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[APPLAUSE]
[APPLAUSE]
[APPLAUSE]
THANK YOU 
[APPLAUSE]
THANK YOU.
THANK YOU.
[APPLAUSE]
THANK YOU.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
THANK YOU.
THANK YOU.
[APPLAUSE]
THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
THANK YOU.
THANK YOU.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
[APPLAUSE]
THANK YOU.
THANK YOU.
THANK YOU.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
THANK YOU.
[APPLAUSE]
THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
THANK YOU.
THANK YOU.
THANK YOU SO MUCH, EVERYBODY. 
THANK YOU.
THANK YOU SO MUCH.
THANK YOU, EVERYBODY. 
THANK YOU SO MUCH.
THANK YOU.
THANK YOU.
AUDIENCE: OBAMA!
OBAMA!
>> THANK YOU. 
AUDIENCE: YES, WE CAN!
YES, WE CAN!
>> THANK YOU. 
THANK YOU SO MUCH.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
THANK YOU, EVERYBODY. 
TO CHAIRMAN DEAN AND MY GREAT 
FRIEND DICK DURBIN, AND TO ALL  
MY FELLOW CITIZENS OF THIS  
GREAT NATION, WITH PROFOUND 
GRATITUDE AND GREAT HUMILITY, I 
ACCEPT YOUR NOMINATION FOR  
PRESIDENCY OF THE UNITED  
STATES! 
[APPLAUSE]
[APPLAUSE]  
LET ME -- LET ME EXPRESS -- LET 
ME EXPRESS MY THANKS TO THE 
HISTORIC SLATE OF CANDIDATES  
WHO ACCOMPANIED ME ON THIS  
JOURNEY, AND ESPECIALLY THE ONE 
WHO TRAVELED THE FARTHEST, A  
CHAMPION FOR WORKING AMERICANS  
AND AN INSPIRATION TO MY  
DAUGHTERS AND YOURS, HILLARY  
RODHAM CLINTON.
[APPLAUSE]
TO PRESIDENT CLINTON, TO  
PRESIDENT BILL CLINTON, WHO 
MADE LAST NIGHT THE CASE FOR  
CHANGE AS ONLY HE COULD MAKE  
IT. 
[APPLAUSE]
TO TED KENNEDY, WHO EMBODIES  
THE SPIRIT OF SERVICE.
[APPLAUSE]
AND TO THE NEXT VICE PRESIDENT  
OF THE UNITED STATES, JOE 
BIDEN, I THANK YOU. 
[APPLAUSE]
I AM GRATEFUL TO FINISH THIS  
JOURNEY WITH ONE OF THE FINEST  
STATESMEN OF OUR TIME, A MAN AT 
EASE WITH EVERYONE FROM WORLD 
LEADERS TO THE CONDUCTORS ON  
THE AMTRACK TRAIN HE STILL  
TAKES HOME EVERY NIGHT. 
TO THE LOVE OF MY LIFE, OUR 
NEXT FIRST LADY, MICHELLE 
OBAMA.
[APPLAUSE]
AND TO MALIA, AND SASHA, I LOVE 
YOU SO MUCH, AND I'M SO PROUD 
OF YOU. 
[APPLAUSE]
FOUR YEARS AGO I STOOD BEFORE 
YOU AND TOLD YOU MY STORY, OF 
THE BRIEF UNION BETWEEN A YOUNG 
MAN FROM KENYA AND A YOUNG  
WOMAN FROM KANSAS WHO WEREN'T 
WELL OFF OR WELL-KNOWN, BUT 
SHARED THE BELIEVE THAT THEIR 
SON COULD ACHIEVE WHATEVER HE 
PUT HIS MIND TO.
IT IS ALWAYS THAT PROMISE THAT  
SET THIS COUNTRY APART, THAT  
THROUGH HARD WORK AND SACRIFICE 
EACH OF US CAN PURSUE OUR 
INDIVIDUAL DREAMS BUT STILL ++
COME TOGETHER AS ONE AMERICAN 
FAMILY TO ENSURE THAT THE NEXT  
GENERATION CAN PURSUE THEIR 
DREAMS AS WELL. 
THAT'S WHY I STAND HERE 
TONIGHT.
BECAUSE FOR 232 YEARS, AT EACH  
MOMENT WHEN THAT PROMISE WAS IN 
JEOPARDY, ORDINARY MEN AND  
WOMEN, STUDENTS AND SOLDIERS, 
FARMERS AND TEACHERS, NURSES  
AND JANITORS, FOUND THE COURAGE 
TO KEEP IT ALIVE. 
WE MEET AT ONE OF THOSE 
DEFINING MOMENTS. 
A MOMENT WHEN OUR NATION IS AT  
WAR, OUR ECONOMY IS IN TURMOIL, 
AND THE AMERICAN PROMISE HAS  
BEEN THREATENED ONCE MORE.
TONIGHT, MORE AMERICANS ARE OUT 
OF WORK AND MORE ARE WORKING  
HARDER FOR LESS.
MORE OF YOU HAVE LOST THEIR 
HOMES, AND EVEN MORE ARE  
WATCHING YOUR HOME VALUES 
PLUMENT.
MORE OF YOU HAVE CARS YOU CAN'T 
AFFORD TO DRIVE, CREDIT CARDS,  
BILLS YOU CAN'T AFFORD TO PAY 
AND TUITION BEYOND YOUR REACH.
THESE CHALLENGES ARE NOT ALL OF 
GOVERNMENT'S MAKING, BUT THE  
FAILURE TO RESPOND IS A DIRECT  
RESULT OF A BROKEN POLITICS IN  
WASHINGTON AND THE FAILED 
POLICIES OF GEORGE W. BUSH.
[APPLAUSE]
AMERICA, WE ARE BETTER THAN 
THESE LAST EIGHT YEARS. 
WE ARE A BETTER COUNTRY THAN  
THIS. 
THIS COUNTRY'S MORE DECENT THAN 
ONE WHERE A WOMAN IN OHIO ON  
THE BRINK OF RETIREMENT FINDS 
HERSELF ONE ILLNESS AWAY FROM 
DISASTER AFTER A LIFETIME OF  
HARD WORK.
WE'RE A BETTER COUNTRY THAN ONE 
WHERE A MAN IN INDIANA HAS TO 
PACK UP THE EQUIPMENT HE'S  
WORKED ON FOR 20 YEARS AND  
WATCH AS IT'S SHIPPED OFF TO  
CHINA AND THEN CHOKES UP AS HE  
TELLS HIS FAMILY THE NEWS.
