John Edwards' Concession Speech:

[DjTj]

Thank you all so much for being here. I have never loved my country more than I do today. You know, the truth is, all my life, America has smiled at me and today I am smiling right back!

More than anything, I love the American people. The people I have listened to; the people I have embraced, the people who made me laugh, inspired me, inspired you. People who made me think. People who have made me reach.

* * *

But I want to say a word about a man who is a friend of mine, somebody who I believe has great strength and great courage, my friend Senator John Kerry. He has fought for and will continue to fight for the things that all of us believe in: more jobs, better health care, cleaner air, cleaner water, a safer world. The truth is these are the causes of our party, the Democratic Party. They are the causes of America. And they are the reasons we will prevail, come November, and take back this country.

You know, it wasn't very long ago that all the pundits and pollsters said, by the time we get to “Super Tuesday,” there won't be a John even competing much less fighting for the nomination. And we proved those pundits and pollsters wrong and we are going to prove them all wrong come November when we take back this country.

And I want to say a personal word about my friend John Kerry, who I know very well. This is a man who from the time he served this country courageously in Vietnam, and all the way through this campaign, is a man who is a fighter. I know him. I saw what we went through in November, December, and back in the summer when everyone said he didn't have a chance. But he showed the strength, resilience, and courage that he has shown his entire life when he fought for us and for our country in Vietnam. He has fought just as hard throughout this campaign.

The truth of the matter is that John Kerry has what it takes, right here in his heart, to be president of the United States. And I for one, intend to do everything in my power to make him the next president of the United States, and I ask you to join me in this cause. For our country, for our America!

* * *

As I leave this stage today, I leave it to you to make certain that in our American, our children can prosper and dream. This cause, this challenge to change America, belongs to you. You should not step back. You should step up.

It is up to you to make certain that in our American, our children can prosper and reach and dream.

It is up to you to choose a president who will end our two Americas so that every child can have the same chance I had.

It is up to you to make sure that the 35 million Americans living in poverty are never ignored again.

It is up to you to make this generation the generation that grows up in an America that is no longer divided by race.

It is up to you to demand a campaign that is about attacking people’s problems, not politicians attacking one another.

Those of you who cast your votes for me cast your votes for a new kind of politics. You wanted a positive campaign and you got one for a change.

* * *

Like most Americans, in my life, I have learned two great lessons: one that there will always be heartache and struggle, and two, that people of strong will can make a difference. One lesson is sad, and the other is inspiring. And what makes us Americans is that we choose to be inspired

We can change America so that the America I love, the America you love can be again that bright, shining star, that beacon that stirs our hearts when we hear our anthem or see our flag. We can make it so. We are greater and stronger than anything that stands between us and that destiny.

We should never settle for less than our highest aspirations in our leaders and for our country. Because we are America - where all things are possible.

And our message today is this: we want to change America and we will!


Read the whole thing here:

http://www.johnedwards2004.com/page.asp?id=743

[littlejoe]

1. I had the honor of watching it, and was proud of the class he showed.

[Carni]

2. He did an excellent job

I REALLY hope Edwards is the VP nominee

[DjTj]

6. I hope so too. (nt)

[UrbScotty]

3. I get emotional over candidates' final campaign speeches.

I remember Gephardt's speech, and how emotional he got.

Of course I remember Dean's exit speech, too.

It's a darn shame they can't all be President one day. Well, I guess it's possdible; the odds are just very astronomical.

[spooky3]

12. Lieberman's was good too.

[Fenris]

4. Good God that man is positive!

Thank you all so much for being here. I have never loved my country more than I do today. You know, the truth is, all my life, America has smiled at me and today I am smiling right back!

How upbeat!

[DjTj]

5. So upon listening to the speech again...

I found that it was substantially different from the text on the web page, which was really only talking points. Here's the ending as delivered:

In my life I have learned two great lessons: one is that there will always be heartache and struggle, and the other, that people of strong will can make a difference. One lesson is sad, and the other inspiring. I choose to be inspired.

The America I love, the America you love can once be again that bright, shining star, that beacon that stirs our hearts when we hear our anthem or see our flag. We can make it so. We are better and stronger, you and I together locked hand in hand, we are better and stronger than anything that stands between us and our destiny.

We should never settle for less than our highest aspirations in our leaders and for our country. Because we are America - where everything is possible - everything is possible every single day.

Our message today for the rest of America is this: we want to change America, we will change America, and we will create an America that finally, once and for all, works for everybody.

[katieforeman]

10. I love the first line you quoted here especially

about the two great lessons. I remember this from his book.

