f those defining moments - a moment when our nation is at war, our economy is in turmoil and the American promise has been threatened once more," Obama told the Democratic National Convention crowd. "This moment - this election - is our chance to keep, in the 21st century, the American promise alive."

Obama stood amid a crowd of 80,000 Democrats, reporters and spectators who had come to witness history as he became the first black nominated by his party to be president.


Millions more watched the televised event in living rooms across America in a speech that was delivered amid high expectations because of its critical importance in launching the next phase of Obama's presidential campaign.

Obama swatted aside accusations that he is weak on foreign policy, pledging to rebuild the military, end the war in Iraq and finish the job in Afghanistan.

"We are the party of Roosevelt. We are the party of Kennedy," he said. "So don't tell me that Democrats won't defend this country. Don't tell me that Democrats won't keep us safe.

"As commander-in-chief, I will never hesitate to defend this nation, but I will only send our troops into harm's way with a clear mission and a sacred commitment to give them the equipment they need in battle and the care and benefits they deserve when they come home," he said. "I will end this war in Iraq responsibly, and finish the fight against al-Qaeda and the Taliban in Afghanistan."

He also boldly brushed off Republican criticism that he would be a tax-and-spend Democrat, pledging to cut capital gains taxes for small businesses and put more money in Americans' pockets.

"I will cut taxes - cut taxes - for 95 percent of all working families," he said. "Because in an economy like this, the last thing we should do is raise taxes on the middle class."

He also went on the offensive, sharply criticizing President Bush and Vice President Dick Cheney, urging the need to end the GOP's reign in Washington.

"America, we are better than these last eight years. We are a better country than this," he said in remarks prepared for release last night. "Next week, in Minnesota, the same party that brought you two terms of George Bush and Dick Cheney will ask this country for a third.

"And we are here because we love this country too much to let the next four years look just like the last eight. On November 4th, we must stand up and say: 'Eight is enough.' "

Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick, beaming with enthusiasm for his friend, made his way through the throngs of supporters crammed onto the stadium field and called the event "amazing."

"We saw a leader tonight and the next president of the United States," Patrick said after the speech.

Bay State Sen. John Kerry, the party's 2004 nominee, pronounced Obama's performance "superb."

"He was just tremendous," Kerry said. "He did everything he had to do...

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He was, indeed, tremendous. He was clear, straight, on top of every line and as Presidential as any man who ever sat in the Oval Office.

A