Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Itiswonderfultobeherewithallofyou.
TobeinNewYork(cheers)withmyfamily,withsomanyfriends,includingmanyNewYorkers
whogavemethehonorofservingthemintheSenateforeightyears.(Cheers,applause.)
ToberightacrossthewaterfromtheheadquartersoftheUnitedNations,whereIrepresented
ourcountrymanytimes.(Cheers,applause.)
TobehereinthisbeautifulparkdedicatedtoFranklinRooseveltsenduringvisionofAmerica,
thenationwewanttobe.
Andinaplacewithabsolutelynoceilings.(Cheers,applause.)
Youknow,PresidentRooseveltsFourFreedomsareatestamenttoournationsunmatched
aspirationsandareminderofourunfinishedworkathomeandabroad.Hislegacyliftedupa
nationandinspiredpresidentswhofollowed.OneisthemanIservedasSecretaryofState,
BarackObama,(cheers,applause)andanotherismyhusband,BillClinton.(Cheers,applause.)
TwoDemocratsguidedbythe(cheering)Oh,thatwillmakehimsohappy.Theywereand
aretwoDemocratsguidedbythefundamentalAmericanbeliefthatrealandlastingprosperity
mustbebuiltbyallandsharedbyall.(Cheers,applause.)
PresidentRooseveltcalledoneveryAmericantodohisorherpart,andeveryAmerican
answered.Hesaidtheresnomysteryaboutwhatittakestobuildastrongandprosperous
America:EqualityofopportunityJobsforthosewhocanworkSecurityforthosewhoneed
itTheendingofspecialprivilegeforthefew(cheers,applause.)Thepreservationofcivil
libertiesforall(cheers,applause)awiderandconstantlyrisingstandardofliving.
Thatstillsoundsgoodtome.(Cheers,applause.)
ItsAmericasbasicbargain.Ifyoudoyourpartyououghttobeabletogetahead.Andwhen
everybodydoestheirpart,Americagetsaheadtoo.
Thatbargaininspiredgenerationsoffamilies,includingmyown.
ItswhatkeptmygrandfathergoingtoworkinthesameScrantonlacemilleverydayfor50
years.
Itswhatledmyfathertobelievethatifhescrimpedandsaved,hissmallbusinessprinting
draperyfabricinChicagocouldprovideuswithamiddleclasslife.Anditdid.
WhenPresidentClintonhonoredthebargain,wehadthelongestpeacetimeexpansioninhistory,
abalancedbudget,(cheers,applause)andthefirsttimeindecadesweallgrewtogether,withthe
bottom20percentofworkersincreasingtheirincomesbythesamepercentageasthetop5
percent.(Cheers,applause.)
WhenPresidentObamahonoredthebargain,wepulledbackfromthebrinkofDepression,saved
theautoindustry,providedhealthcareto16millionworkingpeople,(cheers,applause)and
replacedthejobswelostfasterthanafterafinancialcrash.
But,itsnot1941,or1993,oreven2009.Wefacenewchallengesinoureconomyandour
democracy.
Werestillworkingourwaybackfromacrisisthathappenedbecausetimetestedvalueswere
replacedbyfalsepromises.
InsteadofaneconomybuiltbyeveryAmerican,foreveryAmerican,weweretoldthatifwelet
thoseatthetoppaylowertaxesandbendtherules,theirsuccesswouldtrickledowntoeveryone
else.(Jeers,booing.)
Whathappened?
Well,insteadofabalancedbudgetwithsurplusesthatcouldhaveeventuallypaidoffour
nationaldebt,theRepublicanstwicecuttaxesforthewealthiest,borrowedmoneyfromother
countriestopayfortwowars,andfamilyincomesdropped.Youknowwhereweendedup.
Exceptitwasnttheend.
Aswehavesinceourfounding,Americansmadeanewbeginning.