WE ARE MORE COMPASSIONATE THAN  
A GOVERNMENT THAT LETS VETERANS 
SLEEP ON OUR STREETS AND  
FAMILIES SLIDE INTO POVERTY,  
THAT SITS, THAT SITS ON ITS 
HANDS WHILE THE MAJOR AMERICAN  
CITY DROWNS BEFORE OUR EYES.
[APPLAUSE]
TONIGHT I SAY TO THE PEOPLE OF  
AMERICA, TO DEMOCRATS AND 
REPUBLICANS AND INDEPENDENTS  
ACROSS THIS GREAT LAND, ENOUGH! 
THIS MOMENT --  
[APPLAUSE]
THIS MOMENT, THIS ELECTION, IS  
OUR CHANCE TO KEEP IN THE 21ST  
CENTURY THE AMERICAN PROMISE  
ALIVE.
BECAUSE NEXT WEEK IN MINNESOTA  
THE SAME PARTY THAT BROUGHT YOU 
TWO TERMS OF GEORGE BUSH AND  
DICK CHENEY WILL ASK THIS 
COUNTRY FOR A THIRD.
AND WE ARE HERE -- WE ARE HERE  
BECAUSE WE LOVE THIS COUNTRY  
TOO MUCH TO LET THE NEXT FOUR 
YEARS LOOK JUST LIKE THE LAST 
EIGHT.
[APPLAUSE]
ON NOVEMBER 4 -- ON NOVEMBER 4, 
WE MUST STAND UP AND SAY EIGHT  
IS ENOUGH.
AUDIENCE: CHANTING  
>> NOW -- NOW LET ME -- LET --  
LET THERE BE NO DOUBT.
THE REPUBLICAN NOMINEE, JOHN  
MCCAIN, HAS WORN THE UNIFORM OF 
OUR COUNTRY WITH BRAVERY AND  
DISTINCTION AND FOR THAT WE OWE 
HIM OUR GRATITUDE AND RESPECT.
[APPLAUSE]
NEXT WEEK WE'LL ALSO HEAR ABOUT 
THOSE OCCASIONS WHEN HE'S 
BROKEN WITH HIS PARTY AS  
EVIDENCE HE CAN DELIVER THE 
CHANGE WE NEED. 
BUT THE RECORD'S CLEAR. 
JOHN MCCAIN HAS VOTED WITH  
GEORGE BUSH 90% OF THE TIME.
SENATOR MCCAIN LIKES TO TALK  
ABOUT JUDGMENT, BUT REALLY, 
WHAT DOES IT SAY ABOUT YOUR 
JUDGMENT WHEN YOU THINK GEORGE  
BUSH HAS BEEN RIGHT MORE THAN 
90% OF THE TIME?
[APPLAUSE]
I DON'T KNOW ABOUT YOU, BUT I 
AM NOT READY TO TAKE A 10%  
CHANCE ON CHANGE. 
[APPLAUSE]
THE TRUTH IS ON ISSUE AFTER 
ISSUE THAT WOULD MAKE A 
DIFFERENCE IN YOUR LIVES, ON  
HEALTHCARE, EDUCATION, THE  
ECONOMY, SENATOR MCCAIN HAS 
BEEN ANYTHING BUT INDEPENDENT.
HE SAID OUR ECONOMY HAS MADE  
GREAT PROGRESS UNDER THIS 
PRESIDENT.
HE SAID THAT THE FUNDAMENTALS 
OF THE ECONOMY ARE STRONG AND 
WHEN ONE OF HIS CHIEF ADVISORS, 
THE MAN WHO WROTE HIS ECONOMIC  
PLAN, WAS TALKING ABOUT THE 
ANXIETIES AMERICANS WERE  
FEELING HE SAID WE WERE 
SUFFERING FROM A MENTAL 
RECESSION AND THAT WE HAVE  
BECOME -- AND I QUOTE --" A 
NATION OF WHINERS". 
A "NATION OF WHINERS."
TELL THAT TO THE PROUD AUTO 
WORKERS AT THE MICHIGAN PLANT 
WHO AFTER THEY FOUND OUT IT WAS 
CLOSING KEPT SHOWING UP EVERY 
DAY AND WORKING AS HARD AS EVER 
BECAUSE THEY KNEW THERE WERE  +%
PEOPLE WHO COUNTED ON THE 
BRAKES THEY MADE. 
TELL THAT TO THE MILITARY 
FAMILIES WHOSE SHOULDER THEIR 
BURNS SILENTLY AS THEY WATCH  
THEIR LOVED ONES LEAVE FOR  
THEIR THIRD, FOURTH, FIFTH TOUR 
OF DUTY.
THESE ARE NOT WHINERS.
THEY WORK HARD. 
THEY GIVE BACK. 
THEY KEEP GOING WITHOUT 
COMPLAINT.
THESE ARE THE AMERICANS I KNOW.+
[APPLAUSE]
NOW I DON'T BELIEVE THAT  
SENATOR MCCAIN DOESN'T CARE 
WHAT'S GOING ON IN THE LIVES OF 
AMERICANS.
I JUST THINK HE DOESN'T KNOW. 
WHY ELSE WOULD HE DEFINE MIDDLE 
CLASS AS SOMEONE MAKING UNDER 
$5 MILLION A YEAR?
HOW ELSE COULD HE PROPOSE 
HUNDREDS OF BILL YANS IN TAX  
BREAKS FOR BIG COMPANIES BUT  
NOT ONE PENNY TO MORE THAN 1  
HOURBLINGS MILLION AMERICANS? 
HOW ELSE COULD HE OFFER A 
HEALTHCARE PLAN THAT WOULD TAX  
PEOPLE'S BENEFITS?
OR EDUCATION PLAN THAT WOULD DO 
NOTHING TO HELP FAMILIES PAY  
FOR COLLEGE?
OR A PLAN THAT WOULD PRIVATIZE  
SOCIAL SECURITY AND GAMBLE YOUR 
RETIREMENT? 
IT'S NOT BECAUSE JOHN MCCAIN  
DOESN'T CARE. +
IT'S BECAUSE JOHN MCCAIN  
DOESN'T GET IT. 
FOR OVER TWO DECADES -- FOR 
OVER TWO DECADES HE SUBSCRIBED  
TO THE OLD DISCREDITED  
REPUBLICAN PHILOSOPHY, GIVE 
MORE AND MORE TO THOSE WITH THE 
MOST AND HOPE PROSPERITY  
TRICKLES DOWN.
