In Washington, they call this the ownership society. But what it means is, you're on your own....

....Well, it's time for them to own their failure.

Lots of applause here in the Big Tent.

Update by georgia10:  I suspect the reaction here in the Big Tent is similar to the reaction in your living rooms or at the watch parties you're at.  Cheers, clapping, and an overwhelming sense of relief that, yes folks, this is the Obama we've been waiting for.

We love this country too much to let the next four years be like the last eight.

I don't know about you, but I'm not about to take a 10% chance on change.

Update by georgia10:  This is one of Obama's most aggressive speeches. And no praise for McCain. Summer break is over, folks. Welcome to the general election.

Let's get ready to rumble....

Update by georgia10:  The biography of Obama was stirring.  It hit on all the right themes:  the importance of family, the power of the American dream, the way we are shaped both by our background and circumstance as well as the individual choices we make.  

The Obama presented in this video is the Obama we've know here in Illinois for years, and the Obama we as a nation are now embracing.  The family man, the deliberate thinker, the guy who reflects just as deeply on the road traveled behind him as he does on the path forward.  

It is difficult to describe what makes Obama's life story so compelling.  Like all of us who stumble along in life, towards some end where we feel that we'll leave some imprint on this earth, like all of us who have lived through the last eight years knowing that the promise of something more was on the horizon, Obama has shown that the doors of democracy don't open just for the mega-rich or the well-connected. That anyone, even the skinny black kid with the funny name, can in this great country before 75,000 and accept the Democratic nomination.

Former Republican Barney Smith:

Republicans talk about putting “country first,” but tell that to Marion, Indiana. They sent my job overseas.

America can’t afford more of the same. We need a president who puts the Barney Smiths before the Smith Barneys.

I’m going to put country first by voting Barack Obama for president.

The heartland needs change. And with Obama, we’re going to get it.

As an Illinois resident, I am doubly proud tonight as Senator Dick Durbin takes the stage to introduce the junior Senator from Illinois--and the next president of the United States.  And as we reflect on Durbin's introduction and wait to hear from our nominee, here is something to give us some more perspective on this awesome moment:

Durbin said at the 2000 Democratic national convention, Obama could not even get a credential to get onto the convention floor. Now, he'll be addressing roughly 75,000 at Invesco Field and millions at home Thursday night. When Obama ran the idea of running for president by Durbin and exhibited some reserve about running for the highest office in the land, Durbin said he told Obama to embrace the situation he found himself in.

"Sometimes you can pick the moment, but sometimes the moment picks you," Durbin said.

The Land of Lincoln is beaming tonight as two of its finest share the stage on what is a historic night on many levels.