Barack Obama

let me begin by sai thank to all you who travel __PUNCT__ from far and wide __PUNCT__ to brave the cold todai __PUNCT__

we all made thi journei for a reason __PUNCT__

it humbl __PUNCT__ but in my heart i know you didn't come here just for me __PUNCT__ you came here becaus you believ in what thi countri can be __PUNCT__

in the face of war __PUNCT__ you believ there can be peac __PUNCT__

in the face of despair __PUNCT__ you believ there can be hope __PUNCT__

in the face of a polit that shut you out __PUNCT__ that told you to settl __PUNCT__ that divid us for too long __PUNCT__ you believ we can be on peopl __PUNCT__ reach for what possibl __PUNCT__ build that more perfect_union __PUNCT__

that the journei we on todai __PUNCT__

but let me tell you how i came to be here __PUNCT__

as most of you know __PUNCT__ i am not a nativ of thi great state __PUNCT__

i move to illinoi over two decad_ago __PUNCT__

i wa a young_man then __PUNCT__ just a year out of colleg __PUNCT__ i knew no on in chicago __PUNCT__ wa without monei or famili connect __PUNCT__

but a group of church had offer me a job as a commun_organ for __MONEY__ a year __PUNCT__

and i accept the job __PUNCT__ sight unseen __PUNCT__ motiv then by a singl __PUNCT__ simpl __PUNCT__ power idea __PUNCT__ that i might plai a small_part in build a better america __PUNCT__

my work took me to some of chicago poorest neighborhood __PUNCT__

i join with pastor and lai __PUNCT__ peopl to deal with commun that had been ravag by plant_close __PUNCT__

i saw that the problem peopl face weren't simpli local in natur __PUNCT__ that the decis to close a steel_mill wa made by distant execut __PUNCT__ that the lack of textbook and comput in school could be trace to the skew prioriti of politician a thousand_mile awai __PUNCT__ and that when a child turn to violenc __PUNCT__ there a hole in hi heart no govern alon can fill __PUNCT__

it wa in these neighborhood that i receiv the best educ i ever had __PUNCT__ and where i learn the true mean of my christian_faith __PUNCT__

after three year of thi work __PUNCT__ i went to law_school __PUNCT__ becaus i want to understand how the law should work for those in need __PUNCT__

i becam a civil right lawyer __PUNCT__ and taught constitut_law __PUNCT__ and after a time __PUNCT__ i came to understand that our cherish right of liberti and equal depend on the activ_particip of an awaken elector __PUNCT__

it wa with these idea in mind that i arriv in thi capit_citi as a state_senat __PUNCT__

it wa here __PUNCT__ in springfield __PUNCT__ where i saw all that is america converg __PUNCT__ farmer and teacher __PUNCT__ businessmen and labor __PUNCT__ all of them with a stori to tell __PUNCT__ all of them seek a seat at the tabl __PUNCT__ all of them clamor to be heard __PUNCT__

i made last friendship here __PUNCT__ friend that i see in the audienc todai __PUNCT__

it wa here we learn to disagre without be disagre __PUNCT__ that it possibl to compromis so long as you know those principl that can never be compromis __PUNCT__ and that so long as we will to listen to each other __PUNCT__ we can assum the best in peopl instead of the worst __PUNCT__

that why we were abl to reform a death_penalti system that wa broken __PUNCT__

that why we were abl to give health_insur to children in need __PUNCT__

that why we made the tax_system more fair and just for work_famili __PUNCT__ and that why we pass ethic reform that the cynic said could never __PUNCT__ ever be pass __PUNCT__

it wa here __PUNCT__ in springfield __PUNCT__ where north __PUNCT__ south __PUNCT__ east and west come togeth that i wa remind of the essenti decenc of the american_peopl __PUNCT__ where i came to believ that through thi decenc __PUNCT__ we can build a more hope america __PUNCT__

and that is why __PUNCT__ in the shadow of the old state_capitol __PUNCT__ where lincoln onc call on a divid hous to stand togeth __PUNCT__ where common hope and common dream still __PUNCT__ i stand befor you todai to announc my candidaci for presid of the unit_state __PUNCT__

