‹‹ #8 2004 DNC - Barack Obama

#6 1980 DNC - Ted Kennedy ››

Heading into the 1960 Democratic convention in Los Angeles, Massachusetts Sen. John F. Kennedy was a clear frontrunner for the nomination, but did not have it locked up. Texas Sen. Lyndon Johnson was at the very least a threat, not to mention the possibility of a surge of support for the party's nominee in the last two elections, Adlai Stevenson. Kennedy, of course, went on to secure the nomination and gave his acceptance speech on live television from the L.A. Memorial Coliseum.

"The New Frontier is here whether we seek it or not. Beyond that frontier are uncharted areas of science and space, unsolved problems of peace and war, unconquered problems of ignorance and prejudice, unanswered questions of poverty and surplus. It would be easier to shrink from that new frontier, to look to the safe mediocrity of the past, to be lulled by good intentions and high rhetoric -- and those who prefer that course should not vote for me or the Democratic Party."

(The video below is only the first part of the speech. To see the second part of the speech, click here.)

‹‹ #8 2004 DNC - Barack Obama

#6 1980 DNC - Ted Kennedy ››