Bruce Springsteen backs Obama

• 4th Nov 2008

Bruce Springsteen has pledged his support for Barack Obama.

At Philadelphia's Vote For Change rally, which an estimated 80,000 people attended, Springsteen spoke on how he felt Obama was what America needed to solve its problems, despite the “national tragedies of Katrina, Iraq and our financial crisis.”

“In my job, I travel the world, and occasionally play big stadiums, just like Senator Obama,” Springsteen said. “I've continued to find, wherever I go, America remains a repository of people's hopes, possibilities and desires, and that, despite the terrible erosion to our standing around the world, accomplished by our recent administration, we remain, for many, a house of dreams.

“One thousand George Bush's and one thousand Dick Cheney's will never be able to tear that house down.”

Springsteen continued: “Our sacred house of dreams has been abused, looted and left in a terrible state of disrepair. It needs care, it needs saving, it needs defending against those who would sell it down the river for power or a quick buck. It needs strong arms, hearts and minds.

“It needs someone with Senator Obama's understanding, temperateness, deliberativeness, maturity, compassion, toughness and faith to help us rebuild our house once again.”

The U.S. Presidential election is, of course, tonight (British time) on BBC One from 11.15pm until 6.00am.