Obama Ipsum

Now even as we speak, there are those who are preparing to divide us, the spin masters, the negative ad peddlers who embrace the politics of anything goes. Clearly, the past 50 years have not weakened your resolve as faithful witnesses of the gospel. And I found that I recognized in these folks a part of myself. I am the son of a black man from Kenya and a white woman from Kansas. It is agonizing for America to lose our young men and women. Indeed, faith should bring us together.

And I've seen it in this campaign. That is why we welcome efforts like Saudi Arabian King Abdullah's Interfaith dialogue and Turkey's leadership in the Alliance of Civilizations.

If John McCain wants to have a debate about who has the temperament, and judgment, to serve as the next Commander-in-Chief, that's a debate I'm ready to have. The United States does not accept the legitimacy of continued Israeli settlements. The sixth issue that I want to address is women's rights.

At times, that anger is exploited by politicians, to gin up votes along racial lines, or to make up for a politician's own failings. We also know that military power alone is not going to solve the problems in Afghanistan and Pakistan.

And I think they recognized a part of themselves in me too. Talk show hosts and conservative commentators built entire careers unmasking bogus claims of racism while dismissing legitimate discussions of racial injustice and inequality as mere political correctness or reverse racism. It is agonizing for America to lose our young men and women. We would gladly bring every single one of our troops home if we could be confident that there were not violent extremists in Afghanistan and Pakistan determined to kill as many Americans as they possibly can. I understand those who protest that some countries have weapons that others do not.

Thank you, God Bless you, and God Bless the United States of America.