Hope, change, the need for new leadership and creating a united America were the focus of Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama’s speech to a crowd of more than 14,000 at DU last Wednesday. The crowd filled Magness Arena, overflowing into Hamilton Gymnasium and the lacrosse field across from the Ritchie Center.

The Illinois senator believes it is time for America to make major changes and reverse the “disastrous policies of the current administration.”

Obama said that the strength of the Democratic Party lies in its persistent focus on the future and the individual’s ability to bring about change.

“The magic of the Democratic Party has always been…that we stood up and said we will write our own future. It will be what we want it to be,” Obama said.

He praised other Democratic candidates, including John Edwards, who dropped out of the race earlier that morning. Edwards “gave a voice to the voiceless,” Obama said, and made Americans believe “we can achieve one America.”

The Democratic National Convention will be held in Denver in August.

“If you put your trust in me, I will stand up at that convention and say our divisions are behind us…our time for change has come,” Obama said.

“I am running for president because I don’t believe that we need small change. I believe we need fundamental change.”

He sees new leadership as a necessary means to changing America’s future.

“In America, the future is not what someone tells us it is…the future is what we decide it’s going to be.”

One of the major changes Obama hopes to make is to remove troops from Iraq as soon as he takes office.

Stressing his opposition to this war from day one, Obama stated,

“I will end this war.”

He also promised to increase the country’s commitment to Afghanistan and end the fight against al-Qaeda. “I would not hesitate to strike against those who would do us harm,” pledged the senator, but “We need a commander-in-chief who will deploy our military wisely.”

“I will challenge conventional thinking that says we can’t conduct diplomacy with leaders we don’t like,” Obama added.

Obama also proposed to expand unemployment insurance, increase teachers’ salaries and make health care and education affordable for all Americans.

He recommended a $4,000 tuition credit for college students in exchange for service work.

The senator also pledged to put workers first, instead of banks and big businesses. He would give tax breaks to the working people, not companies.

He also addressed the issue of climate change, pledging his commitment to addressing the problem.

“We won’t wait any longer to start doing something about global warming,” Obama said. “Together we can solve the issue of climate change.”

His plans include charging polluters, increasing standards for cars and investing billions of dollars into alternative energy sources.

Caroline Kennedy, daughter of the late President John F. Kennedy, introduced Obama. She said Obama “will fight to give every child a world-class education” and “restore our commitment to civil rights and equality.” Obama is the “one candidate who offers that same sense of hope” as her father did almost 50 years ago, said Kennedy. Obama quoted President Kennedy several time during his speech.

Denver Broncos wide receiver Rod Smith, former Sen. Gary Hart and former Denver mayor Federico Pena were also in attendance.

Obama was in Denver rallying support in advance of Super Tuesday (primaries and caucuses, when 22 states, including Colorado, will cast ballots in both the Democratic and Republican presidential races.