i recogn there is a certain presumptu __PUNCT__ a certain audac __PUNCT__ to thi announc __PUNCT__

i know i haven't spent a lot of time learn the wai of washington __PUNCT__

but i been there long enough to know that the wai of washington must chang __PUNCT__

the geniu of our founder is that thei design a system of govern that can be chang __PUNCT__

and we should take heart __PUNCT__ becaus we chang thi countri befor __PUNCT__

in the face of tyranni __PUNCT__ a band of patriot brought an empir to it knee __PUNCT__

in the face of secess __PUNCT__ we unifi a nation and set the captiv free __PUNCT__

in the face of depress __PUNCT__ we put_peopl back to work and lift million out of poverti __PUNCT__

we welcom immigr to our shore __PUNCT__ we open railroad to the west __PUNCT__ we land a man on the moon __PUNCT__ and we heard a king call to let justic roll down like water __PUNCT__ and righteous like a mighti stream __PUNCT__

each and everi time __PUNCT__ a new gener ha risen up and done what need to be done __PUNCT__

todai we ar call onc more __PUNCT__ and it is time for our gener to answer that call __PUNCT__

for that is our unyield faith __PUNCT__ that in the face of imposs odd __PUNCT__ peopl who love their countri can chang it __PUNCT__

that what abraham_lincoln understood __PUNCT__

he had hi doubt __PUNCT__

he had hi defeat __PUNCT__

he had hi setback __PUNCT__

but through hi will and hi word __PUNCT__ he move a nation and help free a peopl __PUNCT__

it is becaus of the million who ralli to hi caus that we ar no longer divid __PUNCT__ north and south __PUNCT__ slave and free __PUNCT__

it is becaus men and women of everi race __PUNCT__ from everi walk of life __PUNCT__ continu to march for freedom long after lincoln wa laid to rest __PUNCT__ that todai we have the chanc to face the challeng of thi millennium togeth __PUNCT__ as on peopl __PUNCT__ as american __PUNCT__

all of us know what those challeng ar todai __PUNCT__ a war with no end __PUNCT__ a depend on oil that threaten our futur __PUNCT__ school where too mani children aren't learn __PUNCT__ and famili struggl paycheck to paycheck despit work as hard as thei can __PUNCT__

we know the challeng __PUNCT__

we heard them __PUNCT__

we talk about them for year __PUNCT__

what stop us from meet these challeng is not the absenc of sound polici and sensibl plan __PUNCT__

what stop us is the failur of leadership __PUNCT__ the small of our polit __PUNCT__ the eas with which we distract by the petti and trivial __PUNCT__ our chronic avoid of tough decis __PUNCT__ our prefer for score cheap polit point instead of roll up our sleev and build a work consensu to tackl big_problem __PUNCT__

for the last six year we been told that our mount debt don't matter __PUNCT__ we been told that the anxieti american_feel about rise health_care_cost and stagnant wage ar an illus __PUNCT__ we been told that climat chang is a hoax __PUNCT__ and that tough talk and an ill __PUNCT__ conceiv war can replac diplomaci __PUNCT__ and strategi __PUNCT__ and foresight __PUNCT__

and when all els fail __PUNCT__ when katrina happen __PUNCT__ or the death_toll in iraq mount __PUNCT__ we been told that our crise ar somebodi els fault __PUNCT__

we distract from our real failur __PUNCT__ and told to blame the other parti __PUNCT__ or gai_peopl __PUNCT__ or immigr __PUNCT__

and as peopl have look awai in disillusion and frustrat __PUNCT__ we know what fill the void __PUNCT__

the cynic __PUNCT__ and the lobbyist __PUNCT__ and the special_interest who turn our govern into a game onli thei can afford to plai __PUNCT__

thei write the check and you get stuck with the bill __PUNCT__ thei get the access while you get to write a letter __PUNCT__ thei think thei own thi govern __PUNCT__ but we here todai to take it back __PUNCT__

