In no other country on earth is my story even possible.—Barack Obama, July 27, 2004On July 27, 2004, Illinois State Senator Barack Obama delivered the keynote speech at the Democratic National Convention. He said, “Tonight isa particular honor for me because, let’s face it, my presence on this stage ispretty unlikely.” When he finished his speech, the audience that listenedwith rapt attention excitedly waved their arms, hats, and signs, thrilledwith what they had just heard. Afterward, those watching on televisionsaid that they had stood and cheered, many admitting they danced. Somewondered what had just happened. For many Democrats, the speech waselectrifying and inspiring; for them, it was a joyful time. And those fromthe other side of the political aisle who watched and listened had to agree:this fresh face, this politico, unknown to nearly everyone in the country outside of his home state of Illinois, had just delivered a remarkablespeech. Many asked, who is this man and where did he come from? Theyasked why he was selected to deliver such an important speech at theDemocratic National Convention at a time described by many as a verycontentious time in U.S. politics.In the speech that evening—a speech that he wrote himself and delivered without the use of a teleprompter—Barack Obama introducedhimself by first describing his father, born and raised in a small village inKenya, and his paternal grandfather, a cook and domestic servant who,he said, had big dreams for his son. He told the immense crowd that hisfather, through hard work and perseverance, earned a scholarship to studyin a magical place called America, which to his Kenyan countrymen was aplace of freedom and opportunity. Barack told the excited crowd that Julyevening that his maternal grandfather worked on oil rigs and farms dur-ing the Depression and, just after Pearl Harbor, joined the army, and thathis grandmother, while raising their baby, worked on a bomber assemblyline during the war. He described how his grandparents moved west fromKansas, seeking opportunities, ultimately moving to Hawaii. They too,he said, had big dreams for their daughter. He said his parents met whilestudying at the University of Hawaii and that they shared not only an improbable love, but also an abiding faith in the possibilities of this nation.Barack said that this country’s pride is based on a simple premise, summedup in the Declaration of Independence, as “the true genius of America, afaith in the simple dreams of its people, the insistence on small miracles.”The speech that evening undeniably catapulted this state senator fromIllinois onto the national political scene. If Americans hadn’t heard ofhim before, they certainly knew about him now.Barack Obama says that his story could take place only in America. Heoften adds that, like his parents and grandparents, anyone can achievesuccess through hard work and scholarship. His story is filled with goodfortune, hard work, and a very good education. It is also a story of diversity of heritage that he is proud of—that is, after he came to understandand accept it.In the United States, many political leaders throughout history havecome from powerful families. For Barack Obama, this is far from the truth.His upbringing was in humble circumstances, and, while he doesn’t fitany typical political mold, he is already considered by many to be one ofthe most dynamic figures in U.S. politics. His oratory skills, direct style,and ability to communicate are often compared with those of AbrahamLincoln, John F. Kennedy, and Robert Kennedy.Barack Obama is truly a rising political star in the United States. Withan African first name that means “blessed,” his name is often mispronounced and sometimes ridiculed. However seemingly blessed, he statesthat he is meant to serve and to lead, and perhaps someday be presidentof the United States.