DENVER –Here’s the text of U.S. Sen. Claire McCaskill’s speech as prepared for delivery.

It was well-received in the convention hall. But early indicators are that only C-Span aired her address on TV in St. Louis. If any of you saw it elsewhere, please let us know.

Remarks of Senator Claire McCaskill
Democratic National Convention

It is an honor to stand before you tonight representing the great
state of Missouri.
Missouri is in the middle of our great country.
We have a nice view. From the middle, we see America.
As you look around my state, you see the best of our nation– rich
land, beautiful forests, shimmering lakes, wondrous cities, and most
of all, the people of Missouri – hard working, God loving, family
centered, blessed with an abundance of common sense and a tough streak
of Harry Truman style independence.
We don’t call it the “show me state” for nothing.
Missouri is a place where our country comes together. We are not a red
state or a blue state – we are proud to be part of the United States.
And this November, I am confident that Missouri will help make Barack
Obama the next President of this country we love.
Barack Obama knows that what unites us as Americans is a belief in the
common dream that in America, anyone can accomplish anything. He
believes in our stories. American stories.
It’s the story of a woman who grew up of modest means in a small
Missouri town. Her dad’s family had the feed mill; her mom’s the
corner drug store. She worked her way through college and law school
waiting tables and went into public service. She now works for
families of modest means as a United States Senator. That is my story,
and it is an American story.
It’s the story of a man who grew up in central Michigan where he
worked at his family’s shoe store. He worked his way through school
while playing football at a small college, and started from scratch to
build a successful small business. That’s my husband’s story, and it
is an American story.
It’s the story of a woman who grew up in a small apartment on the
South Side of Chicago. Her dad went to work for the city every day at
the water filtration plant, even though he had multiple sclerosis. She
went to school on student loans, and became a working woman raising
two beautiful girls. That’s Michelle Obama’s story, and it is an
American story.
It’s the story of a man who was brought up by a single mom and his
grandparents. He put himself through school with odd jobs,
scholarships and student loans. He took a pass on big money, went to
work helping families devastated by steel plant closings, and
dedicated his life to bringing people together through public service.
Barack Obama’s story is an American story.
In America, all of us come from different places, but we come together
because we want that dream of opportunity for all Americans. That’s
why it’s not just your dream or my dream – it’s the American Dream.
For eight years we have watched our government take care of the few,
the powerful, and the extremely wealthy. We have seen our Dream put at
risk by George Bush’s Washington.
John McCain is running for four more years of the same old politics
and exact same failed policies that we had under George Bush. They did
tax cuts for the wealthiest Americans, they’re doing everything Big
Oil asks for - and look where we are. Come on America, let’s call on
our common sense and stay focused on what’s important. We cannot
choose that path again. That’s a risk the American people cannot
afford to take.
I have seen Barack Obama in the Senate. I’ve been by his side
campaigning in diners and coffee shops. I know he will bring the
change we need in Washington.
I saw him take on both parties to help pass the farthest reaching
ethics reform since Watergate. That’s the change we need.
I saw him run a campaign that hasn’t taken a dime from federal
lobbyists or PACs. That’s the change we need.
I know this son of a single mom will stand up for the dreams of our
daughters. And I know that John McCain won’t.
There is only one candidate in this race who has fought for equal
pay for equal work by America’s women. That candidate is Barack Obama.
There is only one candidate offering real tax relief for the middle
class, health care that is affordable and accessible, and protection
of Social Security today, tomorrow and forever. That candidate is
Barack Obama.
It all depends on how you see America – how clearly you see the best
of America.
John McCain has been in Washington for almost thirty years. Maybe
that’s why he has a campaign run by Washington lobbyists and recently
said the “fundamentals of our economy are strong.”
In Missouri we have a ringside seat to the real America, and I can
assure you it looks much different.
It’s time for someone who understands the real America: the
waitresses, small businessmen, single moms, and truck drivers fighting
to live their dreams.
That’s the America that Barack Obama sees.
He knows our stories because he has lived the American Dream. And
from where I sit in the middle of America, I see a leader who knows
that the American dream is not for a special few – it is for all of
us. Each and every one of us.
You know, a week ago I walked into my 80 year old mother’s room to
find my two daughters there. The three of them were huddled around the
computer. My mother turned and said with a proud smile… “we are
g-chatting with Obama volunteers from all over the state.” Don’t
tell me this campaign is not special.
I have seen Barack Obama bring people together–Democrats, Republicans
and Independents; young and old – he makes us believe, once more, in
the very best of America.
Barack Obama is going to be one great President; a great President for
one great nation – One Nation, Under God, with Liberty and Justice for
all.
Thank you and good night.