IN WASHINGTON THEY CALL IT THE  
OWNERSHIP SOCIETY.
BUT WHAT IT REALLY MEANS IS 
THAT YOU ARE ON YOUR OWN. 
OUT OF WORK, TOUGH LUCK.
YOU'RE ON YOUR OWN. 
NO HEALTHCARE?
THE MARKET WILL FIX IT. 
YOU'RE ON YOUR OWN. 
BORN INTO POVERTY?
PULL YOURSELF UP BY YOUR OWN  
BOOT STRAPS.
EVEN IF YOU DON'T HAVE BOOTS, 
YOU ARE ON YOUR OWN.
[APPLAUSE]
WELL, IT'S TIME FOR THEM TO OWN 
THEIR FAILURE.
IT'S TIME FOR US TO CHANGE  
AMERICA, AND THAT'S WHY I'M 
RUNNING FOR PRESIDENT OF THE  
UNITED STATES.
[APPLAUSE]
YOU SEE -- YOU SEE, WE  
DEMOCRATS HAVE A VERY DIFFERENT 
MEASURE OF WHAT CONSTITUTES 
PROGRESS IN THIS COUNTRY. 
WE MEASURE PROGRESS BY HOW MANY 
PEOPLE CAN FIND A JOB THAT PAYS 
THE MORTGAGE, WHETHER YOU CAN 
PUT A LITTLE EXTRA MONEY AWAY 
AT THE END OF THE MONTH SO YOU  
CAN SOMEDAY WATCH YOUR CHILD  
RECEIVE HER COLLEGE DIPLOME 
MASSACHUSETTS WE MEASURE  
PROGRESS IN THE 23 MILLION NEW  
JOBS CREATED WHEN BILL CLINTON  
WAS PRESIDENT.
WHEN THE AVERAGE AMERICAN 
FAMILY SAW ITS INCOME GO UP 
7500 INSTEAD OF GO DOWN $2,000  
LIKE IT HAS UNDER GEORGE BUSH.
[APPLAUSE]
WE MEASURE THE STRENGTH OF OUR  
ECONOMY NOT BY THE NUMBER OF  
BILLIONAIRES WE HAVE OR THE 
PROFITS OF THE MINORITY WHICH 
YOU KNOW 500 BUT BY WHETHER 
SOMEONE CAN TAKE A RISK AND 
START A NEW BUSINESS OR WHETHER 
THE WAITRESS WHO LIVES ON TIPS  
CAN TAKE A DAY OFF TO LOOK  
AFTER A SICK KID. 
AN ECONOMY THAT HONORS THE  
DIGNITY OF WORK.
THE FUNDAMENTALS WE USE TO  
MEASURE ECONOMIC STRENGTH OR  
WHETHER WE ARE LIVING UP TO 
THAT FUNDAMENTAL PROMISE THAT 
MADE THIS COUNTRY GREAT.
A PROMISE THAT IS THE ONLY  
REASON I AM STANDING HERE 
TONIGHT.
BECAUSE IN THE FACES OF THOSE 
YOUNG VETERANS WHO COME BACK  
FROM IRAQ AND AFGHANISTAN, I  
SEE MY GRANDFATHER, WHO SIGNED  
UP AFTER PEARL HARBOR, MARCHED  
IN PATTON'S ARMY, AND WAS 
REWARDED BY A GRATEFUL NATION 
WITH THE CHANCE TO GO TO  
COLLEGE ON THE G.I. BILL. 
IN THE FACE OF THAT YOUNG 
STUDENT WHO SLEEPS JUST THREE 
HOURS BEFORE WORKING THE NIGHT  
SHIFT, I THINK ABOUT MY MOM,  
WHO RAISED MY SISTER AND ME ON  
HER OWN WHILE SHE WORKED AND  
EARNED HER DEGREE, WHO ONCE 
TURNED TO FOOD STAMPS BUT WAS 
STILL ABLE TO SEND US TO THE  
BEST SCHOOLS IN THE COUNTRY 
WITH THE HELP OF STUDENT LOANS  
AND SCHOLARSHIPS. 
WHEN I LISTEN TO ANOTHER WORKER 
TELL ME THAT HIS FACTORY HAS  
SHUT DOWN, I REMEMBER THE MEN 
AND WOMEN ON THE SOUTH SIDE OF  
CHICAGO WHO I STOOD BY AND    
FOUGHT FOR TWO DECADES AGO  
AFTER THE LOCAL STEEL MILL  
CLOSED. 
WHEN I HEAR A WOMAN TALK ABOUT  
THE DIFFICULTIES OF STARTING  
HER OWN BUSINESS OR MAKING HER  
WAY IN THE WORLD I THINK ABOUT  
MY GRANDMOTHER WHO WORKED HER 
WAY UP FROM THE SECRETARIAL 
POOL TO MIDDLE MANAGEMENT 
DESPITE YEARS OF BEING PASSED 
OVER FOR PROMOTIONS BECAUSE SHE 
WAS A WOMAN.
SHE'S THE ONE WHO TAUGHT ME 
ABOUT HARD WORK.
SHE'S THE ONE WHO PUT OFF 
BUYING A NEW CAR OR NEW DRESS 
FOR HERSELF SO I COULD HAVE A 
BETTER LIFE.
SHE POURED EVERYTHING SHE HAD 
INTO ME, AND ALTHOUGH SHE CAN 
NO LONGER TRAVEL, I KNOW SHE'S  
WATCHING TONIGHT AND THAT 
TONIGHT IS HER NIGHT AS WELL. 
[APPLAUSE]
NOW I DON'T KNOW WHAT KIND OF 
LIES JOHN MCCAIN THINKS 
CELEBRITIES LEAD, BUT THIS HAS  
BEEN MINE.
THESE ARE MY HEROES.
THEIRS ARE THE STORIES THAT 
SHAPED MY LIFE. 
AND IT IS ON BEHALF OF THEM 
THAT I INTEND TO WIN THIS 
ELECTION AND KEEP OUR PROMISE 
ALIVE AS PRESIDENT OF THE 
UNITED STATES.
[APPLAUSE]
WHAT -- WHAT IS THAT AMERICAN 
PROMISE?
IT'S A PROMISE THAT SAYS EACH 
OF US HAS THE FREEDOM TO MAKE 
OF OUR OWN LIVES WHAT WE WILL,  
BUT WE ALSO HAVE OBLIGATIONS TO 
TREAT EACH OTHER WITH DIGNITY 
AND RESPECT.
