Article: Obama's stump speech plays to fears, hopes

As Barack Obama paces before 15,000 people with a hand-held microphone, it's easy to assume his 30-minute talk is more or less a free-associating string of talking points and applause lines.

In fact, it's a carefully organized four-part argument.

Obama delivers it without notes or changes from week to week. A campaign centerpiece for 19 months, the full-blown stump speech probably has done more than anything to rocket him to fame and to a lead over Republican John McCain in some national polls.

Obama has modified the speech over time, testing new lines and adapting to political events. The biggest change came when he finally secured the Democratic nomination and was able ...

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