The granddaughter of Dwight D. Eisenhower is not a Republican or a Democrat, but an American, she tells those at Invesco Field.
Susan Eisenhower traces her roots back to the 18th Century, and tells the audience she grew up in Gettysburg, where Abraham Lincoln gave his historic address.
“On the killing fields of Pickett’s charge, our country came of age and assured for all time that our nation would survive as one,” Eisenhower quotes, then draws comparisons to the problems society faces today.
“The divisions in our country are deep and wide,” Eisenhower said. “Our cohesiveness as a nation is strained by multiple crises in finance and credit, energy and health care.”
The staggering national debt that children and grandchildren will have to pay off, Eisenhower said, “is a moral failing.”
Eisenhower called for “a new and compelling vision for the 21st Century.”
She then drew an example from her grandfather’s administration, saying that he was at one point under fire for moving too slowly in response to political pressure. Robert Frost then wrote of Ike, “the strong are saying nothing until they see.”
Obama “has the energy and temperament to lead this country,” Eisenhower said.
She then cited Lincoln again, “We shall nobly save, or meanly lose, the last best hope of the earth,” and added “Let us restore the hope and bring the change that our nation needs.”