IT'S A PROMISE THAT SAYS THE  
MARKET SHOULD REWARD DRIVE, 
INVASION AND GROWTH BUT 
BUSINESSES SHOULD LIVE UP TO  
THEIR RESPONSIBILITIES TO 
CREATE AMERICAN JOBS, LOOK OUT  
FOR AMERICAN WORKERS AND PLAY 
IT BY THE RULES OF THEIR OWN. 
OURS IS A PROMISE THAT SAYS 
GOVERNMENT CANNOT SOLVE ALL OUR 
PROBLEMS. 
BUT WHAT IT SHOULD DO IS THAT 
WHICH WE CANNOT DO FOR  
OURSELVES, PROTECT US FROM HARM 
AND PROVIDE EVERY CHILD A 
DECENT EDUCATION, KEEP OUR  
WATER CLEAN AND TOYS SAFE.
INVEST IN NEW SCHOOLS, ROADS, 
SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY.
OUR GOVERNMENT SHOULD WORK FOR  
US, NOT AGAINST US. 
IT SHOULD HELP US, NOT HURT US. 
IT SHOULD ENSURE OPPORTUNITY, 
NOT JUST FOR THOSE WITH THE 
MOST MONEY AND INFLUENCE BUT  
FOR EVERY AMERICAN WHO'S  
WILLING TO WORK.
THAT'S THE PROMISE OF AMERICA.
THE IDEA THAT WE ARE  
RESPONSIBLE FOR OURSELVES BUT 
WE ALSO RISE OR FALL AS ONE 
NATION. 
THE FUNDAMENTAL BELIEVE THAT I  
AM MY BROTHER'S KEEPER. 
I AM MY SISTER'S KEEPER.
THAT'S THE PROMISE WE NEED TO 
KEEP. 
THAT'S THE CHANGE WE NEED RIGHT 
NOW.
[APPLAUSE]
SO LET ME -- LET ME SPELL OUT 
EXACTLY WHAT THAT CHANGE WOULD  
MEAN IF I AM PRESIDENT. 
[APPLAUSE]
CHANGE MEANS A TAX CODE THAT  
DOESN'T REWARD THE LOBBYISTS  
WHO WROTE IT BUT THE AMERICAN 
WORKERS AND SMALL BUSINESSES  
WHO DESERVE IT. 
[APPLAUSE]
YOU KNOW, UNLIKE JOHN MCCAIN I  
WILL STOP GIVING TAX BREAKS TO  
COMPANIES THAT SHIP JOBS  
OVERSEAS, AND WILL START GIVING 
THEM TO COMPANIES THAT CREATE 
GOOD JOBS RIGHT HERE IN 
AMERICA.
I'LL ELIMINATE CAPITAL GAINS  
TAXES FOR THE SMALL BUSINESSES  
AND START-UPS THAT CREATE THE 
HIGH WAGE, HIGH-TECH JOBS OF  
TOMORROW. 
I WILL -- LISTEN NOW. 
I WILL CUT TAXES -- CUT TAXES 
-- FOR 95% OF ALL WORKING 
FAMILIES. 
BECAUSE IN AN ECONOMY LIKE  
THIS, THE LAST THING WE SHOULD  
DO IS RAISE TAXES ON THE MIDDLE 
CLASS.
AND FOR THE SAKE OF OUR 
ECONOMY, OUR SECURITY, AND THE  
FUTURE OF OUR PLANET I WILL SET 
A CLEAR GOAL AS PRESIDENT IN 10 
YEARS WE WILL FINALLY END OUR 
DEPENDENCE ON OIL FROM THE  
MIDDLE EAST.
[APPLAUSE]
WE WILL DO THIS.
WASHINGTON -- WASHINGTON'S BEEN 
TALKING ABOUT OUR OIL ADDICTION 
FOR THE LAST 30 YEARS.
AND BY THE WAY, JOHN MCCAIN'S 
BEEN THERE FOR 26 OF THEM.
AND IN THAT TIME, HE HAS SAID 
NO TO HIGHER FUEL EFFICIENCY  
STANDARDS FOR CARS. 
NO TO INVESTMENT IN RENEWABLE 
ENERGY. 
NO TO RENEWABLE FUELS.
TODAY WE IMPORT TRIPLE THE  
AMOUNT OF OIL THAN WE HAD ON  
THE DAY SENATOR MCCAIN TOOK 
OFFICE. 
NOW IS THE TIME TO END THIS 
ADDICTION.
AND TO UNDERSTAND THAT DRILLING 
IS A STOPGAP MEASURE, NOT A 
LONG-TERM SOLUTION. 
NOT EVEN CLOSE. 
AS PRESIDENT I WILL TAP OUR 
NATURAL GAS RESERVES, INVEST IN 
CLEAN COAL TECHNOLOGY, AND FIND 
WAYS TO SAFELY HARNESS NUCLEAR  
POWER.
I'LL HELP OUR AUTO COMPANIES  
RETOOL SO THE FUEL EFFICIENT  
CARS OF THE FUTURE ARE BUILT  
RIGHT HERE IN AMERICA.
I'LL MAKE IT EASIER FOR THE 
AMERICAN PEOPLE TO AFFORD THESE 
NEW CARS, AND I'LL INVEST $150  
BILLION OVER THE NEXT DECADE IN 
AFFORDABLE, RENEWABLE SOURCES 
OF ENERGY, WIND POWER, SOLAR  
POWER, THE NEXT GENERATION OF 
BIOFUELS, AN INVESTMENT THAT  
WILL LEAD TO FIVE BILLION NEW 
JOBS THAT PAY WELL ANT CAN'T BE 
OUTSOURCED. 
AMERICA, NOW IS NOT THE TIME  
FOR SMALL PLANS.
NOW IS THE TIME TO FINALLY MEET 
OUR MORAL OBLIGATION, TO  
PROVIDE EVERY CHILD A WORLD 
CLASS EDUCATION BECAUSE IT WILL 
TAKE NOTHING LESS TO COMPETE IN 
THE GLOBAL COMMIFMENT YOU KNOW, 
MICHELLE AND I ARE ONLY HERE  
TONIGHT BECAUSE WE WERE GIVEN A 
CHANCE AT AN EDUCATION, AND I 
WILL NOT SETTLE FOR AN AMERICA  
WHERE SOME KIDS DON'T HAVE THAT 
CHANCE. 
