Wednesday, November 05, 2008

a new day

"...There will be setbacks and false starts. There are many who won't agree with every decision or policy I make as president. And we know the government can't solve every problem.

But I will always be honest with you about the challenges we face. I will listen to you, especially when we disagree. And, above all, I will ask you to join in the work of remaking this nation, the only way it's been done in America for 221 years -- block by block, brick by brick, calloused hand by calloused hand.

What began 21 months ago in the depths of winter cannot end on this autumn night.

This victory alone is not the change we seek. It is only the chance for us to make that change. And that cannot happen if we go back to the way things were.

It can't happen without you, without a new spirit of service, a new spirit of sacrifice.

So let us summon a new spirit of patriotism, of responsibility, where each of us resolves to pitch in and work harder and look after not only ourselves but each other.

Let us remember that, if this financial crisis taught us anything, it's that we cannot have a thriving Wall Street while Main Street suffers.

In this country, we rise or fall as one nation, as one people. Let's resist the temptation to fall back on the same partisanship and pettiness and immaturity that has poisoned our politics for so long.

Let's remember that it was a man from this state who first carried the banner of the Republican Party to the White House, a party founded on the values of self-reliance and individual liberty and national unity.

Those are values that we all share. And while the Democratic Party has won a great victory tonight, we do so with a measure of humility and determination to heal the divides that have held back our progress.

As Lincoln said to a nation far more divided than ours, we are not enemies but friends. Though passion may have strained, it must not break our bonds of affection.

And to those Americans whose support I have yet to earn, I may not have won your vote tonight, but I hear your voices. I need your help. And I will be your president, too.

And to all those watching tonight from beyond our shores, from parliaments and palaces, to those who are huddled around radios in the forgotten corners of the world, our stories are singular, but our destiny is shared, and a new dawn of American leadership is at hand."


Read the full text of Barack Obama's acceptance speech here.

12 comments:

  1. The speech was played in full on the BBC as I was driving to work this morning. You can't steer to well with tears in your eyes.

    I can't wait to hear his inauguration speech.

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  2. Last night I was enthralled when I heard these words. The speech is a real stunner. Thank you for posting the link.

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  3. Yes we can!! What a night!! My husband has tears swelled up his eyes all night as his watched the speech.

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  4. It was an amazing journey. My husband and I, both, cried like little babies. What a moment in history. I am thrilled.

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  5. wow! spine tingling wow. what a speech. what an opportunity you now have america - grab hold of it with two hands. this man was always destined for great things.

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  6. I am so proud of our country! We've taken a huge leap forward. I feel like a cloud has been lifted and we can breathe free again....
    Jaala

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  7. Wow! Another knitting feminist, who's not a slave to fashion and supported Obama! Mama, I'm home!!!

    Thank You!

    Margie 1802

    P.S I like the pumpkin vine socks too. lol

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  8. we did it!!
    this speech moves my heart every time i look at it. and i'm wondering if i will ever stop tearing up thinking of 'president obama.' can't wait to see what these next years will bring!
    xo

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  9. I am happy happy happy with the way things went in the election!
    Mr. Obama has a long hard job ahead of him, but I know that he is up to the chalenge and will do the right thing!

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