The most presidential lorem ipsum in history.
John Kerry believes in energy independence, so we aren't held hostage to the profits of oil companies, or the sabotage of foreign oil fields. As such, Reverend Wright's comments were not only wrong but divisive, divisive at a time when we need unity; racially charged at a time when we need to come together to solve a set of monumental problems - two wars, a terrorist threat, a falling economy, a chronic health care crisis and potentially devastating climate change; problems that are neither black or white or Latino or Asian, but rather problems that confront us all. Understanding this reality requires a reminder of how we arrived at this point. For centuries, black people in America suffered the lash of the whip as slaves and the humiliation of segregation. In the middle of the Cold War, the United States played a role in the overthrow of a democratically-elected Iranian government. For instance, in the United States, rules on charitable giving have made it harder for Muslims to fulfill their religious obligation.
And God is still speaking. I would not be running for President if I didn't believe with all my heart that this is what the vast majority of Americans want for this country.
Not even close. We meet at a time of tension between the United States and Muslims around the world - tension rooted in historical forces that go beyond any current policy debate. Rather than remain trapped in the past, I have made it clear to Iran's leaders and people that my country is prepared to move forward.
It is not up in heaven. Politicians routinely exploited fears of crime for their own electoral ends. And Ashley said that when she was nine years old, her mother got cancer. We measure the strength of our economy not by the number of billionaires we have or the profits of the Fortune 500, but by whether someone with a good idea 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 without losing her job - an economy that honors the dignity of work. Words alone cannot meet the needs of our people. There will be many issues to discuss between our two countries, and we are willing to move forward without preconditions on the basis of mutual respect.
America! Tonight, if you feel the same energy that I do, if you feel the same urgency that I do, if you feel the same passion I do, if you feel the same hopefulness that I do - if we do what we must do, then I have no doubts that all across the country, from Florida to Oregon, from Washington to Maine, the people will rise up in November, and John Kerry will be sworn in as president, and John Edwards will be sworn in as vice president, and this country will reclaim its promise, and out of this long political darkness a brighter day will come. And right here in the UCC, we're hearing from God about what it means to be a welcoming church that holds on to our Christian witness. The richness of religious diversity must be upheld - whether it is for Maronites in Lebanon or the Copts in Egypt. That is why we welcome efforts like Saudi Arabian King Abdullah's Interfaith dialogue and Turkey's leadership in the Alliance of Civilizations.
Thank you. And may God's peace be upon you.