[APPLAUSE]
I'LL INVEST IN EARLY CHILDHOOD  
EDUCATION.
I'LL RECRUIT AN ARMY OF NEW 
TEACHERS AND PAY THEM HIGHER  
SALARIES AND GIVE THEM MORE 
SUPPORT.
[APPLAUSE]
AND IN EXCHANGE I'LL ASK FOR  
HIGHER STANDARDS AND MORE 
ACCOUNTABILITY, AND WE WILL 
KEEP OUR PROMISE TO EVERY YOUNG 
AMERICAN, IF YOU COMMIT TO  
SERVING YOUR COMMUNITY OR OUR 
COUNTRY, WE WILL MAKE SURE YOU  
CAN AFFORD A COLLEGE EDUCATION. 
[APPLAUSE]
NOW IS THE TIME TO FINALLY KEEP 
THE PROMISE OF AFFORDABLE,  
ACCESSIBLE HEALTHCARE FOR EVERY 
SINGLE AMERICAN.
IF YOU HAVE HEALTHCARE -- IF  
YOU HAVE HEALTHCARE, MY PLAN  
WILL LOWER YOUR PREMIUMS. 
IF YOU DON'T, YOU'LL BE ABLE TO 
GET THE SAME COVERAGE MEMBERS 
OF CONGRESS GIVE THEMSELVES.
AND AS SOMEONE WHO WATCHED MY 
MOTHER ARGUE WITH INSURANCE 
COMPANIES WHILE SHE LAY IN BED  
DYING OF CANCER, I WILL MAKE  
CERTAIN THOSE COMPANIES STOP  
DISCRIMINATING AGAINST THOSE  
WHO ARE SICK AND NEED CARE THE  
MOST. 
[APPLAUSE]
NOW IS THE TIME TO HELP 
FAMILIES WITH PAID SICK DAYS  
AND BETTER FAMILY LEAVE BECAUSE 
NOBODY IN AMERICA SHOULD HAVE 
TO CHOOSE BETWEEN KEEPING THEIR 
JOB OR CARING FOR A SICK CHILD  
OR AILING PARENT. 
NOW IS THE TIME TO CHANGE THE 
BANKRUPTCY LAWS SO YOUR 
PENSIONS ARE PROTECTED ABOVE  
CEO BONUSES AND THE TIME TO 
PROTECT SOCIAL SECURITY FOR 
FUTURE GENERATIONS. 
NOW IS THE TIME TO KEEP THE 
PROMISE OF EQUAL PAY FOR AN 
EQUAL DAY'S WORK BECAUSE I WANT 
MY DAUGHTERS TO HAVE THE SAME 
OPPORTUNITIES AS YOUR SONS. 
[APPLAUSE]
NOW MANY OF THESE PLANS WILL  
COST MONEY, WHICH IS WHY I HAVE 
LAID OUT HOW I WILL PAY FOR 
EVERY DIME, BY CLOSING  
CORPORATE LOOPHOLES AND TAX 
HAVENS THAT DON'T HELP AMERICA  
GROW. 
BUT I WILL ALSO GO THROUGH THE  
FEDERAL BUDGET LINE BY LINE,  
ELIMINATING PROGRAMS THAT NO  
LONGER WORK AND MAKING THE ONES 
WE DO NEED WORK BETTER AND COST 
LESS BECAUSE WE CANNOT MEET 
21ST CENTURY CHALLENGES WITH A  
20TH CENTURY BUREAUCRACY. 
AND DEMOCRATS, WE MUST ALSO 
ADMIT THAT FULFILLING AMERICA'S 
PROMISE WILL REQUIRE MORE THAN  
JUST MONEY. 
IT WILL REQUIRE A RENEWED SENSE 
OF RESPONSIBILITY FROM EACH OF  
US TO RECOVER WHAT JOHN F.  
KENNEDY CALLED OUR INTELLECTUAL 
AND MORAL STRENGTH. 
YES, GOVERNMENT MUST LEAD ON  
ENERGY INDEPENDENCE, BUT EACH 
OF US MUST DO OUR PART TO MAKE  
OUR HOMES AND BUSINESSES MORE 
EFFICIENT.
YES, WE MUST PROVIDE MORE 
LADDERS TO SUCCESS TO YOUNG MEN 
WHO FALL IN THE LIVES OF CRIME  
AND DESPAIR BUT WE MUST ADMIT 
PROGRAMS ALONE CAN'T REPLACE  
PARENTS, GOVERNMENT CAN'T TURN  
OFF THE TELEVISION AND MAKE A 
CHILD DO HOMEWORK, THAT FATHERS 
MUST TAKE MORE RESPONSIBILITY 
TO PROVIDE LOVE AND GUIDANCE TO 
THEIR CHILDREN. 
[APPLAUSE]
INDIVIDUAL RESPONSIBILITY AND 
MUTUAL RESPONSIBILITY, THAT'S 
THE ESSENCE OF AMERICA'S  
PROMISE, AND JUST AS WE KEEP  
OUR PROMENTS TO THE NEXT  
GENERATION HERE AT HOME, SO 
MUST WE KEEP AMERICA'S PROMISE  
ABROAD. 
IF JOHN MCCAIN WANTS TO HAVE A  
DEBATE ABOUT WHO HAS THE  
TEMPRAMENT AND JUDGMENT TO  
SERVE AS THE NEXT COMMANDER IN  
CHIEF THAT'S A DEBATE I'M READY 
TO HAVE.
[APPLAUSE]
FOR -- FOR A WHILE, WHILE 
SENATOR MCCAIN TURNED HIS 
SIGHTS TO IRAQ, JUST DAYS AFTER 
9/11, I STOOD UP AND OPPOSED  
THIS WAR, KNOWING IT WOULD  
DISTRACT US FROM THE REAL 
THREATS WE FACE.
WHEN JOHN MCCAIN SAID WE COULD  
JUST MUDDLE THROUGH IN  
AFGHANISTAN, I ARGUED FOR MORE  
RESOURCES AND MORE TROOPS TO  
FINISH THE FIGHT AGAINST THE  
TERRORISTS WHO ACTUALLY 
ATTACKED US ON 9/11 AND MADE  
CLEAR WE MUST TAKE OUT OSAMA  
BIN LADIN AND HIS LIEUTENANTS 
IF WE HAVE THEM IN OUR SIGHTS.
