Obama Ipsum

They would give me an African name, Barack, or "blessed," believing that in a tolerant America your name is no barrier to success. 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. More of you have cars you can't afford to drive, credit card bills you can't afford to pay, and tuition that's beyond your reach.

And that man is John Kerry. And the lack of basic services in so many urban black neighborhoods - parks for kids to play in, police walking the beat, regular garbage pick-up and building code enforcement - all helped create a cycle of violence, blight and neglect that continue to haunt us. Because that was the cheapest way to eat. The Arab-Israeli conflict should no longer be used to distract the people of Arab nations from other problems.

But they have helped shape the political landscape for at least a generation. Theirs are the stories that shaped me. America, we cannot turn back. This is the hope of all humanity.

We will all have to make concessions to achieve this. 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. Words alone cannot meet the needs of our people.

I am married to a black American who carries within her the blood of slaves and slaveowners - an inheritance we pass on to our two precious daughters. And you know what - it's worked before.

Thank you.