Obama's call

In his convention-closing speech Barack Obama stirred Democrats and laid out specific presidential goals

In his typically calm and eloquent style, Barack Obama rallied the faithful in Denver and attempted to win over the doubters among independents and Republicans in the rest of America. He told his audience as he accepted his party's nomination for president -- becoming the first major-party African-American nominee -- that the election was not about politicians, but about the people.

He did not linger on problems, but on the promise of new thinking and a new style of governing. And he was specific about his goals in lifting the nation out of recession and curing the ills and side effects of the George Bush presidency.

He emphasized tax cuts for ordinary working -families, contrasting them with the tax cuts for the wealthy supported by his opponent, Republican John McCain. He promised another economic stimulus effort to help small businesses and the middle class.

He wants a tax credit to pay college costs, or some of them, for students who do community service. He vows to invest in alternative energy to end dependence on oil from the Middle East. He said he would boost health insurance availability for all. And he said he would work harder to muster international cooperation on dealing with the world's hotspots.

There were specifics in terms of paying for his objectives: a windfall profits tax on oil companies, line-by-line budget cutting of wasteful government programs, higher taxes on the wealthy to cover his health insurance initiative, with employers who didn't provide health coverage plans paying into a national fund to help the uninsured.

To be sure, Obama's goals are lofty and the means to his ends may be difficult to attain. But high aspirations have always been part of presidential campaigns. Part of a president's job is to inspire people, to build their confidence in themselves and their country, to engage them in a spirit of "we're all in this together." It's a test of leadership that a successful president must pass.

Because of the budget deficit, swollen under President Bush, it will be difficult for Obama to make good on all of his promises. But he at least is ready to grapple with problems, the answers to which have long been delayed, such as energy and oil dependence and health care.

For example: as the price of gasoline has put a tremendous burden on middle-class people and small business owners, Bush has done little in response. His stimulus package consisted of sending people a check and encouraging them to spend it. His response to the mortgage crisis was slow and pitiful.

Along with the need for fundamental change in Washington, Obama in his campaign has emphasized his connection with people, drawn from his background as one raised by a single mother who was blessed with opportunity and had the drive to take advantage of it.

Obama has lived the American Dream. The centerpiece of his campaign is essentially his desire to give others the chance to live it, too.