Youworkedextrashifts,tooksecondjobs,postponedhomerepairs...youfiguredouthowto
makeitwork.Andnowpeoplearebeginningtothinkabouttheirfutureagaingoingtocollege,
startingabusiness,buyingahouse,finallybeingabletoputawaysomethingforretirement.
Sowerestandingagain.But,weallknowwerenotyetrunningthewayAmericashould.
Youseecorporationsmakingrecordprofits,withCEOsmakingrecordpay,butyourpaychecks
havebarelybudged.
Whilemanyofyouareworkingmultiplejobstomakeendsmeet,youseethetop25hedgefund
managersmakingmorethanallofAmericaskindergartenteacherscombined.And,often
payingalowertaxrate.
So,youhavetowonder:Whendoesmyhardworkpayoff?Whendoesmyfamilygetahead?
When?
Isaynow.(Cheers,applause.)
ProsperitycantbejustforCEOsandhedgefundmanagers.
Democracycantbejustforbillionairesandcorporations.(Cheers,applause.)
Prosperityanddemocracyarepartofyourbasicbargaintoo.
Youbroughtourcountryback.
Nowitstimeyourtimetosecurethegainsandmoveahead.
And,youknowwhat?
Americacantsucceedunlessyousucceed.(Cheers,applause.)
ThatiswhyIamrunningforPresidentoftheUnitedStates.(Cheers,applause,chanting.)
Here,onRooseveltIsland,Ibelievewehaveacontinuingrendezvouswithdestiny.Each
Americanandthecountrywecherish.
ImrunningtomakeoureconomyworkforyouandforeveryAmerican.
Forthesuccessfulandthestruggling.
Fortheinnovatorsandinventors.
Forthosebreakingbarriersintechnologyanddiscoveringcuresfordiseases.
Forthefactoryworkersandfoodserverswhostandontheirfeetallday.(Cheers,applause.)
Forthenurseswhoworkthenightshift.(Cheers,applause.)
Forthetruckerswhodriveforhoursandthefarmerswhofeedus.(Cheers,applause.)
Fortheveteranswhoservedourcountry.
Forthesmallbusinessownerswhotookarisk.
Foreveryonewhoseverbeenknockeddown,butrefusedtobeknockedout.(Cheers,
applause.)
ImnotrunningforsomeAmericans,butforallAmericans.(Cheers,applause.)
OurcountryschallengesdidntbeginwiththeGreatRecessionandtheywontendwiththe
recovery.
Fordecades,Americanshavebeenbuffetedbypowerfulcurrents.
Advancesintechnologyandtheriseofglobaltradehavecreatedwholenewareasofeconomic
activityandopenednewmarketsforourexports,buttheyhavealsodisplacedjobsandundercut
wagesformillionsofAmericans.
Thefinancialindustryandmanymultinationalcorporationshavecreatedhugewealthforafew
byfocusingtoomuchonshorttermprofitandtoolittleonlongtermvaluetoomuchon
complextradingschemesandstockbuybacks,toolittleoninvestmentsinnewbusinesses,jobs,
andfaircompensation.(Cheers,applause.)
OurpoliticalsystemissoparalyzedbygridlockanddysfunctionthatmostAmericanshavelost
confidencethatanythingcanactuallygetdone.Andtheyvelosttrustintheabilityofboth
governmentandBigBusinesstochangecourse.
Now,wecanblamehistoricforcesbeyondourcontrolforsomeofthis,butthechoicesweve
madeasanation,leadersandcitizensalike,havealsoplayedabigrole.
OurnextPresidentmustworkwithCongressandeveryotherwillingpartneracrossourentire
country.AndIwilldojustthat(cheers,applause)toturnthetidesothesecurrentsstart
workingforusmorethanagainstus.
Atourbest,thatswhatAmericansdo.Wereproblemsolvers,notdeniers.Wedonthidefrom
change,weharnessit.(Cheers,applause.)
Butwecantdothatifwegobacktothetopdowneconomicpoliciesthatfailedusbefore.
Americanshavecometoofartoseeourprogressrippedaway.