the time for that polit is over __PUNCT__

it time to turn the page __PUNCT__

we made some progress alreadi __PUNCT__

i wa proud to help lead the fight in congress that led to the most sweep ethic reform sinc waterg __PUNCT__

but washington ha a long wai to go __PUNCT__

and it won't be easi __PUNCT__

that why we have to set prioriti __PUNCT__

we have to make hard choic __PUNCT__

and although govern will plai a crucial_role in bring about the chang we need __PUNCT__ more monei and program alon will not get us where we need to go __PUNCT__

each of us __PUNCT__ in our own live __PUNCT__ will have to accept respons __PUNCT__ for instil an ethic of achiev in our children __PUNCT__ for adapt to a more competit economi __PUNCT__ for strengthen our commun __PUNCT__ and share some measur of sacrific __PUNCT__

so let us begin __PUNCT__

let us begin thi hard_work togeth __PUNCT__

let us transform thi nation __PUNCT__

let us be the gener that reshap our economi to compet in the digit ag __PUNCT__

let set high_standard for our school and give them the resourc thei need to succe __PUNCT__

let recruit a new armi of teacher __PUNCT__ and give them better pai and more support in exchang for more account __PUNCT__

let make colleg more afford __PUNCT__ and let invest in scientif_research __PUNCT__ and let lai down broadband line through the heart of inner citi and rural town all across america __PUNCT__

and as our economi chang __PUNCT__ let be the gener that ensur our nation worker ar share in our prosper __PUNCT__

let protect the hard __PUNCT__ earn benefit their compani have promis __PUNCT__

let make it possibl for hardwork american to save for retir __PUNCT__

and let allow our union and their organ to lift up thi countri middl __PUNCT__ class again __PUNCT__

let be the gener that end_poverti in america __PUNCT__

everi singl_person will to work should be abl to get job_train that lead to a job __PUNCT__ and earn a live_wage that can pai the bill __PUNCT__ and afford child_care so their kid have a safe place to go when thei work __PUNCT__

let do thi __PUNCT__

let be the gener that final tackl our health_care crisi __PUNCT__

we can control_cost by focus on prevent __PUNCT__ by provid better treatment to the chronic ill __PUNCT__ and us technolog to cut the bureaucraci __PUNCT__

let be the gener that sai right here __PUNCT__ right now __PUNCT__ that we will have univers_health_care in america by the end of the next presid first term __PUNCT__

let be the gener that final free america from the tyranni of oil __PUNCT__

we can har homegrown __PUNCT__ altern fuel like ethanol and spur the product of more fuel __PUNCT__ effici car __PUNCT__

we can set up a system for cap greenhous_gase __PUNCT__

we can turn thi crisi of global_warm into a moment of opportun for innov __PUNCT__ and job_creation __PUNCT__ and an incent for busi that will serv as a model for the world __PUNCT__

let be the gener that make futur_gener proud of what we did here __PUNCT__

most of all __PUNCT__ let be the gener that never forget what happen on that __DATE___dai and confront the terrorist with everyth we got __PUNCT__

polit doesn't have to divid us on thi anymor __PUNCT__ we can work togeth to keep our countri safe __PUNCT__

i work with republican_senat dick lugar to pass a law that will secur and destroi some of the world deadliest __PUNCT__ unguard weapon __PUNCT__

we can work togeth to track terrorist down with a stronger militari __PUNCT__ we can tighten the net around their financ __PUNCT__ and we can improv our intellig capabl __PUNCT__

but let us also understand that ultim victori against our enemi will come onli by rebuild our allianc and export those ideal that bring hope and opportun to million around the globe __PUNCT__

but all of thi cannot come to pass until we bring an end to thi war in iraq __PUNCT__

most of you know i oppos thi war from the start __PUNCT__

i thought it wa a tragic_mistak __PUNCT__

todai we griev for the famili who have lost love on __PUNCT__ the heart that have been broken __PUNCT__ and the young live that could have been __PUNCT__

america __PUNCT__ it time to start bring our troop_home __PUNCT__

it time to admit that no amount of american_live can resolv the polit disagr that li at the heart of someon els civil_war __PUNCT__

