Obama speech inspires fans and turns off Republicans

By Matthew Bigg

DENVER (Reuters) - Supporters of Barack Obama found the inspiration they were seeking in the Democratic nominee's prime-time speech on Thursday but many Republicans said it only compounded their concerns about him.

Phyllis Ring, 81, of Fort Collins, Colorado, watched the speech from her wheelchair in the end zone of Denver's Invesco football stadium. She said she found the speech "very, very inspirational," adding: "It definitely lived up to my expectations."

She was joined at the mass rally by her friend Alice Buchholz, also 81, of Barrington, Illinois. "I thought it was marvellous. He laid out what he is going to do. It's not going to be easy but he is going to try."

The speech gave Obama an opportunity to state the case for why he should be elected over Republican John McCain in November to succeed President George W. Bush.

Obama, who would be the first black American president, delivered a hard-hitting address vowing to renew his vision of the American Dream.

"Individual responsibility and mutual responsibility. That's the essence of America's promise," he said.

Obama spoke to two audiences -- the one in the stadium, which was filled with passionate, flag-waving supporters as well as curious onlookers -- and millions more who tuned in to watch on television.

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