Now,theremaybesomenewvoicesinthepresidentialRepublicanchoir,(laughter)buttheyre
allsingingthesameoldsong...
AsongcalledYesterday.(Laughter,cheers,applause.)
Youknowtheoneallourtroubleslookasthoughtheyreheretostay(laughter)andwe
needaplacetohideawayTheybelieveinyesterday.
AndyoureluckyIdidnttrysingingthat,too,I'lltellyou!(Laughter,cheers,applause.)
TheseRepublicanstripoverthemselvespromisinglowertaxesforthewealthyandfewerrules
forthebiggestcorporationswithoutregardforhowthatwillmakeincomeinequalityevenworse.
Weveheardthistunebefore.Andweknowhowitturnsout.
Askmanyofthesecandidatesaboutclimatechange,oneofthedefiningthreatsofourtime,
(cheers,applause)andtheyllsay:Imnotascientist.(Laughter.)Well,then,whydontthey
startlisteningtothosewhoare?(Cheers,applause.)
TheypledgetowipeouttoughrulesonWallStreet,ratherthanreininthebanksthatarestilltoo
risky,courtingfuturefailures.Inacasethatcanonlybeconsideredmassamnesia.
Theywanttotakeawayhealthinsurancefrommorethan16millionAmericanswithoutoffering
anycrediblealternative.(Booing.)
Theyshameandblamewomen,ratherthanrespectourrighttomakeourownreproductive
healthdecisions.(Cheers,applause.)
Theywanttoputimmigrants,whoworkhardandpaytaxes,atriskofdeportation.(Booing.)
Andtheyturntheirbacksongaypeoplewholoveeachother.(Cheers,applause.)
Fundamentally,theyrejectwhatittakestobuildaninclusiveeconomy.Ittakesaninclusive
society.(Cheers,applause.)WhatIoncecalledavillage(cheers)thathasaplacefor
everyone.
Now,myvaluesandalifetimeofexperienceshavegivenmeadifferentvisionforAmerica.
IbelievethatsuccessisntmeasuredbyhowmuchthewealthiestAmericanshave,butbyhow
manychildrenclimboutofpoverty...(cheers,applause)
Howmanystartupsandsmallbusinessesopenandthrive
Howmanyyoungpeoplegotocollegewithoutdrowningindebt(cheers,applause)
Howmanypeoplefindagoodjob
Howmanyfamiliesgetaheadandstayahead.
Ididntlearnthisfrompolitics.Ilearneditfrommyownfamily.
Mymothertaughtmethateverybodyneedsachanceandachampion.Sheknewwhatitwaslike
nottohaveeitherone.
Herownparentsabandonedher,andby14shewasoutonherown,workingasahousemaid.
Yearslater,whenIwasoldenoughtounderstand,Iaskedwhatkepthergoing.
Youknowwhatheranswerwas?Somethingverysimple:Kindnessfromsomeonewho
believedshemattered.
st
The1
gradeteacherwhosawshehadnothingtoeatatlunchand,withoutembarrassingher,
broughtextrafoodtoshare.
Thewomanwhosehouseshecleanedlettinghergotohighschoolsolongasherworkgotdone.
Thatwasabargainsheleapttoaccept.
And,becausesomepeoplebelievedinher,shebelievedinme.(Cheers,applause.)
That'swhyIbelievewithallmyheartinAmericaandinthepotentialofeveryAmerican.
Tomeeteverychallenge.
Toberesilientnomatterwhattheworldthrowsatyou.
Tosolvethetoughestproblems.
IbelievewecandoallthesethingsbecauseIveseenithappen.
Asayounggirl,IsignedupatmyMethodistChurchtobabysitthechildrenofMexican
farmworkers,whiletheirparentsworkedinthefieldsontheweekends.Andlater,asalaw
student,IadvocatedforCongresstorequirebetterworkingandlivingconditionsforfarm
workerswhosechildrendeservedbetteropportunities.(Cheers,applause.)
