|
This is excerpt from speech I attended yesterday @ Broughton High School, in Raleigh (where his late son attended school):
(and I think outlines reasons needs to be our next VP)
"...Today I've decided to suspend my campaign for the presidency of the United States.
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!
Somewhere in America a little boy or little girl plays on a sandy lot. It might be in a mill village like
where I played. It might be in a barrio, or on a farm, or it might be a vacant lot on a city. We want that
child to have big dreams about what he or she can do, where he or she can go.
In this great country, all things should be possible for that child-- as they have been for me.
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.
I couldn't ask for better company today. With the love of my life by my side. To have your life blessed
with four beautiful children, and family and friends, you couldn't ask for anything more.
To my staff and my supporters, thank you from the bottom of my heart. I will never forget all of your
hard work and all that you did to help change your country. To everyone who gave their time, their heart,
and their soul to this campaign, thank you. You deserve nothing short of a huge round of applause!
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! ...."
|
Printer-friendly format
Email this thread to a friend
Bookmark this thread
(252 posts)
Send PM |
Profile |
Ignore
