8:46 PM: Obama: Cynics can no longer say 'our hope is false'
Cynics can no longer say "our hope is false" after wins in Virginia and Maryland on Tuesday, Barack Obama told a packed Kohl Center.
Shortly after projections showed he would win Maryland, Obama took the stage before an adoring crowd of more than 17,000. He also won Washington, D.C.
"We know our road will not be easy, but we also know that at this moment the cynics can no longer say that our hope is false," Obama said. "We have now won east and west, north and south and across the heartland of this country."
"Though we won Washington, D.C., this campaign won't stop until there's change in Washington, D.C.," Obama said.
Obama got some of his biggest cheers during the beginning of his speech as he proclaimed the Iraq war never should have been authorized. The crowd topped it when he mentioned George Bush would not be on the ballot in November.
Obama's only stumble of the night was trying to pronounce the name of Madison Mayor Dave Cieslewicz, who endorsed him earlier in the day after initially supporting John Edwards in the race.
Obama called likely GOP presidential nominee John McCain an "American hero" and honored his service to the country.
"But his priorities don't address the real problems of the American people because they are bound to the failed policies of the past," Obama said.
He also said he is the only one who can offer a clear choice with McCain because he opposed the war from the start. The line was a dig at Hillary Clinton, who voted for a resolution authorizing Bush to take military action in Iraq. Obama was not in the U.S. Senate at the time but had spoken out against the war while in the Illinois state Senate.
For much of his speech, Obama spoke of hope and change in Washington, D.C., frequent themes in his campaign appearances. With an arena packed largely with college students, he promised to make college affordable with an annual $4,000 tuition credit for "every student, every year."
"But you won't get it for free, young people. You'll have to invest in community service," he said to applause.
"You will invest in your country. Together, American will move forward. That's what we dream of."
As he wrapped up his less than 30-minute speech, Obama waved to the crowd as Stevie Wonder's "Signed, Sealed, Delivered, I'm Yours" blared over the loudspeakers.
Obama worked the crowd, shaking hands as college students snapped shots with their cell phones.
-- By JR Ross
Labels: 2008 spring primary