MyfirstjoboutoflawschoolwasfortheChildrensDefenseFund.(Cheers,applause.)I
walkeddoortodoortofindouthowmanychildrenwithdisabilitiescouldntgotoschool,andto
helpbuildthecaseforalawguaranteeingthemaccesstoeducation.(Cheers,applause.)
AsaleaderoftheLegalServicesCorporation,Idefendedtherightofpoorpeopletohavea
lawyer.Andsawliveschangedbecauseanabusivemarriageendedoranillegaleviction
stopped.
InArkansas,Isupervisedlawstudentswhorepresentedclientsincourtsandprisons,organized
scholarshipsforsingleparentsgoingtocollege,ledeffortsforbetterschoolsandhealthcare,and
personallyknewthepeoplewhoseliveswereimproved.
AsSenator,Ihadthehonorofrepresentingbravefirefighters,policeofficers,EMTs,
constructionworkers,andvolunteers(cheers,applause)whorantowarddangeron9/11and
stayedthere,becomingsickthemselves.
Ittookyearsofeffort,butCongressfinallyapprovedthehealthcaretheyneeded.(Applause.)
TherearesomanyfacesandstoriesthatIcarrywithmeofpeoplewhogavetheirbestandthen
neededhelpthemselves.
Justweeksago,Imetanotherpersonlikethat,asinglemomjugglingajobandclassesat
communitycollege,whileraisingthreekids.
Shedoesntexpectanythingtocomeeasy.Butshedidaskme:Whatmorecanbedonesoit
isntquitesohardforfamilieslikehers?
Iwanttobeherchampionandyourchampion.(Cheers,applause.)
Ifyoullgivemethechance,IllwageandwinFourFightsforyou.
ThefirstistomaketheeconomyworkforeverydayAmericans,notjustthoseatthetop.
(Cheers,applause.)
Tomakethemiddleclassmeansomethingagain,withrisingincomesandbroaderhorizons.
Andtogivethepoorachancetoworktheirwayintoit.(Cheers,applause.)
Themiddleclassneedsmoregrowthandmorefairness.Growthandfairnessgotogether.For
lastingprosperity,youcanthaveonewithouttheother.
Isthispossibleintodaysworld?(Crowdresponds.)
IbelieveitisorIwouldntbestandinghere.(Cheers,applause.)
DoIthinkitwillbeeasy?Ofcoursenot.
But,heresthegoodnews:Therearealliesforchangeeverywherewhoknowwecantstandby
whileinequalityincreases,wagesstagnate,andthepromiseofAmericadims.Weshould
welcomethesupportofallAmericanswhowanttogoforwardtogetherwithus.(Cheers,
applause.)
TherearepublicofficialswhoknowAmericansneedabetterdeal.
Businessleaderswhowanthigherpayforemployees,equalpayforwomen(cheers,applause)
andnodiscriminationagainsttheLGBTcommunityeither.(Cheers,applause.)
Thereareleadersoffinancewhowantlessshorttermtradingandmorelongterminvesting.
Thereareunionleaderswhoareinvestingtheirownpensionfundsinputtingpeopletoworkto
buildtomorrowseconomy.(Cheers,applause.)Weneedeveryonetocometothetableand
workwithus.
Inthecomingweeks,Illproposespecificpoliciesto:
Rewardbusinesseswhoinvestinlongtermvalueratherthanthequickbuckbecausethatleads
tohighergrowthfortheeconomy,higherwagesforworkers,andyes,biggerprofits,everybody
willhaveabettertime.
Iwillrewritethetaxcodesoitrewardshardworkandinvestmentshereathome,notquick
tradesorstashingprofitsoverseas.(Cheers,applause.)
Iwillgivenewincentivestocompaniesthatgivetheiremployeesafairshareoftheprofitstheir
hardworkearns.(Cheers,applause.)
Wewillunleashanewgenerationofentrepreneursandsmallbusinessownersbyprovidingtax
relief,cuttingredtape,andmakingiteasiertogetasmallbusinessloan.
