"Change has come" -Obama
Excerpts of the speech made by Obama following his historic victory
"If there is anyone out there who still doubts that America is a
place where all things are possible; who still wonders if the dream of
our founders is alive in our time; who still questions the power of our
democracy, tonight is your answer.
It's the answer told by lines that stretched around schools and
churches in numbers this nation has never seen; by people who waited
three hours and four hours, many for the very first time in their lives,
because they believed that this time must be different; that their
voices could be that difference. It's the answer spoken by young and
old, rich and poor, Democrat and Republican, black, white, Hispanic,
Asian, Native American, gay, straight, disabled and not disabled -
Americans who sent a message to the world that we have never been just a
collection of individuals or a collection of Red States and Blue States:
we are, and always will be, the United States of America.
It's the answer that led those who have been told for so long by so
many to be cynical, and fearful, and doubtful of what we can achieve to
put their hands on the arc of history and bend it once more toward the
hope of a better day.
It's been a long time coming, but tonight, because of what we did on
this day, in this election, at this defining moment, change has come to
America.
Victory for the people
But above all, I will never forget who this victory truly belongs to
- it belongs to you. I was never the likeliest candidate for this
office. We didn't start with much money or many endorsements. Our
campaign was not hatched in the halls of Washington - it began in the
backyards of Des Moines and the living rooms of Concord and the front
porches of Charleston. It was built by working men and women who dug
into what little savings they had to give $5 and $10 and $20 to the
cause.
It grew strength from the young people who rejected the myth of their
generation's apathy; who left their homes and their families for jobs
that offered little pay and less sleep; it grew strength from the
not-so-young people who braved the bitter cold and scorching heat to
knock on the doors of perfect strangers; from the millions of Americans
who volunteered, and organised, and proved that more than two centuries
later, a government of the people, by the people and for the people has
not perished from the Earth. This is your victory.
The task ahead
I know you didn't do this just to win an election and I know you
didn't do it for me. You did it because you understand the enormity of
the task that lies ahead. For even as we celebrate tonight, we know the
challenges that tomorrow will bring are the greatest of our lifetime -
two wars, a planet in peril, the worst financial crisis in a century.
Even as we stand here tonight, we know there are brave Americans
waking up in the deserts of Iraq and the mountains of Afghanistan to
risk their lives for us. There are mothers and fathers who will lie
awake after their children fall asleep and wonder how they'll make the
mortgage, or pay their doctor's bills, or save enough for their child's
college education. There is new energy to harness and new jobs to be
created; new schools to build and threats to meet and alliances to
repair. The road ahead will be long. Our climb will be steep. We may not
get there in one year or even in one term, but America - I have never
been more hopeful than I am tonight that we will get there. I promise
you - we as a people will get there.
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 cannot happen without you, without a new
spirit of service, a new spirit of sacrifice. So let us summon a new
spirit of patriotism; of service and 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.
America in the world
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. To
those who would tear the world down - we will defeat you. To those who
seek peace and security - we support you. And to all those who have
wondered if America's beacon still burns as bright - tonight we proved
once more that the true strength of our nation comes not from the might
of our arms or the scale of our wealth, but from the enduring power of
our ideals: democracy, liberty, opportunity and unyielding hope.
For that is the true genius of America - that America can change. Our
union can be perfected. And what we have already achieved gives us hope
for what we can and must achieve tomorrow.
A history of struggle
This election had many firsts and many stories that will be told for
generations. But one that's on my mind tonight is about a woman who cast
her ballot in Atlanta. She's a lot like the millions of others who stood
in line to make their voice heard in this election except for one thing
- Ann Nixon Cooper is 106 years old.
She was born just a generation past slavery; a time when there were
no cars on the road or planes in the sky; when someone like her couldn't
vote for two reasons - because she was a woman and because of the colour
of her skin.
America, we have come so far. We have seen so much. But there is so
much more to do. So tonight, let us ask ourselves - if our children
should live to see the next century; if my daughters should be so lucky
to live as long as Ann Nixon Cooper, what change will they see? What
progress will we have made? This is our chance to answer that call. This
is our moment. This is our time - to put our people back to work and
open doors of opportunity for our kids; to restore prosperity and
promote the cause of peace; to reclaim the American dream and reaffirm
that fundamental truth - that out of many, we are one; that while we
breathe, we hope, and where we are met with cynicism and doubt, and
those who tell us that we can't, we will respond with that timeless
creed that sums up the spirit of a people: yes, we can.
Thank you, God bless you, and may God bless the United States of
America.
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