YOU KNOW, JOHN MCCAIN LIKES TO  
SAY THAT HE'LL FOLLOW BEN LADIN 
TO THE GATES OF HELL BUT HE 
WON'T FOLLOW HIM TO THE CAVE  
WHERE HE LIVES. 
[APPLAUSE]
AND TODAY, TODAY, AS MY CALL  
FOR A TIME FRAME TO REMOVE OUR  
TROOPS FROM IRAQ HAS BEEN 
ECHOED BY THE IRAQI GOVERNMENT  
AND EVEN THE BUSH 
ADMINISTRATION, EVEN AFTER WE 
LEARNED THAT IRAQ HAS 79  
BILLION DOLLARS IN SURPLUS  
WHILE WE ARE WALLOWING IN 
DEFICIT, JOHN MCCAIN STANDS 
ALONE IN HIS STUBBORN REFUSAL 
TO END THE MISGUIDED WAR. 
THAT'S NOT THE JUDGMENT WE  
NEED. 
THAT WON'T KEEP AMERICA SAFE. 
WE NEED A PRESIDENT WHO CAN 
FACE THE THREATS OF THE FUTURE, 
NOT KEEP GRASPING AT THE IDEAS  
OF THE PAST.
[APPLAUSE]  
YOU DON'T DEFEAT. 
YOU DON'T DEFEAT A TERRORIST  
NETWORK THAT OPERATES IN 80 
COUNTRIES BY OCCUPYING IRAQ.
YOU DON'T PROTECT ISRAEL AND  
DETER IRAN JUST BY TALKING  
TOUGH IN WASHINGTON.
YOU CAN'T TRULY STAND UP FOR  
GEORGIA WHEN YOU HAVE STRAINED  
OUR OLDEST ALLIANCES. 
IF JOHN MCCAIN WANTS TO FOLLOW  
GEORGE BUSH WITH MORE TOUGH 
TALK AND BAD STRATEGY, THAT IS  
HIS CHOICE, BUT THAT IS NOT THE 
CHANGE THAT AMERICA NEEDS.
[APPLAUSE]
WE ARE THE PARTY OF ROOSEVELT.
WE ARE THE PARTY OF KENNEDY.
SO DON'T TELL ME THAT DEMOCRATS 
WON'T DEFEND THIS COUNTRY.
DON'T TELL ME DEMOCRATS WON'T 
KEEP US SAFE. 
THE BUSH-MCCAIN FOREIGN POLICY  
HAS SQUANDERED THE LEGACY OF  
GENERATIONS OF AMERICANS, 
DEMOCRATS AND REPUBLICANS HAVE  
BUILT.
WE ARE HERE TO RESTORE THAT 
LEGACY.
[APPLAUSE]
AS COMMANDER IN CHIEF I WILL  
NEVER HESITATE TO DEFEND THIS 
NATION, BUT I WILL ONLY SEND  
OUR TROOPS INTO HARM'S WAY WITH 
A CLEAR MISSION AND A SACRED  
COMMITMENT TO GIVE THEM THE 
EQUIPMENT THEY NEED IN BATTLE 
AND THE CARE AND BENEFITS THEY  
DESERVE WHEN THEY COME HOME.
[APPLAUSE]
I WILL END THIS WAR IN IRAQ 
RESPONSIBLY AND FINISH THE  
FIGHT AGAINST AL QAEDA AND THE  
TALIBAN IN AFGHANISTAN. 
I WILL REBUILD OUR MILITARY TO  
MEET FUTURE CONFLICTS, BUT I  
WILL ALSO RENEW THE TOUGH,  
DIRECT DIPLOMACY THAT CAN 
PREVENT IRAN FROM OBTAINING 
NUCLEAR WEAPONS AND CURB  
RUSSIAN AGGRESSION. 
I WILL BUILD NEW PARTNERSHIPS 
TO DEFEAT THE THREATS OF THE  
21ST CENTURY, TERRORISM AND 
NUCLEAR PROLIFERATION, POVERTY  
AND DISEASE.
I WILL RESTORE OUR MORAL  
STANDING SO AMERICA IS ONCE 
AGAIN THAT LAST, BEST HOPE FOR  
ALL WHO ARE CALLED TO THE CAUSE 
OF FREEDOM, WHO LONG FOR LIVES  
OF PEACE AND WHO YEARN FOR A  
BETTER FUTURE.
[APPLAUSE]
THESE -- THESE ARE THE POLICIES 
I WILL PURSUE.
AND IN THE WEEKS AHEAD I LOOK 
FORWARD TO DEBATING THEM WITH 
JOHN MCCAIN.
BUT WHAT I WILL NOT DO IS 
SUGGEST THAT THE SENATOR TAKES  
HIS POSITIONS FOR POLITICAL 
PURPOSES BECAUSE ONE OF THE 
THINGS WE HAD TO CHANGE IN OUR  
POLITICS IS THE IDEA PEOPLE 
CAN'T DISAGREE WITHOUT  
CHALLENGING EACH OTHER'S  
CHARACTER AND EACH OTHER'S  
PATRIOTISM. 
[APPLAUSE]
THE TIMES ARE TOO SERIOUS.
THE STAKES ARE TOO HIGH FOR 
THIS SAME PARTISAN PLAYBOOK SO  
LET US AGREE THAT PATRIOTISM  
HAS NO PARTY. 
I LOVE THIS COUNTRY, AND SO DO  
YOU, AND SO DOES JOHN MCCAIN. 
THE MEN AND WOMEN WHO SERVE IN  
OUR BATTLEFIELDS MAY BE 
DEMOCRATS AND REPUBLICANS AND 
INDEPENDENTS, BUT THEY ARE  
FOUGHT TOGETHER AND BLED  
TOGETHER, AND SOME DIED 
TOGETHER UNDER THE SAME PROUD 
FLAG. 
THEY HAVE NOT SERVED A RED  
AMERICA OR A BLUE AMERICA.
THEY HAVE SERVED THE UNITED 
STATES OF AMERICA.
[APPLAUSE]
AUDIENCE: U.S.A.! 
U.S.A.! 
U.S.A.!
SO I HAVE GOT NEWS FOR YOU, 
JOHN MCCAIN, WE ALL PUT OUR 
COUNTRY FIRST.
AMERICA, OUR WORK WILL NOT BE 
EASY. 
THE CHALLENGES WE FACE REQUIRE  
TOUGH CHOICES.
DEMOCRATS, AS WELL AS 
REPUBLICANS, WILL NEED TO CAST  
OFF WORN OUT IDEAS AND POLITICS 
OF THE PAST.
