MOLINE, Ill. — He’s been campaigning for more than 19 months, but Barack Obama said Monday voters still need to get to know him — a goal he hopes to achieve when he accepts the Democratic nomination in three days.
Obama said he wants to accomplish two things in his acceptance speech Thursday night: clearly distinguish himself from Republican John McCain and “convey” to Americans who he is.
“During the course of a 19-month campaign, you’re on the television screen, you’re in big auditoriums, but sometimes who you are may get lost,” he said. “I want people to come away saying, ‘Whether I’m voting for the guy or against the guy, I know what he stands for. I know where he comes from.’ ”
In 2004, Democratic nominee John Kerry was criticized for being too soft on President Bush and the Republicans at the Democratic convention. However, Obama also risks being perceived as too harsh.
The Illinois senator said he will avoid being too negative in drawing contrasts with McCain by focusing on his agenda, which includes health care, energy and education. And he plans on delivering a “workmanlike speech” that doesn’t contain a lot of “high rhetoric.”
