We know the battle ahead will be long. But always remember that, no matter what obstacles stand in our way, nothing can stand in the way of the power of millions of voices calling for change.
We have been told we cannot do this by a chorus of cynics. And they will only grow louder and more dissonant in the weeks and months to come.
We've been asked to pause for a reality check. We've been warned against offering the people of this nation false hope. But in the unlikely story that is America, there has never been anything false about hope.
For when we have faced down impossible odds, when we've been told we're not ready or that we shouldn't try or that we can't, generations of Americans have responded with a simple creed that sums up the spirit of a people: Yes, we can. Yes, we can. Yes, we can.
It was a creed written into the founding documents that declared the destiny of a nation: Yes, we can.
It was whispered by slaves and abolitionists as they blazed a trail towards freedom through the darkest of nights: Yes, we can.
It was sung by immigrants as they struck out from distant shores and pioneers who pushed westward against an unforgiving wilderness: Yes, we can.
It was the call of workers who organized, women who reached for the ballot, a president who chose the moon as our new frontier, and a king who took us to the mountaintop and pointed the way to the promised land: Yes, we can, to justice and equality.
Yes, we can, to opportunity and prosperity. Yes, we can heal this nation. Yes, we can repair this world. Yes, we can.
Together, we will begin the next great chapter in the American story, with three words that will ring from coast to coast, from sea to shining sea: Yes, we can.
I realize there is a lot of cynicism out there. I realize that the Obama campaign has been fueled and masterminded and branded to the hilt - that many Americans are only too happy to fall into the easy lull of a decision that essentially been made for them = the attractive candidate, the easy candidate, the candidate who seems to be everywhere at every moment. But I am not so easily fooled. Here is a man, a mere human, who is preternaturally collected, calm, and most importantly, PROFESSIONAL and prepared to sooth the strain that has been placed on our country by erratic, slash-n-burn politics. To mend relationships that have been interrupted by belligerence, hypocrisy and lies. A man who didn't attempt a hail mary political "pass" or change of topic when the road became rocky.
I find it interesting that the transcript above, of Senator Obama's NH concession speech from January is just as applicable today as it was then. "That we are not as divided as our politics would suggest." Truer words were never spoken.
I am so thrilled to see our country moving in this new direction (and a little thrilled that everyone can calm down now about the election that wouldn't die) and I hope that we can all pave a new future for America while respecting those from our past who have made it possible. And most of all? Respecting one another in the process.
Here's to our shared future.
Here's to us.
We have been told we cannot do this by a chorus of cynics. And they will only grow louder and more dissonant in the weeks and months to come.
We've been asked to pause for a reality check. We've been warned against offering the people of this nation false hope. But in the unlikely story that is America, there has never been anything false about hope.
For when we have faced down impossible odds, when we've been told we're not ready or that we shouldn't try or that we can't, generations of Americans have responded with a simple creed that sums up the spirit of a people: Yes, we can. Yes, we can. Yes, we can.
It was a creed written into the founding documents that declared the destiny of a nation: Yes, we can.
It was whispered by slaves and abolitionists as they blazed a trail towards freedom through the darkest of nights: Yes, we can.
It was sung by immigrants as they struck out from distant shores and pioneers who pushed westward against an unforgiving wilderness: Yes, we can.
It was the call of workers who organized, women who reached for the ballot, a president who chose the moon as our new frontier, and a king who took us to the mountaintop and pointed the way to the promised land: Yes, we can, to justice and equality.
Yes, we can, to opportunity and prosperity. Yes, we can heal this nation. Yes, we can repair this world. Yes, we can.
Together, we will begin the next great chapter in the American story, with three words that will ring from coast to coast, from sea to shining sea: Yes, we can.
I realize there is a lot of cynicism out there. I realize that the Obama campaign has been fueled and masterminded and branded to the hilt - that many Americans are only too happy to fall into the easy lull of a decision that essentially been made for them = the attractive candidate, the easy candidate, the candidate who seems to be everywhere at every moment. But I am not so easily fooled. Here is a man, a mere human, who is preternaturally collected, calm, and most importantly, PROFESSIONAL and prepared to sooth the strain that has been placed on our country by erratic, slash-n-burn politics. To mend relationships that have been interrupted by belligerence, hypocrisy and lies. A man who didn't attempt a hail mary political "pass" or change of topic when the road became rocky.
I find it interesting that the transcript above, of Senator Obama's NH concession speech from January is just as applicable today as it was then. "That we are not as divided as our politics would suggest." Truer words were never spoken.
I am so thrilled to see our country moving in this new direction (and a little thrilled that everyone can calm down now about the election that wouldn't die) and I hope that we can all pave a new future for America while respecting those from our past who have made it possible. And most of all? Respecting one another in the process.
Here's to our shared future.
Here's to us.
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