A Few Reasons to Believe that this time is Different
I'm optimistic.
Of course we can't expect the politicians to solve our problems for us... But Barack Obama knows that too.
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.
We will only solve our problems by working together, the government, the citizens, Republicans and Democrats. Barack Obama knows this too.
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 resist the temptation to fall back on the same partisanship and pettiness and immaturity that has poisoned our politics for so long.... 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... And to those Americans whose support I have yet to earn - I may not have won your vote, but I hear your voices, I need your help, and I will be your President too
It's about the power and determination of a unified American people.
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 that 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 join in the work of remaking this nation the only way it's been done in America for two-hundred and twenty-one years - block by block, brick by brick, calloused hand by calloused hand.
This next quote puts everything in perspective. He talked about the 106 year old woman who voted yesterday, and all the things she's witnessed in America over the past century.
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?
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He may not agree with me on every policy decision. I'll probably have to sign some petitions and make some phone calls along the way to urge him to take my opinion into account. But we do agree on the fundamentals of this country, and the idea that an honest and thoughtful democracy will reach the best policies over time.
Progress happens when we all work together, when we take a hands on approach, and make it our responsibility to achieve a brighter future for our children.
I thought the speeches by McCain and Obama last night ended this campaign in a very good way. There are big problems ahead, but I expect those challenges to make us stronger in the end.
Sure this journal is mostly about a speech, actions and words are two different things, and I know we're used to politicians bullshitting us. But he's not making promises, he's rallying us together as a nation, he's asking us to work hard and believe that we can overcome anything if we stick together.
He's not promising to fix our problems, and he's not telling us that he'll make it easy. He's asking us all to work for it. He's welcoming all of us to participate.
Politics is more than a game of rival teams competing for power. Politics is the art of making collective decisions. We need to work together to solve hard problems, not work against each other to score political points.
The great power of this moment is that it reminds us what we love about America, and asks us to take responsibility for what kind of country we leave for the next generation.
yes (e:jason), but unlike all politicians he has GOOD speech writers. :)
Just like all politicians, he has speechwriters. I really enjoyed the speech. More on this later.
Keep the faith
Nice speech - wonder how much of it he wrote himself. Wouldn't be surprised if the proportion of self-written lines stood at around 60% compared to 1% or less in the case of W - the biggest living (and thankfully now out of power) idiot in the world.