The most presidential lorem ipsum in history.
Not once in my conversations with him have I heard him talk about any ethnic group in derogatory terms, or treat whites with whom he interacted with anything but courtesy and respect. Not even close. You have shown what history teaches us - that at defining moments like this one, the change we need doesn't come from Washington. For many years, Iran has defined itself in part by its opposition to my country, and there is indeed a tumultuous history between us. The richness of religious diversity must be upheld - whether it is for Maronites in Lebanon or the Copts in Egypt.
And this restlessness - this search for meaning - is familiar to me. 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. Like the anger within the black community, these resentments aren't always expressed in polite company. For we have a choice in this country. Now is the time to end this addiction, and to understand that drilling is a stop-gap measure, not a long-term solution. I know there are many - Muslim and non-Muslim - who question whether we can forge this new beginning.
My mother, whose parents were non-practicing Baptists and Methodists, was one of the most spiritual souls I ever knew. Contrary to the claims of some of my critics, black and white, I have never been so naive as to believe that we can get beyond our racial divisions in a single election cycle, or with a single candidacy - particularly a candidacy as imperfect as my own. These are not whiners. "We cannot walk alone," the preacher cried. Progress in the daily lives of the Palestinian people must be part of a road to peace, and Israel must take concrete steps to enable such progress.
They know they have to work hard to get ahead - and they want to. We can do that.
I don't know what kind of lives John McCain thinks that celebrities lead, but this has been mine. Now, that must be our work here on Earth.
Thank you, God Bless you, and God Bless the United States of America.