NORFOLK, Va. — Barack Obama is known for his eloquent speeches, but as he tries to regain his poll lead and beat back an energized Republican ticket, he is adding something to his delivery: volume.

Obama has uncorked some thunderous lines in recent campaign stops, showing a measure of emotion he seldom has displayed. His speeches now are laced with indignation as he argues that anyone who sees John McCain and Sarah Palin as vehicles for change is being duped.

At high decibels, he pressed his point Monday that people could pay a heavy price if they make the wrong decision Nov. 4. At stake are constitutional liberties that can mean the difference between freedom and unjustified imprisonment, he told the crowd in Farmington Hills, Mich.

"We may think this is Muhammad the terrorist; it might be Muhammad the cabdriver. You may think it's Barack the bomb-thrower. But it might be Barack the guy running for president," he said, referring to the Bush administration's arrest and detention policies toward terrorism suspects.

Then, the loudspeakers really began to quake.

"Don't mock the Constitution. Don't make fun of it! Don't suggest that it's un-American to abide by what the Founding Fathers set up! It's worked pretty well for over 200 years!"

Finally, he said disdainfully of the Republicans: "These people."

Feistiness is what many Democratic elected officials have longed to see.

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