I'm going to quote that in response to any of the posts saying we should just give up now that Kerry is the nominee or to anybody who tells me why bother voting.

John Kerry is a good man too. We fought a good fight for Edwards. We lost that battle but we can't afford to give up now and submit to 4 more years of Bush. in the spirit of Edwards we must not give into cynicism or apathy.

[question everything]

7. I watched him giving it and was proud, again, to voted for him

and to contribute.

I am sure that this is not the last that we will see him or hear from him, as V.P. or in other capacity.

Thank you, Senator Edwards. You injected a sense of honor and compassion to the campaign. It was an honor to be in your camp, and I was honored to shake your hand during a recent visit.

[ngGale]

8. While on CNN with his speech he still looked like a winner and...

I have a feeling he will always be a winner.:-) As tears streamed down my face--I said now, there is a real leader.

[PurityOfEssence]

9. I was crying

It was decent of CNN to run the whole thing, even though it took out almost all of Crossfire.

Don't count on him being the VP; I don't think Kerry likes him much, and I don't think he quite "gets" him. That's not necessarily a bad thing either, Edwards will go into the wilderness now, and he'll be a major lightning rod for the future.

Much as Kerry may not quite appreciate him, I wouldn't be the least bit surprised if he taps him for some place in his administration, should he win. That, lest we forget, is not a foregone conclusion.

People who question his heart and sincerity are beyond me; his is the stuff of greatness: he was brave, sweet and big about the whole thing, and I look forward to his next move.

I have seriously mixed emotions; I feel that this is the biggest mistake made by the Democratic Party in my lifetime, and that he was the best candidate we've had in our midst since LBJ in '64. I also fear the vulnerabilities of Kerry and the media blitz. Hopefully, I'm wrong.

[spooky3]

14. well put; I completely agree.

[bread_and_roses]

11. This is very good

"It is up to you to choose a president who will end our two Americas so that every child can have the same chance I had.

It is up to you to make sure that the 35 million Americans living in poverty are never ignored again.

It is up to you to make this generation the generation that grows up in an America that is no longer divided by race."

I'll say again, though I did not support him, his "two Americas" theme has been the most powerful message to come out of the Primary...people GET IT instantly. I hope Kerry will pick up on it, it's true and it's a winner.

JE has shown grace and style in his campaign.

[spooky3]

13. Thank you, DjTj. It's very sad, but I hope JRE will enjoy some extended

time off with his family.

[quinnox]

15. John Edwards always had the best message

To take on Bush. Is it basically class warfare? Yes, but so what. It's true, and Kerry has been starting incorporating some of these themes into his campaign. The repubs always yell "class warfare!" because this is what they are really afraid of, IMHO. They are vulnerable on this one with Bush, ultra-taskmaster for the super rich, in power.

[molly]

16. It was great - and very moving and positive!

:toast:

:kick: :kick: :kick: :kick:

[jmoss]

17. I wrote this letter to Senator Kerry; Re: VP selection

March 3, 2004

Dear Senator Kerry,

I am a born & raised New Yorker (Bethpage, NY), who graduated from UNC-Chapel Hill, and now lives in North Carolina with my wife of 2years. Senator Edwards' announcement as a presidential candidate, emergence as a contender, and subsequent solidification as an eloquent, powerful, national-public figure has meant so very much to my family and me.

I support your campaign 100%. My entire family and I, both here and in New York, WILL be voting for you--regardless of whom you ask to be your running mate.

The reality, however, is that the Tar Heel State, for reasons unbeknownst to me, has traditionally voted democratic for Governor, but GOP for President.

I am writing to you, with my heart on the table, asking you to strongly consider selecting Senator Edwards to run for Vice President, along side you in this campaign.

Granted he only "won" 1 Primary. But I hope and pray that you consider the unexpected success he generated, and the buzz that has been created about him, particularly in key swing States as TN, GA & OH. And all else equal to the outcomes of the 2000 election, is that if the Honorable John Kerry & the Honorable John Edwards were to run in NC, together, THIS could become an unexpected "blue" State come November. That would have been enough “swing” for Vice President Gore, and could win you the White House!

Beyond the data you and your advisors consult on such decisions, rest assured--John Edwards is "very" popular down here. I won't quantify that for you--yet, just ask that you consider this as fact.

In closing, I want to pass on our deepest congratulations on a fantastic campaign. The only other person I ever wanted to win the nomination besides Sen. Edwards was you!

Sincerely,
J.Moss
-Special Ed. Teacher, age 27

[DjTj]

18. Great letter!

You should send it to Senator Johnson too, who is heading up the VP Search committee.