By David W. Burns
July 14, 2008

Making his first appearance at any United States Conference of Mayors meeting, presumptive Democratic Presidential Nominee Senator Barack Obama (IL) addressed the mayors on June 21, recounting his relationship with our nation’s cities and outlining his "metropolitan strategy for America."

"This is something of a homecoming for me. Because while I stand here today as a candidate for President of the United States, I will never forget that the most important experience in my life came when I was doing what you do each day — working at the local level to bring about change in our communities," said Obama.

Obama’s usual message of change was mixed with his own personal experiences of dealing with issues at the local level. In doing so, he mentioned the importance of action at the local level rather than the federal level.

"As some of you may know, after college, I went to work with a group of churches as a community organizer in Chicago — so I could help lift up neighborhoods that were struggling after the local steel plants closed. And it taught me a fundamental truth that I carry with me to this day — that in this country, change comes not from the top-down, but from the bottom-up," said Obama.

Obama took time to challenge his presumptive Republican Presidential Opponent Senator John McCain (AZ). Obama mentioned that McCain is lacking a true agenda to improve metropolitan areas.

"His priorities are very different from yours and mine. At a time when you’re facing budget deficits and looking to Washington for the support you need, he isn’t proposing a strategy for America’s cities. Instead, he’s calling for nearly $2 trillion in tax breaks for big corporations and the wealthiest Americans — and yet he’s actually opposed more funding for the COPS program and the Community Development Block Grant program," said Obama.

Obama also challenged conventional Washington behavior and how, despite inaction from the top, it was the mayors of the country that were making the difference in our nation by taking leadership over issues that the federal government has neglected.

"Despite the absence of leadership in Washington, we’re actually seeing a rebirth in many places. I’m thinking of my friend Rich Daley, who’s made a deep and lasting difference in the quality of life for millions of Chicagoans. I’m thinking of Mayor Cownie, who’s working to make his city green; Mayor Bloomberg, who’s fighting to turn around the nation’s largest school system; Mayor Rybak, who’s done an extraordinary job helping the Twin Cities recover from the bridge collapse last year; and so many other mayors across this country, who are finding new ways to lift up their communities," Obama said.

Inspired by the good work that mayors are doing across the country, Obama embarked on his change mantra that has become so famous over the last year. He promised that if he was elected president, he would be a partner in the White House and work to address the federal-local relationship by proclaiming he would be the first president to appoint a White House Director of Urban Policy.

Obama concluded his address by saying, "Throughout our history, it’s been our cities that have helped tell the American story. It was Boston that rose up against an empire, and Philadelphia where liberty first rung out; it was St. Louis that opened a gateway west, and Houston that launched us to the stars; it was the Motor City that built the middle class; Miami that built a bridge to the Americas; and New York that showed the world one clear September morning that America stands together in times of trial. That’s the proud tradition our cities uphold. That’s the story our cities have helped write. And if you’re willing to work with me and fight with me and stand with me this fall, then I promise you this — we will not only rebuild and renew our American cities, north and south, east and west, but you and I — together — will rebuild and renew the promise of America."