COLUMBIA, S.C. -- Sen. Barack Obama just finished his victory speech following the South Carolina primary. His remarks are below.
Remarks of Senator Barack Obama
South Carolina Primary Night
Saturday, January 26th, 2008
Columbia, South Carolina
Over two weeks ago, we saw the people of Iowa proclaim that our time for change has come. But there were those who doubted this country’s desire for something new – who said Iowa was a fluke not to be repeated again.
Well, tonight, the cynics who believed that what began in the snows of Iowa was just an illusion were told a different story by the good people of South Carolina.
After four great contests in every corner of this country, we have the most votes, the most delegates, and the most diverse coalition of Americans that we’ve seen in a long, long time.
You can see it in the faces here tonight. They are young and old; rich and poor. They are black and white; Latino and Asian and Native America. They are Democrats from Des Moines and Independents from Concord; And yes, some Republicans from rural Nevada and we've got young people across this country who’ve never had a reason to participate until now. And in nine days, in nine short days, nearly half the nation will have the chance to join us in saying that we are tired of business-as-usual in Washington, we are hungry for change, and we are ready to believe again.
But if there’s anything, though, we’ve been reminded of since Iowa, it’s that the kind of change we seek will not come easy. Now, partly because we have fine candidates in the field – fierce competitors who are worthy of respect and admiration. And as contentious as this campaign may get, we have to remember that this is a contest for the Democratic nomination, and that all of us share an abiding desire to end the disastrous policies of the current administration.
But there are real differences between the candidates. We are looking for more than just a change of party in the White House. We’re looking to fundamentally change the status quo in Washington – it's a status quo that extends beyond any particular party. And right now, that status quo is fighting back with everything it’s got; with the same old tactics that divide and distract us from solving the problems people face, whether those problems are health care that folks can’t afford or a mortgage they cannot pay.
So this will not be easy. Make no mistake about what we’re up against.
We are up against the belief that it’s alright for lobbyists to dominate our government – that they are just part of the system in Washington. But we know that the undue influence of lobbyists is part of the problem, and this election is our chance to say that we are not going to let them stand in our way anymore.
We are up against the conventional thinking that says your ability to lead as President comes from longevity in Washington, or proximity to the White House. But we know that real leadership is about candor, and judgment, and the ability to rally Americans from all walks of life around a common purpose – a higher purpose.
We are up against decades of bitter partisanship that cause politicians to demonize their opponents instead of coming together to make college affordable or energy cleaner; it’s the kind of partisanship where you’re not even allowed to say that a Republican had an idea – even if it’s one you never agreed with. That's the kind of politics is bad for our party, it’s bad for our country, and this is our chance to end it once and for all.
We are up against the idea that it’s acceptable to say anything and do anything to win an election. But we know that this is exactly what’s wrong with our politics; this is why people don’t believe what their leaders say anymore; this is why they tune out. And this election is our chance to give the American people a reason to believe again.
But let me say this South Carolina…what we’ve seen in these last weeks is that we’re also up against forces that are not the fault of any one campaign, but feed the habits that prevent us from being who we want to be as a nation. It’s the politics that uses religion as a wedge, and patriotism as a bludgeon. A politics that tells us that we have to think, act, and even vote within the confines of the categories that supposedly define us. The assumption that young people are apathetic. The assumption that Republicans won’t cross over. The assumption that the wealthy care nothing for the poor, and that the poor don’t vote. The assumption that African-Americans can’t support the white candidate; whites can’t support the African-American candidate; blacks and Latinos cannot come together.
We are here tonight to say that that is not the America we believe in. I did not travel around this state over the last year and see a white South Carolina or a black South Carolina. I saw South Carolina. I saw crumbling schools that are stealing the future of black children and white children. I saw shuttered mills and homes for sale that once belonged to Americans from all walks of life, and men and women of every color and creed who serve together, and fight together, and bleed together under the same proud flag. I saw what America is, and I believe in what this country can be.
That is the country I see. That is the country you see. But now it is up to us to help the entire nation embrace this vision. Because in the end, we are not just up against the ingrained and destructive habits of Washington, we are also struggling against our own doubts, our own fears, our own cynicism. The change we seek has always required great struggle and great sacrifice. And so this is a battle in our own hearts and minds about what kind of country we want and how hard we’re willing to work for it.
