HILLARY CLINTON: Thank you very much.
You know, tonight we are hearing the voices of people across America, people of all ages, of all colors, all faiths and all walks of life. People on the day shift, the night shift, the late shift with the crying baby. Moms and dads who want a better world for our children, young people who deserve a world of opportunity. All those who aren't in the headlines but have always written America's story.
After -- after seven years of a president who listens only to the special interests, you're ready for a president who brings your voice, your values and your dreams to your White House. And tonight in record numbers, you voted not just to make history, but to remake America. People in American Samoa, Arkansas, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Oklahoma, Tennessee and the great state of New York.
And, you know, on just -- on just one really serious note, we want to keep the people of Arkansas and Tennessee in our prayers. They suffered horrible tornadoes tonight. We just talked to some of our folks there, and people have died in both states. And our thoughts and prayers go out to them in this moment of their need.
You know, tonight, though, is your night. Tonight is America's night. And it's not -- it's not over yet, because the polls are still open in California for a few more minutes.
I hope that all of you will join our campaign at www.HillaryClinton.com, because you know -- you know that politics isn't a game. It's not about who's up or who's down. It's about your lives, your families, your futures.
It's about the people who have shared their problems with me, looking for solutions. The mother whose insurance company won't pay for her child's treatment, the couple so determined to send their daughter to college they're willing to mortgage their home with a subprime second mortgage. The man who asked me what he was supposed to do after training the person who will take his job in another country. The veterans who have come home, only to find they don't have the health care, the competition and the services they need.
It's also about the people who want to seize America's opportunities. It's about the unions and businesses who are training people for green collar jobs. It's about the auto companies and the auto workers who want higher gas mileage cars so we can compete with the rest of the world. It's about -- it's about our scientists and researchers who want to be able to do stem cell research right here in the United States of America. It's about our contractors and our construction workers, who want to get to work to rebuild America, from the bridges in Minnesota to the levees in New Orleans.
Now for seven years we have seen President Bush's answer. They don't know what's at stake in this election, but we do. We know what we need is someone ready on day one to solve our problems and seize those opportunities. Because when the bright lights are off and the cameras are gone, who can you count on to listen to you, to stand up for you, to deliver solutions for you?
Well, the Republicans want eight more years of the same. They see -- they see tax cuts for the wealthy, and they say why not more? They see $9 trillion in debt, say why not trillions more? They see five years in Iraq and say why not a hundred more?
Well, they've got until January 20, 2009, and not one day more.
Now, we know the Republicans won't give up the White House without a fight. Well, let me be clear. I won't let anyone swift boat this country's future.
Together, we're going to take back America, because I see an America where our economy works for everyone, not just those at the top, where prosperity is shared, and we create good jobs that stay right here in America. I see an America where we stand up to the oil companies and the oil-producing countries, where we launch a clean energy revolution and finally confront the climate crisis.
I also want to congratulate Senator Obama for his victories tonight, and I look forward to continuing our campaign and our debates about how to leave this country better off for the next generation, because that is the work of my life. That is why I started my career fighting for abused and neglected children, children who had drawn the short straw in life because this nation gave me every opportunity, and we can do the same for every child.
We must continue to be a nation that strives always to give each of our children a better future. A nation of optimists who believe our best days are yet to come, a nation of idealists holding fast to our deepest values, that we are all created equal, that we all deserve to fulfill our god-given potential, that we are destined for progress together.
It's the ideal inscribed on the base of the Statue of Liberty in this great city that has overlooked our harbor through wars and depression and the dark days of September 11th. The words we all know that give voice to America's embrace, "Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free;" a constant reminder that here in America we face our challenges and we embrace all of our people.
So today we say with one voice, "Give us the child who wants to learn, give us the people in need of work, give us the veterans who need our care." We say give us this economy to rebuild and this war to end. Give us this nation to heal, this world to lead, this moment to seize.
I know we're ready.
Thank you all and God bless you.
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