WewillrestoreAmericatothecuttingedgeofinnovation,science,andresearchbyincreasing
bothpublicandprivateinvestments.(Cheers,applause.)
st
AndwewillmakeAmericathecleanenergysuperpowerofthe21
century.(Cheers,applause.)
Developingrenewablepowerwind,solar,advancedbiofuels
Buildingcleanerpowerplants,smarterelectricgrids,greenerbuildings
Usingadditionalfeesandroyaltiesfromfossilfuelextractiontoprotecttheenvironment
(cheers,applause)
Andeasethetransitionfordistressedcommunitiestoamorediverseandsustainableeconomic
futurefromcoalcountrytoIndiancountry,fromsmalltownsintheMississippiDeltatotheRio
GrandeValleytoourinnercities,wehavetohelpourfellowAmericans.(Cheers,applause.)
Now,thiswillcreatemillionsofjobsandcountlessnewbusinesses,andenableAmericatolead
theglobalfightagainstclimatechange.(Cheers,applause.)
Wewillalsoconnectworkerstotheirjobsandbusinesses.Customerswillhaveabetterchance
toactuallygetwheretheyneedandgetwhattheydesirewithroads,railways,bridges,airports,
st
ports,andbroadbandbroughtuptoglobalstandardsforthe21
century.(Cheers,applause.)
Wewillestablishaninfrastructurebankandsellbondstopayforsomeoftheseimprovements.
Now,buildinganeconomyfortomorrowalsorequiresinvestinginourmostimportantasset,our
people,beginningwithouryoungest.(Cheers,applause.)
ThatswhyIwillproposethatwemakepreschoolandqualitychildcareavailabletoeverychild
inAmerica.(Cheers,applause.)
AndIwantyoutorememberthis,becausetome,thisisabsolutelythemostcompelling
argumentwhyweshoulddothis.Researchtellsushowmuchearlylearninginthefirstfive
yearsoflifecanimpactlifelongsuccess.Infact,80percentofthebrainisdevelopedbyage
three.
OnethingIvelearnedisthattalentisuniversalyoucanfinditanywherebutopportunityis
not.(Cheers,applause.)Toomanyofourkidsneverhavethechancetolearnandthriveasthey
shouldandasweneedthemto.
Ourcountrywontbecompetitiveorfairifwedonthelpmorefamiliesgivetheirkidsthebest
possiblestartinlife.
Soletsstaffourprimaryandsecondaryschoolswithteacherswhoaresecondtononeinthe
world,andreceivetherespecttheydeserveforsparkingtheloveoflearningineverychild.
(Cheers,applause.)
Letsmakecollegeaffordableandavailabletoallandliftthecrushingburdenofstudentdebt.
(Cheers,applause.)
Letsprovidelifelonglearningforworkerstogainorimproveskillstheeconomyrequires,
settingupmanymoreAmericansforsuccess.
Now,thesecondfightistostrengthenAmericasfamilies,becausewhenourfamiliesarestrong,
Americaisstrong.
Andtodaysfamiliesfacenewanduniquepressures.Parentsneedmoresupportandflexibility
todotheirjobatworkandathome.(Cheers.)
Ibelieveyoushouldhavetherighttoearnpaidsickdays.(Cheers,applause.)
Ibelieveyoushouldreceiveyourworkschedulewithenoughnoticetoarrangechildcareortake
collegecoursestogetahead.(Cheers,applause.)
Ibelieveyoushouldlookforwardtoretirementwithconfidence,notanxiety.
Thatyoushouldhavethepeaceofmindthatyourhealthcarewillbetherewhenyouneedit,
withoutbreakingthebank.(Cheers,applause.)
Ibelieveweshouldofferpaidfamilyleave(cheers,applause)sonoonehastochoosebetween
keepingapaycheckandcaringforanewbabyorasickrelative.(Cheers,applause.)
Anditiswaypasttimetoendtheoutrageofsomanywomenstillearninglessthanmenonthe
job(cheers,applause)andwomenofcoloroftenmakingevenless.(Cheers,applause.)
