By David Welna, NPR
Boston, MA – Illinois U.S. Senate hopeful Barack Obama stepped into the national spotlight at the Democratic Convention Tuesday night.
He filled his 17-minute keynote address with reasons why he thinks John Kerry should be President. Obama also told delegates that voters everywhere realize that government cannot solve all of their problems.
Touching on an idea that has become a leitmotif of the convention, Obama urged Americans to recognize that they are united and connected, saying that the struggles and suffering of any citizen affects the entire country.
Obama returned to that theme often in his speech, calling for Americans to imbue their children with a sense of self-worth and inspire hope in one another.
To hear Obama's speech in full, or to hear a report from NPR's David Welna about the speech (which aired on Wednesday's Morning Edition), click here.