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During his victory speech in Raleigh, NC Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama made the first overtures towards reuniting the Democratic Party.

“Well I’m here tonight to tell you that I don’t believe it. Yes, there have been bruised feelings on both sides. Yes, each side desperately wants their candidate to win. But ultimately, this race is not about Hillary Clinton or Barack Obama or John McCain. This election is about you – the American people – and whether we will have a president and a party that can lead us toward a brighter future,” Obama said.

He tried to remind Democrats about the history of their party, “This primary season may not be over, but when it is, we will have to remember who we are as Democrats – that we are the party of Jefferson and Jackson; of Roosevelt and Kennedy; and that we are at our best when we lead with principle; when we lead with conviction; when we summon an entire nation around a common purpose – a higher purpose.”

He continued, “This fall, we intend to march forward as one Democratic Party, united by a common vision for this country. Because we all agree that at this defining moment in history – a moment when we’re facing two wars, an economy in turmoil, a planet in peril – we can’t afford to give John McCain the chance to serve out George Bush’s third term. We need change in America.”

This was a different tone from Obama tonight. He sounded like a nominee taking the first steps towards healing the bruised feelings caused by a rough primary.

This wasn’t a night for a policy speech, but the Party needs to hear this message of togetherness coming from both candidates, not only the frontrunner. Clinton may barely win in Indiana, but I think the message is clear, Barack Obama is the candidate that a majority of Democrats want to see go against John McCain this fall.

Read the full text of his speech:

http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/samgrahamfelsen/gGCR2K

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