Thisisntawomensissue.Itsafamilyissue.Justlikeraisingtheminimumwageisafamily
issue.(Cheers,applause.)Expandingchildcareisafamilyissue.Decliningmarriageratesisa
familyissue.Theunequalratesofincarcerationisafamilyissue.(Cheers,applause.)Helping
morepeoplewithanaddictionoramentalhealthproblemgethelpisafamilyissue.(Cheers,
applause.)
InAmerica,everyfamilyshouldfeelliketheybelong.
Soweshouldofferhardworking,lawabidingimmigrantfamiliesapathtocitizenship.(Cheers,
applause.)Notsecondclassstatus.(Cheers,applause.)
And,weshouldbandiscriminationagainstLGBTAmericansandtheirfamilies(cheers,
applause)sotheycanlive,learn,marry,andworkjustlikeeverybodyelse.(Cheers,applause.)
Youknow,Americasdiversity,ouropenness,ourdevotiontohumanrightsandfreedomis
whatsdrawnsomanytoourshores.Whatsinspiredpeopleallovertheworld.Iknow.Ive
seenitwithmyowneyes.
Andthesearealsoqualitiesthatprepareuswellforthedemandsofaworldthatismore
interconnectedthaneverbefore.
Sowehaveathirdfight:toharnessallofAmericaspower,smarts,andvaluestomaintainour
leadershipforpeace,security,andprosperity.
st
NoothercountryonEarthisbetterpositionedtothriveinthe21
century.Noothercountryis
betterequippedtomeettraditionalthreatsfromcountrieslikeRussia,NorthKorea,andIran
andtodealwiththeriseofnewpowerslikeChina.
Noothercountryisbetterpreparedtomeetemergingthreatsfromcyberattacks,transnational
terrornetworkslikeISIS,anddiseasesthatspreadacrossoceansandcontinents.
AsyourPresident,IlldowhateverittakestokeepAmericanssafe.(Cheers,applause.)
AndifyoulookovermyleftshoulderyoucanseethenewWorldTradeCentersoaringskyward.
(Cheers,applause.)
AsaSenatorfromNewYork,Idedicatedmyselftogettingourcityandstatethehelpweneeded
torecover.AndasamemberoftheArmedServicesCommittee,Iworkedtomaintainthe
besttrained,bestequipped,strongestmilitary,readyfortodaysthreatsandtomorrows.
Andwhenourbravemenandwomencomehomefromwarorfinishtheirservice,Illseetoit
thattheygetnotjustthethanksofagratefulnation,butthecareandbenefitstheyveearned.
(Cheers,applause.)
IvestooduptoadversarieslikePutinandreinforcedallieslikeIsrael.IwasintheSituation
RoomonthedaywegotbinLaden.(Cheers,applause.)
But,IknowIknowwehavetobesmartaswellasstrong.
MeetingtodaysglobalchallengesrequireseveryelementofAmerica'spower,includingskillful
diplomacy,economicinfluence,andbuildingpartnershipstoimprovelivesaroundtheworld
withpeople,notjusttheirgovernments.
Therearealotoftroublespotsintheworld,buttheresalotofgoodnewsouttheretoo.
Ibelievethefutureholdsfarmoreopportunitiesthanthreatsifweexercisecreativeand
confidentleadershipthatenablesustoshapeglobaleventsratherthanbeshapedbythem.
(Cheers,applause.)
Andweallknowthatinordertobestrongintheworld,though,wefirsthavetobestrongat
home.Thatswhywehavetowinthefourthfightreformingourgovernmentandrevitalizing
ourdemocracysothatitworksforeverydayAmericans.(Cheers,applause.)
Wehavetostoptheendlessflowofsecret,unaccountablemoneythatisdistortingourelections,
corruptingourpoliticalprocess,anddrowningoutthevoicesofourpeople.(Cheers,applause.)
