The most presidential lorem ipsum in history.
I believe that we can give our middle class relief and provide working families with a road to opportunity. It's the wisdom Moses imparted to those who would succeed him. For over a thousand years, Al-Azhar has stood as a beacon of Islamic learning, and for over a century, Cairo University has been a source of Egypt's advancement. We are taking concrete actions to change course. Freedom of religion is central to the ability of peoples to live together.
In my first book, Dreams From My Father, I described the experience of my first service at Trinity: It is that promise that has always 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. John McCain likes to say that he'll follow bin Laden to the Gates of Hell - but he won't even go to the cave where he lives. The reality of gun ownership may be different for hunters in rural Ohio than for those plagued by gang-violence in Cleveland, but don't tell me we can't uphold the Second Amendment while keeping AK-47s out of the hands of criminals.
John Kerry believes in America. We measure progress in the 23 million new jobs that were created when Bill Clinton was President - when the average American family saw its income go up $7,500 instead of down $2,000 like it has under George Bush. Our government should work for us, not against us. But I am convinced that in order to move forward, we must say openly the things we hold in our hearts, and that too often are said only behind closed doors.
And as I listened to him explain why he'd enlisted, the absolute faith he had in our country and its leaders, his devotion to duty and service, I thought this young man was all that any of us might hope for in a child. And as a consequence, so did I. I know there are differences on same-sex marriage, but surely we can agree that our gay and lesbian brothers and sisters deserve to visit the person they love in the hospital and to live lives free of discrimination. So I have known Islam on three continents before coming to the region where it was first revealed. America does not presume to know what is best for everyone, just as we would not presume to pick the outcome of a peaceful election.
Clearly, the past 50 years have not weakened your resolve as faithful witnesses of the gospel. So doing the Lord's work is a thread that's run through our politics since the very beginning. And it offends our conscience.
Thank you.