As we enter the final days of this hard-fought election campaign, the candidates are making their “closing arguments” — their final statements on their visions for America’s future, and how they would turn those visions into reality.
Today in Canton, Ohio, the American Dream Candidate, Senator Barack Obama, debuted his closing argument in a moving, emotional address.
I’m still waiting for video of the complete speech to be posted, but in the meantime, here’s the final seven minutes: Here’s the complete speech:
I still remember the email that a woman named Robyn sent me after I met her in Ft. Lauderdale. Sometime after our event, her son nearly went into cardiac arrest, and was diagnosed with a heart condition that could only be treated with a procedure that cost tens of thousands of dollars. Her insurance company refused to pay, and their family just didn’t have that kind of money.
In her email, Robyn wrote, “I ask only this of you - on the days where you feel so tired you can’t think of uttering another word to the people, think of us. When those who oppose you have you down, reach deep and fight back harder.”
Ohio, that’s what hope is - that thing inside us that insists, despite all evidence to the contrary, that something better is waiting around the bend; that insists there are better days ahead. If we’re willing to work for it. If we’re willing to shed our fears and our doubts. If we’re willing to reach deep down inside ourselves when we’re tired and come back fighting harder.
Hope! That’s what kept some of our parents and grandparents going when times were tough. What led them to say, “Maybe I can’t go to college, but if I save a little bit each week my child can; maybe I can’t have my own business but if I work really hard my child can open one of her own.” It’s what led immigrants from distant lands to come to these shores against great odds and carve a new life for their families in America; what led those who couldn’t vote to march and organize and stand for freedom; that led them to cry out, “It may look dark tonight, but if I hold on to hope, tomorrow will be brighter.”
That’s what this election is about.
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Comments (1)
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A few hours ago I was heading home from doing some errands when I ran into a neighbor here in Arlington, VA. He asked me how things were going. I told him we had a few more days left until the election. He then said to me "let's change the world".
Yep, I think the world could do with some change. I think I will change it :) How about you?
Posted by Jason Gooljar on October 27, 2008 at 10:54 PM
Posted on October 27, 2008 at 10:54 PM