FOR PART OF WHAT HAS BEEN LOST  
THESE EIGHT YEARS CAN'T JUST BE 
MEASURED BY LOST WAGES OR BIG 
PER TRADE DEFICITS. 
WHAT HAS ALSO BEEN LOST IS OUR  
SENSE OF COMMON PURPOSE.
AND THAT'S WHAT WE HAVE TO  
RESTORE.
WE MAY NOT AGREE ON ABORTION, 
BUT SURELY WE CAN AGREE ON  
REDUCING THE NUMBER OF UNWANTED 
PREGNANCIES IN THIS COUNTRY.
THE REALITY OF GUN OWNERSHIP  
MAY BE DIFFERENT FOR HUNTERS IN 
RURAL OHIO THAN THOSE PLAGUED 
BY GANG VIOLENCE IN CLEVELAND,  
BUT DON'T TELL ME WE CAN'T  
UPHOLD THE SECOND AMENDMENT 
WHILE KEEPING A.K. 47'S OUT OF  
THE HANDS OF CRIMINALS. 
I KNOW THERE ARE DIFFERENCES ON 
SAME SEX MARRIAGE, BUT SURELY 
WE CAN AGREE OUR GAY AND  
LESBIAN BROTHERS AND SISTERS  
DESERVE TO VISIT THE PEOPLE 
THEY LOVE IN THE HOSPITAL AND 
TO LIVE LIVES FREE OF 
DISCRIMINATION. 
[APPLAUSE]
PASSIONS MAY FLY ON 
IMMIGRATION, BUT I DON'T KNOW 
ANYONE WHO BENEFITS WHEN A  
MOTHER IS SEPARATED FROM HER  
INFANT CHILD OR AN EMPLOYER 
UNDERCUTS AMERICAN WAGES BY 
HIRING ILLEGAL WORKERS. 
THIS, TOO, IS PART OF AMERICA'S 
PROMISE.
THE PROMISE OF A DEMOCRACY  
WHERE WE CAN FIND THE STRENGTH  
AND GRACE TO BRIDGE DIVIDES AND 
UNITE IN COMMON EFFORT. 
I KNOW THERE ARE THOSE WHO  
DISMISS SUCH BELIEVES AS HAPPY  
TALK. 
THEY CLAIM THAT OUR INSIS SENSE 
ON SOMETHING LARGER, MORE 
FIRMER IS A THROW JANUARY HORSE 
FOR HIGHER TAXES AND THE  
ABANDONMENT OF THINGS, AND  
THAT'S TO BE EXPECTED BECAUSE 
IF YOU DON'T HAVE ANY FRESH 
IDEAS YOU USE STEAL TACTICS TO  
SCARE VOTERS. 
IF YOU DON'T HAVE A RECORD TO 
RUN ON, THEN YOU PAINT YOUR 
OPPONENT AS SOMEONE PEOPLE  
SHOULD RUN FROM.
YOU MAKE A BIG ELECTION ABOUT 
SMALL THINGS. 
AND YOU KNOW WHAT?
IT'S WORKED BEFORE. 
BECAUSE IT FEEDS INTO THE 
CYNICISM WE ALL HAVE ABOUT  
GOVERNMENT. 
WHEN WASHINGTON DOESN'T WORK, 
ALL ITS PROMISES SEEM EMPTY.+
IF YOUR HOPES HAVE BEEN DASHED  
AGAIN AND AGAIN, THEN IT'S BEST 
TO STOP HOPING AND SETTLE FOR 
WHAT YOU ALREADY KNOW.
I GET IT. 
I REALIZE THAT I'M NOT THE  
LIKELIEST CANDIDATE FOR THIS  
OFFICE. 
I DON'T FIT THE TYPICAL 
PEDIGREE, AND I HAVEN'T SPENT 
MY CAREER IN THE HALLS OF 
WASHINGTON. 
BUT I STAND BEFORE YOU TONIGHT  
BECAUSE ALL ACROSS AMERICA  
SOMETHING IS STIRRING.
WHAT THE NAY SAYERS DON'T 
UNDERSTAND IS THAT THIS 
ELECTION HAS NEVER BEEN ABOUT 
ME. 
IT'S ABOUT YOU. 
[APPLAUSE]
IT'S ABOUT YOU. 
FOR 18 LONG MONTHS YOU HAVE 
STOOD UP, ONE BY ONE, AND SAID  
ENOUGH TO THE POLITICS OF THE 
PAST. 
YOU UNDERSTAND THAT IN THIS 
ELECTION THE GREATEST RISK WE 
COULD TAKE IS TO TRY THE SAME 
OLD POLITICS WITH THE SAME OLD  
PLAYERS AND EXPECT A DIFFERENT  
RESULT. 
YOU HAVE SHOWN WHAT HISTORY 
TEACHES US. 
THAT IN DEFINING MOMENTS LIKE 
THIS ONE THE CHANGE DOESN'T +
COME FROM WASHINGTON. 
CHANGE COMES TO WASHINGTON. +
[APPLAUSE]
CHANGE HAPPENS BECAUSE THE  
AMERICAN PEOPLE DEMAND IT,  
BECAUSE THEY RISE UP AND INSIST 
ON NEW IDEAS AND NEW  
LEADERSHIP, A NEW POLITICS FOR  
A NEW TIME. 
AMERICA, THIS IS ONE OF THOSE 
MOMENTS.
I BELIEVE THAT AS HARD AS IT  
WILL BE, THE CHANGE WE NEED IS  
COMING BECAUSE I HAVE SEEN IT.
BECAUSE I HAVE LIVED IT.
BECAUSE I HAVE SEEN IT IN 
ILLINOIS WHEN WE PROVIDED 
HEALTHCARE TO MORE CHILDREN AND 
MOVED MORE FAMILIES FROM  
WELFARE TO WORK.
I HAVE SEEN IT IN WASHINGTON  
WHERE WE WORKED ACROSS PARTY  
LINES TO OPEN UP GOVERNMENT AND 
HOLD LOBBYISTS MORE 
ACCOUNTABLE, TO GET BETTER CARE 
FOR VETERANS AND KEEP NUCLEAR 
WEAPONS OUT OF THE HANDS OF 
TERRORISTS. 
I HAVE SEEN IT IN THIS CAMPAIGN 
IN THE YOUNG PEOPLE WHO VOTED 
THE FIRST TIME AND THE YOUNG AT 
HEART, THOSE WHO GOT INVOLVED 
AGAIN AFTER THE LONG TIME.
