(CNSNews.com) - Sen. Barack Obama did not mention Martin Luther King’s name as he accepted the Democratic presidential nomination Thursday night on the 45th anniversary of Dr. King’s famous “I Have a Dream” speech.
Obama referred only to “a young preacher from Georgia,” who “45 years ago today brought Americans from every corner of this land to stand together on a Mall in Washington” where he spoke of his dream.
“’We cannot walk alone,’ the preacher cried. ‘And as we walk, we must make the pledge that we shall always march ahead. We cannot turn back,’” Obama later quoted “the preacher” as saying.
The omission of King’s name offended some African-Americans. "It looks like he's running from history," the Associated Press quoted Dr. Cornel West, a professor of African-American studies and religion at Princeton University, as saying after the speech.
"He couldn't mention Martin, he couldn't mention the civil rights movement, he couldn't mention those who sacrificed and gave so much,” West said. “It's very, very difficult to actually create a new world if you don't acknowledge the world from which you are emerging."
The Rev. Jesse Jackson told the Associated Press that King's most famous speech was being "reduced to a sound bite."
‘America’s promise’
Obama’s speech focused on “American promise,” which he defined as the notion that Americans -- “through hard work and sacrifice” -- can pursue their individual dreams but still come together as “one American family.”
Later in the speech, Obama repeated the definition this way: “That's the promise of America -- the idea that we are responsible for ourselves, but that we also rise or fall as one nation; the fundamental belief that I am my brother's keeper; I am my sister's keeper.”
He said the American promise is threatened, and he said the federal government has an obligation to help people who need it.
Government cannot solve all our problems, Obama said -- “but what it should do is that which we cannot do for ourselves -- protect us from harm and provide every child a decent education; keep our water clean and our toys safe; invest in new schools and new roads and new science and technology.
“Our government … should ensure opportunity not just for those with the most money and influence, but for every American who's willing to work.”
Enough
“Tonight, I say to the American people, to Democrats and Republicans and Independents across this great land -- enough! This moment -- this election -- is our chance to keep, in the 21st century, the American promise alive.”
Obama said a McCain administration would be a continuation of the failed Bush-Cheney policies. “On November 4th, we must stand up and say: "Eight (years) is enough."
It’s not that John McCain doesn’t care about what’s going on in Americans’ lives -- “I just think he doesn’t know,” Obama said.
“For over two decades, he's subscribed to that old, discredited Republican philosophy -- give more and more to those with the most and hope that prosperity trickles down to everyone else. In Washington, they call this the Ownership Society, but what it really means is -- you're on your own. Out of work? Tough luck. No health care? The market will fix it. Born into poverty? Pull yourself up by your own bootstraps -- even if you don't have boots. You're on your own.”
Obama said Democrats define progress by how many people can find jobs, save money, and start their own business.