“A Defining Moment”
Remarks by Senator Barack Obama
Sixty-oneyears ago, the United Statesfaced a powerful and ideological enemy intent on world domination. This menacewas magnified by the recently discovered capability to destroy life on anunimaginable scale. The challenge facing the greatestgeneration of Americans ― the generation that had vanquished fascism onthe battlefield ― was how to contain this threat while extendingfreedom’s frontiers. Such a strategy would join overwhelming military strengthwith sound judgment. It would shape events not just through military force, butthrough the force of our ideas; through economic power, intelligence, anddiplomacy. It would support strong allies that freely shared our ideals ofliberty and democracy, open markets,…