that why i have a plan that will bring our combat troop_home by march of __NUM__ __PUNCT__

let the iraqi know that we will not be there forev is our last __PUNCT__ best hope to pressur the sunni and shia to come to the tabl and find peac __PUNCT__

final __PUNCT__ there is on other thing that is not too late to get right about thi war __PUNCT__ and that is the homecom of the men and women __PUNCT__ our veteran __PUNCT__ who have sacrif the most __PUNCT__

let us honor their valor by provid the care thei need and rebuild the militari thei love __PUNCT__

let us be the gener that begin thi work __PUNCT__

i know there ar those who don't believ we can do all these thing __PUNCT__

i understand the skeptic __PUNCT__

after all __PUNCT__ everi four year __PUNCT__ candid from both parti make similar promis __PUNCT__ and i expect thi year will be no differ __PUNCT__

all of us run for presid will travel around the countri offer ten __PUNCT__ point_plan and make grand speech __PUNCT__ all of us will trumpet those qualiti we believ make us uniqu qualifi to lead the countri __PUNCT__

but too mani time __PUNCT__ after the elect is over __PUNCT__ and the confetti is swept awai __PUNCT__ all those promis fade from memori __PUNCT__ and the lobbyist and the special_interest move in __PUNCT__ and peopl_turn awai __PUNCT__ disappoint as befor __PUNCT__ left to struggl on their own __PUNCT__

that is why thi campaign can't onli be about me __PUNCT__

it must be about us __PUNCT__ it must be about what we can do togeth __PUNCT__

thi campaign must be the occas __PUNCT__ the vehicl __PUNCT__ of your hope __PUNCT__ and your dream __PUNCT__

it will take your time __PUNCT__ your energi __PUNCT__ and your advic __PUNCT__ to push us forward when we do right __PUNCT__ and to let us know when we not __PUNCT__

thi campaign ha to be about reclaim the mean of citizenship __PUNCT__ restor our sens of common_purpos __PUNCT__ and realiz that few obstacl can withstand the power of million of voic call for chang __PUNCT__

by ourselv __PUNCT__ thi chang will not happen __PUNCT__

divid __PUNCT__ we ar bound to fail __PUNCT__

but the life of a tall __PUNCT__ gangli __PUNCT__ self __PUNCT__ made springfield lawyer tell us that a differ futur is possibl __PUNCT__

he tell us that there is power in word __PUNCT__

he tell us that there is power in convict __PUNCT__

that beneath all the differ of race and region __PUNCT__ faith and station __PUNCT__ we ar on peopl __PUNCT__

he tell us that there is power in hope __PUNCT__

as lincoln organ the forc arrai against slaveri __PUNCT__ he wa heard to sai __PUNCT__ of strang __PUNCT__ discord __PUNCT__ and even hostil element __PUNCT__ we gather from the four wind __PUNCT__ and form and fought to battl through __PUNCT__

that is our purpos here todai __PUNCT__

that why i in thi race __PUNCT__

not just to hold an offic __PUNCT__ but to gather with you to transform a nation __PUNCT__

i want to win that next battl __PUNCT__ for justic and opportun __PUNCT__

i want to win that next battl __PUNCT__ for better school __PUNCT__ and better job __PUNCT__ and health_care for all __PUNCT__

i want us to take up the unfinish busi of perfect our union __PUNCT__ and build a better america __PUNCT__

and if you will join me in thi improb quest __PUNCT__ if you feel destini call __PUNCT__ and see as i see __PUNCT__ a futur of endless possibl stretch befor us __PUNCT__ if you sens __PUNCT__ as i sens __PUNCT__ that the time is now to shake off our slumber __PUNCT__ and slough off our fear __PUNCT__ and make_good on the debt we ow past and futur_gener __PUNCT__ then i readi to take up the caus __PUNCT__ and march with you __PUNCT__ and work with you __PUNCT__

togeth __PUNCT__ start todai __PUNCT__ let us finish the work that need to be done __PUNCT__ and usher in a new birth of freedom on thi earth __PUNCT__