WeneedJusticesontheSupremeCourtwhowillprotecteverycitizensrighttovote,(cheers,
applause)ratherthaneverycorporationsrighttobuyelections.(Cheers,applause.)
Ifnecessary,IwillsupportaconstitutionalamendmenttoundotheSupremeCourtsdecisionin
CitizensUnited.(Cheers,applause.)
Iwanttomakeiteasierforeverycitizentovote.That'swhyI'veproposeduniversal,automatic
registrationandexpandedearlyvoting.(Cheers,applause.)
IllfightbackagainstRepublicaneffortstodisempoweranddisenfranchiseyoungpeople,poor
people,peoplewithdisabilities,andpeopleofcolor.(Cheers,applause.)
Whatpartofdemocracyaretheyafraidof?(Cheers,applause.)
Nomatterhoweasywemakeittovote,westillhavetogiveAmericanssomethingworthvoting
for.(Cheers,applause.)
Governmentisnevergoingtohavealltheanswersbutithastobesmarter,simpler,more
efficient,andabetterpartner.
Thatmeansaccesstoadvancedtechnologysogovernmentagenciescanmoreeffectivelyserve
theircustomers,theAmericanpeople.
Weneedexpertiseandinnovationfromtheprivatesectortohelpcutwasteandstreamline
services.
TheressomuchthatworksinAmerica.Foreveryproblemweface,someonesomewherein
Americaissolvingit.SiliconValleycrackedthecodeonsharingandscalingawhileago.Many
statesarepioneeringnewwaystodeliverservices.IwanttohelpWashingtoncatchup.
(Cheers,applause.)
Todothat,weneedapoliticalsystemthatproducesresultsbysolvingproblemsthatholdus
back,notoneoverwhelmedbyextremepartisanshipandinflexibility.
Now,Illalwaysseekcommongroundwithfriendandopponentalike.ButIllalsostandmy
groundwhenImust.(Cheers,applause.)
ThatssomethingIdidasSenatorandSecretaryofStatewhetheritwasworkingwith
RepublicanstoexpandhealthcareforchildrenandforourNationalGuard,orimproveourfoster
careandadoptionsystem,orpassatreatytoreducethenumberofRussiannuclearwarheadsthat
couldthreatenourcitiesanditssomethingIwillalwaysdoasyourPresident.
WeAmericansmaydiffer,bicker,stumble,andfallbutweareatourbestwhenwepickeach
otherup,whenwehaveeachothersback.
Likeanyfamily,ourAmericanfamilyisstrongestwhenwecherishwhatwehaveincommon,
andfightbackagainstthosewhowoulddriveusapart.
Peopleallovertheworldhaveaskedme:HowcouldyouandPresidentObamaworktogether
afteryoufoughtsohardagainsteachotherinthatlongcampaign?
Now,thatisanunderstandablequestionconsideringthatinmanyplaces,ifyouloseanelection
youcouldgetimprisonedorexiledevenkillednothiredasSecretaryofState.(Cheers,
applause.)
ButPresidentObamaaskedmetoserve,andIacceptedbecausewebothloveourcountry.
(Cheers,applause.)ThatshowwedoitinAmerica.
Withthatsamespirit,together,wecanwinthesefourfights.
Wecanbuildaneconomywherehardworkisrewarded.
Wecanstrengthenourfamilies.
Wecandefendourcountryandincreaseouropportunitiesallovertheworld.
Andwecanrenewthepromiseofourdemocracy.
Ifwealldoourpart.Inourfamilies,inourbusinesses,unions,housesofworship,schools,and,
yes,inthevotingbooth.
Iwantyoutojoinmeinthiseffort.Helpmebuildthiscampaignandmakeityourown.
Talktoyourfriends,yourfamily,yourneighbors.
TextJOINJOINto47246.
Goto
hillaryclinton.com
andsignuptomakecallsandknockondoors.(Cheers,applause.)
