The Honorable Ken Salazar
Democratic National Convention
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
Remarks as Prepared for Delivery

Welcome to Colorado. Welcome to the West, where we're building the new Democratic majority. Over four centuries ago, before the Pilgrims and the Puritans, before Jamestown and Plymouth, my ancestors came to this land and founded the city of Santa Fe, New Mexico. They named it Santa Fe, the City of Holy Faith, because they knew that only faith could secure a brighter future for themselves and for their children.

For five generations, my family has farmed the same land in Colorado's San Luis Valley, 250 miles from here. Together they raised eight children on our farm. We were poor, with no electricity and no telephone, but all eight of us became first generation college graduates. My parents gave us the covenant of America, the covenant that binds us together as one nation: that no matter who you are or where you're from, anything is possible in America.

Just 500 miles southeast of here, in El Dorado, Kansas, another mother instilled that same dream in her son, Barack Obama. Barack Obama's grandfather defended that dream as a soldier in General Patton's army. Barack Obama's father followed that dream to an America of freedom and opportunity. For Barack Obama, that dream runs deep and strong.

But for the last eight years, under the failed policies of George Bush, the American dream has been slipping away. For too many American families, no matter how hard you work, no matter how hard you try, you just can't get ahead. The White House has turned its back on you.

The rural America I know has become a forgotten America. We can't afford more of the same.

We can't afford four more years of letting the American dream fade. We can't afford four more years of forgetting the middle class. We can't afford four more years of George Bush policies with John McCain.

The time has come for a president who has lived the American dream, who is on our side. A president who will cut our dependence on foreign oil and lead us into the new energy frontier.

A president who will make us stronger and safer as Americans. A president who will make health care available to every American. A president who will make sure that no matter who you are, no matter where you're from, if you work hard, you too can live the American dream.

That is the president that Barack Obama will be. That is why I proudly second the nomination of Barack Obama for President of the United States of America.

Thank you! God bless America!