So let me remind you tonight that change will not be easy. Change will take time. There will be setbacks, and false starts, and sometimes we'll make mistakes. But as hard as it may seem, we cannot lose hope. Because there are people all across this great nation who are counting us; who can’t afford another four years without health care; they can't afford another four years without good schools or decent wages because our leaders couldn’t come together and get it done.
Theirs are the stories and voices we carry on from South Carolina.
The mother who can’t get Medicaid to cover all the needs of her sick child – she needs us to pass a health care plan that cuts costs and makes health care available and affordable for every single American. That's what she's looking for.
The teacher who works another shift at Dunkin Donuts after school just to make ends meet – she needs us to reform our education system so that she gets better pay, and more support, and her students get the resources that they need to achieve their dreams.
The Maytag worker who is now competing with his own teenager for a $7-an-hour job at Wal-Mart because the factory he gave his life to shut its doors – he needs us to stop giving tax breaks to companies that ship our jobs overseas and start putting them in the pockets of working Americans who deserve it. And put in the pockets of struggling homeowners…And seniors who should retire with dignity and respect.
The woman who told me that she hasn’t been able to breathe since the day her nephew left for Iraq, or the soldier who doesn’t know his child because he’s on his third or fourth, or even fifth tour of duty – they need us to come together and put an end to a war that should’ve never been authorized and never been waged.
So understand this South Carolina: The choice in this election is not between regions or religions or genders. It’s not about rich versus poor; young versus old; and it is not about black versus white.
This election is about the past versus the future.
It’s about whether we settle for the same divisions and distractions and drama that passes for politics today, or whether we reach for a politics of common sense, and innovation ….
There are those who will continue to tell us we cannot do this. That we cannot have what we long for. That we are peddling false hopes.
But here’s what I know. I know that when people say we can’t overcome all the big money and influence in Washington, I think of that elderly woman who sent me a contribution the other day – an envelope that had a money order for $3.01 along with a verse of scripture tucked inside the envelop. So don’t tell us change isn’t possible. That woman knows change is possible.
When I hear the cynical talk that blacks and whites and Latinos can’t join together and work together, I’m reminded of the Latino brothers and sisters I organized with, and stood with, and fought with side by side for jobs and justice on the streets of Chicago. So don’t tell us change can’t happen.
When I hear that we’ll never overcome the racial divide in our politics, I think about that Republican woman who used to work for Strom Thurmond, who’s now devoted to educating inner-city children and who went out onto the streets of South Carolina and knocked on doors for this campaign. Don’t tell me we can’t change.
Yes we can change.
Yes we can heal this nation.
Yes we can seize our future.
And as we leave this state with a new wind at our backs, and take this journey across the country we love with the message we’ve carried from the plains of Iowa to the hills of New Hampshire; from the Nevada desert to the South Carolina coast; the same message we had when we were up and when we were down – that out of many, we are one; that while we breathe, we hope; and where we are met with cynicism, and doubt, and fear, and those who tell us that we can’t, we will respond with that timeless creed that sums up the spirit of the American people in three simple words:
Yes. We. Can.
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Comments
Bill Clinton has driven a wedge into the
membership of the Democratic party with his racially-toned anti-Obama comments and both his and Hillary's outright lies and distortions. If, somehow, the Clintons
flim-flam their way into the nomination, they will cause a party split that the Republicans will run through with a Mack Truck in November. What a disgraceful couple. The only way to victory is Obama.
Posted by: Jonathan | January 26, 2008 9:48 PM
Barack is amazing!!! As someone who voted Republican the last three elections (I regret that), Obama is just a positive force that will unite this country... It's time for the Clinton's to go away!!!
Posted by: Bob | January 26, 2008 9:54 PM
Yes we can and did! This momentum is the REAL HOPE for improving our lives and image and the rest of the world is cheering with us!
Posted by: mj | January 26, 2008 10:20 PM
Barack got 90% of the black vote and only 15% of the white vote.
The dems are a party of racists....like they always were.
Paulo
Posted by: Paulo | January 27, 2008 12:48 AM
In a few hours, Caroline Kennedy will be in the NY Times Magazine, endorsing Barack Obama with these words:
"A President Like My Father: ... I have never had a president who inspired me the way people tell me that my father inspired them. But for the first time, I believe I have found the man who could be that president — not just for me, but for a new generation of Americans."
If you know how JFK's accent and pace when he spoke, try re-reading the Barack Obama speech above. I think you'll find it even more moving.