Itsnosecretthatweregoingupagainstsomeprettypowerfulforcesthatwilldoandspend
whateverittakestoadvanceaverydifferentvisionforAmerica.ButIvespentmylifefighting
forchildren,families,andourcountry.AndImnotstoppingnow.(Cheers,applause,chanting.)
Youknow,Iknowhowhardthisjobis.Iveseenitupcloseandpersonal.(Laughter.)
AllourPresidentscomeintoofficelookingsovigorous.(Laughter.)Andthenwewatchtheir
hairgrowgrayerandgrayer.
Well,Imaynotbetheyoungestcandidateinthisrace.ButIwillbetheyoungestwoman
PresidentinthehistoryoftheUnitedStates!(Cheers,applause.)
Andthefirstgrandmotheraswell.(Cheers,applause.)
Andoneadditionaladvantage:YourewontseemyhairturnwhiteintheWhiteHouse.Ive
beencoloringitforyears!
(Cheers,applause.)
SoImlookingforwardtoagreatdebateamongDemocrats,Republicans,andIndependents.
ImnotrunningtobeaPresidentonlyforthoseAmericanswhoalreadyagreewithme.Iwantto
beaPresidentforallAmericans.
Andalongtheway,I'lljustletyouinonthislittlesecret.(Laughter.)Iwontgeteverything
right.LordknowsIvemademyshareofmistakes.Well,theresnoshortageofpeoplepointing
themout!(Laughter.)
AndIcertainlyhaventwoneverybattleIvefought.Butleadershipmeansperseveranceand
hardchoices.Youhavetopushthroughthesetbacksanddisappointmentsandkeepatit.
(Cheers,applause.)
IthinkyouknowbynowthatIvebeencalledmanythingsbymanypeople(laughter)
quitterisnotoneofthem.(Cheers,applause.)
Likesomuchelseinmylife,Igotthisfrommymother.
WhenIwasagirl,sheneverletmebackdownfromanybullyorbarrier.Inherlateryears,
Momlivedwithus,andshewasstillteachingmethesamelessons.Idcomehomefromahard
dayattheSenateortheStateDepartment,sitdownwithheratthesmalltableinourbreakfast
nook,andjustleteverythingpourout.Andshewouldremindmewhywekeepfighting,even
whentheoddsarelongandtheoppositionisfierce.
Icanstillhearhersaying:Lifesnotaboutwhathappenstoyou,itsaboutwhatyoudowith
whathappenstoyousogetbackoutthere.(Cheers,applause.)
Shelivedtobe92yearsold,andIoftenthinkaboutallthebattlesshewitnessedoverthecourse
ofthelastcenturyalltheprogressthatwaswonbecauseAmericansrefusedtogiveuporback
down.
ShewasbornonJune4,1919beforewomeninAmericahadtherighttovote.Butonthat
veryday,afteryearsofstruggle,CongresspassedtheConstitutionalAmendmentthatwould
changethatforever.
ThestoryofAmericaisastoryofhardfought,hardwonprogress.Anditcontinuestoday.New
chaptersarebeingwrittenbymenandwomenwhobelievethatallofusnotjustsome,butall
shouldhavethechancetoliveuptoourGodgivenpotential.
Notonlybecausewereatolerantcountry,oragenerouscountry,oracompassionatecountry,
butbecausewereabetter,stronger,moreprosperouscountrywhenweharnessthetalent,hard
work,andingenuityofeverysingleAmerican.
Iwishmymothercouldhavebeenwithuslonger.IwishshecouldhaveseenChelseabecomea
motherherself.IwishshecouldhavemetCharlotte.
IwishshecouldhaveseentheAmericaweregoingtobuildtogether.(Cheers,applause.)
AnAmerica,whereifyoudoyourpart,youreaptherewards.
Wherewedontleaveanyoneout,oranyonebehind.
AnAmericawhereafathercantellhisdaughter:yes,youcanbeanythingyouwanttobe.Even
PresidentoftheUnitedStates.(Cheers,applause.)
Thankyouall.Godblessyou.AndmayGodblessAmerica.(Cheers,applause.)