 Al Qaeda is still a threat. We cannot pretend somehow that because Barack Hussein Obama got elected as president, suddenly everything is going to be OK. |
| In America, there's a failure to appreciate Europe's leading role in the world. |
| John Kerry believes in an America where hard work is rewarded. |
| Issues are never simple. One thing I'm proud of is that very rarely will you hear me simplify the issues. |
| Change will not come if we wait for some other person or some other time. We are the ones we've been waiting for. We are the change that we seek. |
| There is not a liberal America and a conservative America - there is the United States of America. There is not a black America and a white America and latino America and asian America - there's the United States of America. |
| In the end, that's what this election is about. Do we participate in a politics of cynicism or a politics of hope? |
| Tonight, we gather to affirm the greatness of our nation - not because of the height of our skyscrapers, or the power of our military, or the size of our economy. Our pride is based on a very simple premise, summed up in a declaration made over two hundred years ago. |
| We're not going to baby sit a civil war. |
| My parents shared not only an improbable love, they shared an abiding faith in the possibilities of this nation. They would give me an African name, Barack, or blessed, believing that in a tolerant America your name is no barrier to success. |
| We cannot continue to rely only on our military in order to achieve the national security objectives that we've set. We've got to have a civilian national security force that's just as powerful, just as strong, just as well-funded. |
| We can't drive our SUVs and eat as much as we want and keep our homes on 72 degrees at all times... and then just expect that other countries are going to say OK. That's not leadership. That's not going to happen. |
| There's not a liberal America and a conservative America - there's the United States of America. |
| I think it is important for Europe to understand that even though I am president and George Bush is not president, Al Qaeda is still a threat. |
| If the people cannot trust their government to do the job for which it exists - to protect them and to promote their common welfare - all else is lost. |
| There are patriots who opposed the war in Iraq and there are patriots who supported the war in Iraq. We are one people, all of us pledging allegiance to the stars and stripes, all of us defending the United States of America. |
| We need to internalize this idea of excellence. Not many folks spend a lot of time trying to be excellent. |
| This is the moment when we must build on the wealth that open markets have created, and share its benefits more equitably. Trade has been a cornerstone of our growth and global development. But we will not be able to sustain this growth if it favors the few, and not the many. |
| We worship an awesome God in the Blue States, and we don't like federal agents poking around our libraries in the Red States. We coach Little League in the Blue States and have gay friends in the Red States. |
| Why can't I just eat my waffle? |
