The following day Carter told state and local officials during a reception at Sheraton Centre Hotel that " Last night after one of the greatest speeches I have ever heard I called Senator Kennedy and told him how much I appreciated it . Ours is a nation , ours is a party well-represented by thousands of people like you who believe in the greatness of the United States , and who believe in openness , debate , controversy , courage , conviction and who believe in their future , and are not afraid to express your will in the most open , democratic and greatest party on earth . I 'm grateful to you for that . " The speech is considered the most famous of Kennedy 's senatorial career and laid the foundation for the modern Democratic Party 's platform . Schlesinger would write in his diary that he " had never heard Ted deliver a better speech . " Former campaign aide Joe Trippi later said , " In a lot of ways , a whole country of young people were inspired that day . " It is often considered to be one of the most effective political orations of the time period . It was ranked as the 76th best American speech of the 20th century in a 1999 survey of academics . According to Robert S. McElvaine , " It was a great speech to read or to hear in the arena , but it was considerably less effective on television . " Kennedy referenced his words during the endorsement he made for Barack Obama at the 2008 Democratic National Convention , saying , " the work begins anew , the hope rises again and the dream lives on "
2008 Democratic National Convention
2008 Democratic National Convention
The Dream Shall Never Die