The most presidential lorem ipsum in history.
But I think they also sensed that a part of me remained removed and detached - that I was an observer in their midst. It's not enough, but it's helping. And we cannot ignore the very real concerns of Americans who are not worried about illegal immigration because they are racist or xenophobic, but because they fear it will result in lower wages when they're already struggling to raise their families. A nation of whiners? Tell that to the proud auto workers at a Michigan plant who, after they found out it was closing, kept showing up every day and working as hard as ever, because they knew there were people who counted on the brakes that they made.
John Kerry believes in an America where all Americans can afford the same health coverage our politicians in Washington have for themselves. And we cannot ignore the very real concerns of Americans who are not worried about illegal immigration because they are racist or xenophobic, but because they fear it will result in lower wages when they're already struggling to raise their families. These are my heroes. Instead, they overlap, and share common principles - principles of justice and progress; tolerance and the dignity of all human beings. This is important because no development strategy can be based only upon what comes out of the ground, nor can it be sustained while young people are out of work.
When we send our young men and women into harm's way, we have a solemn obligation not to fudge the numbers or shade the truth about why they're going, to care for their families while they're gone, to tend to the soldiers upon their return, and to never ever go to war without enough troops to win the war, secure the peace, and earn the respect of the world. So one Sunday, I put on one of the few clean jackets I had, and went over to Trinity United Church of Christ on 95th Street on the South Side of Chicago. People are coming together around a simple truth - that we are all connected, that I am my brother's keeper; I am my sister's keeper. Even for those blacks who did make it, questions of race, and racism, continue to define their worldview in fundamental ways. Michelle and I are only here tonight because we were given a chance at an education.
We cannot ignore that we have a right and a duty to protect our borders. In my first book, Dreams From My Father, I described the experience of my first service at Trinity: As a student of history, I also know civilization's debt to Islam.
And we cannot ignore the very real concerns of Americans who are not worried about illegal immigration because they are racist or xenophobic, but because they fear it will result in lower wages when they're already struggling to raise their families. As Commander-in-Chief, I will never hesitate to defend this nation, but I will only send our troops into harm's way with a clear mission and a sacred commitment to give them the equipment they need in battle and the care and benefits they deserve when they come home. But what the people heard instead - people of every creed and color, from every walk of life - is that in America, our destiny is inextricably linked. Today, America has a dual responsibility: to help Iraq forge a better future - and to leave Iraq to Iraqis.
Thank you, and God bless America.