IN THE REPUBLICANS WHO NEVER  
THOUGHT THEY WOULD PICK UP A  
DEMOCRATIC BALLOT BUT DID.
I HAVE SEEN IT IN THE WORKERS 
WHO WOULD RATHER CUT THEIR  
HOURS BACK A DAY, EVEN THOUGH 
THEY CAN'T AFFORD IT, THAN SEE  
THEIR FRIENDS LOSE THEIR JOBS.
IN THE SOLDIERS WHO REENLIST  
AFTER LOSING A LIMB, IN THE 
GOOD NEIGHBORS WHO TAKE A 
STRANGER IN WHEN THE HURRICANE  
STRIKES AND THE FLOODWATERS 
RISE. 
YOU KNOW, THIS COUNTRY OF OURS  
HAS MORE WEALTH THAN ANY  
NATION, BUT THAT'S NOT WHAT 
MAKES US RICH.
WE HAVE THE MOST POWERFUL 
MILITARY ON EARTH, BUT THAT'S 
NOT WHAT MAKES US STRONG. 
OUR UNIVERSITIES AND OUR  
CULTURE ARE THE ENVY OF THE 
WORLD BUT THAT'S NOT WHAT KEEPS 
THE WORLD COMEING TO OUR  
SHORES. 
IT IS THE AMERICAN SPIRIT, THAT 
AMERICAN PROMISE, THAT PUSHES 
US FORWARD EVEN WHEN THE PATH 
IS UNCERTAIN THAT BINDS US  
TOGETHER IN SPITE OF OUR  
DIFFERENCES, THAT MAKES US FIX  
OUR EYE NOT ON WHAT IS SEEN BUT 
WHAT IS UNSEEN. 
THAT BETTER PLACE AROUND THE  
BEND. 
THAT PROMISE IS OUR GREATEST  
INHERIT ANSWER. 
IT IS A MR. OR MRS. I MAKE TO 
MY DAUGHTERS WHEN I TUCK THEM 
IN AT NIGHT AND A PROMISE THAT  
YOU MAKE TO YOURS, A PROMISE  
THAT HAS LED IMMIGRANTS TO  
CROSS OCEANS AND PIE NEVERS TO  
TRAVEL WEST, A PROMISE THAT LED 
WORKERS TO PICTURE LINES AND  
WOMEN TO REACH FOR THE BALLOT.
[APPLAUSE]
AND IT IS THAT PROMISE THAT 45  
YEARS AGO TODAY BROUGHT 
AMERICANS FROM EVERY CORNER OF  
THIS LAND TO STAND TOGETHER ON  
A MALL IN WASHINGTON BEFORE 
LINCOLN'S MEMORIAL AND HEAR A 
YOUNG PREACHER FROM GEORGIA 
SPEAK OF HIS DREAM. 
[APPLAUSE]
THE MEN AND WOMEN WHO GATHERED  
THERE COULD HAVE HEARD MANY 
THINGS. 
THEY COULD HAVE HEARD WORDS OF  
ANGER AND DISCORD.
THEY COULD HAVE BEEN TOLD TO  
SUCCUMB TO THE FEAR AND 
FRUSTRATIONS OF SO MANY DREAMS  
DEFFERED, BUT WHAT THE PEOPLE 
HEARD INSTEAD, PEOPLE OF EVERY  
CREED AND COLOR, FROM EVERY 
WALK OF LIFE, IS THAT IN  
AMERICA OUR DESTINY IS  
INEXTRICABLY LINKED, THAT 
TOGETHER OUR DREAMS CAN BE WON. 
WE CANNOT WALK ALONE, THE 
PREACHER CRIED. 
AND AS WE WALK, WE MUST MAKE  
THE PLEDGE THAT WE SHALL ALWAYS 
MARCH AHEAD.
WE CANNOT TURN BACK.
AMERICA, WE CANNOT TURN BACK. 
NOT WITH SO MUCH WORK TO BE 
DONE. 
NOT WITH SO MANY CHILDREN TO  
EDUCATE AND SO MANY VETERANS TO 
CARE FOR, NOT WITH AN ECONOMY 
TO FIX AND CITIES TO REBUILD  
AND FARMS TO SAVE, NOT WITH SO  
MANY FAMILIES TO PROTECT AND SO 
MANY LIVES TO MEND. 
AMERICA, WE CANNOT TURN BACK. 
WE CANNOT WALK ALONE. 
AT THIS MOMENT, IN THIS 
ELECTION, WE MUST PLEDGE ONCE 
MORE TO MARCH INTO THE FUTURE.
LET US KEEP THAT PROMISE THAT 
AMERICAN PROMISE, AND IN THE  
WORDS OF SCRIPTURE, HOLD FIRMLY 
WITHOUT WAVERS TO THE HOPE WE 
CONFESS.
THANK YOU.
GOD BLESS YOU, AND GOD BLESS  
THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.
[APPLAUSE]
♪
SUN COMING UP OVER NEW YORK 
CITY  
♪
SCHOOL BUS DRIVER IN HIS  
TRAFFIC JAM ♪
♪ STEPPING   OUT 
♪
FACES IN THE REAR VIEW MIRROR 
♪
LOOKING AT THE PROMISE OF A 
PROMISE LAND ♪ 
♪ ONE KID DREAMS ABOUT FAME  
AND FORTUNE 
♪
ONE KID HELPS PAY THE RENT ♪ 
♪ ONE COULD END UP GOING TO  
PRISON  
♪
ONE JUST MIGHT BE PRESIDENT ♪
♪ ONLY IN AMERICA  
♪
DREAMING IN RED WHITE BLUE ♪ 
♪ ONLY IN AMERICA  
♪
WHERE WE DREAM AS BIG AS WE 
WANT TO ♪
♪ WE ALL GET A CHANCE  
♪
EVERYBODY GETS TO DANCE ♪
♪ ONLY IN AMERICA  
♪
SUN GOING DOWN ON AN L.A. 
FREEWAY 
♪
IN THE BACK OF A LIMOUSINE  
♪
WELDERS SON AND A BANKER'S SON  
♪
ALL THEY WANT IS EVERYTHING ♪
♪ SHE CAME OUT HERE TO BE AN 
ACTRESS 
♪
HE WAS A SINGER IN A BAND ♪
♪ THEY JUST MIGHT GO BACK TO 
OKLAHOMA ♪ 
♪ 
[APPLAUSE]
♪
♪
. 
.