Caroline Kennedy's powerful endorsement is historic, and it is the high watermark in Presidential politics in my lifetime.
Posted by: Ronald P. Loui | January 27, 2008 1:31 AM
Unless our votes are going to be counted, this is all pointless. But thank the gods Barack is giving us an alternative to Hillary. I can't wait to see the Neo-cons when Ron Paul wins the Repub nomination. OOOOOPPss. The RNC will have a heart attack. What do you guys do then? You're actually going to back McCain after you've cut his nuts off? You guys are pathetic, hysterical, and embarrassing. Just go away. Now that Bush is open about being King Abdullah's BITCH you guys really have nothing else to do. The Neo-Cons write their own constitution in the Patriot Act and laugh themselves into oblivion. Little Dickie and Georgie sleeze out the back door with the last tax dollar they can stuff in their pockets and you Repub assholes get misty eyed about that jerk Zombie Raygun. God help you morons. I hope Ron Paul takes over your worthless, disgusting party and eliminates it, since you're clearly unnecessary.
Posted by: Mrs. Jesus | January 27, 2008 1:33 AM
Jonathan it was Baracks Race card not Bills not Hillary's but his and his darling media that you so gullibility react to. It wasn't two minutes after the race was called in New Hampshire we heard The Bradley effect! Saying the good people in New Hampshire were racist because he didn't win! Then Bill says his war vote was a fairy tale and he called that racist next Hillary said MLK needed LBJ to make his dream a reality. Yes sir that was racist too true MLK needed LBJ but racist just the same according to Barack. Finally the Divider Obama called his early drug use a racist remark. PLEASE when has drug use been a black only problem.
Posted by: Rick B | January 27, 2008 1:48 AM
Yes. We. Can. Barack Obama is the breath of fresh air that America needs in the oval office.
Posted by: drew | January 27, 2008 1:53 AM
I would like to congradulate Senator Obama on his win. Now I would like to speak to some of his supporters. Guess what you will need me and the rest of Clintons supporters to win in november I am absolutely sick and tired of you people threatening to vote republican if Hillary is the nominee. Her and Obama agree on almost all of the issues, but yet you all seem to have this deep seeded hatred for her well that is quit unbecoming. The more I hear from Senator Obama the less pleased I am with him. He reminds me of the popular jock in highschool who gets whatever he wants and it is absoultely disgusting. I am also upset with his absolute disrespect he shows bill clinton. Bill had this country in one of the best places it had been in a long time. I support Hillary because she is the most experienced with 8 years as the first lady 7 years in the senate. She is extremely intelligent and knowlegable of how Washington works. This will greatly benifetial in trying to bring about change. And the press just gives Obama a pass and constantly attacks hillary. They might as well be a wing of the Obama campaign. What we saw here tonight was Senator Obama win and he did so with his ability to campaing and he recived a huge amount of help from the Press who has been trying to bring down the clintons from the start. So to reference Senator Edwards when the agents of change speak out the agents of status quoe And everytime the clintons speak out the Press attempts to bring them down. The clintons are the ones who care for the people obama is an elites. However with that being said I do congradulate Senator Obama on his Overwhelming win tonight and it trully was a blow out. The press won this round.
Posted by: Joshua Bradsahw | January 27, 2008 2:31 AM
Great victory tonight, made better because it came on the heels of a disturbing week where we saw the Clinton campaign try to use race as a divisive tool--something we've grown accustomed to certain Republicans doing. Too bad that the Clintons stooped to this disgusting tactic. I was voting Obama all the way anyhow, but this week only made more obvious to me why we need inspiring new leadership and new ideas that bring people together with hope and commitment to positive action.
It would be amazing to see Barack in the White House, bringing dignity and grace back to our leadership--something we've not seen in a long time. What's especially remarkable is that it was not so long ago that we saw the horrible spectacle of police dogs and fire hoses turned on Black Americans in the streets of our cities. How wonderful if our country could really get moving beyond the scars of racism, to move in a new direction that creates unity and values social justice for us all. A dream? Perhaps, but it's up to us to bring that dream to life. A good start is electing inspired leaders like Barack!
Posted by: Bertie | January 27, 2008 3:17 AM
Everyone read this; it is short, and it's very important:
http://cslang.blogspot.com/2008/01/what-hillary-needs-to-do-to-win-feb-5.html
Posted by: Charles Lang | January 27, 2008 3:58 AM
Dear Friends,
I have to celebrate this moment:
Barack wins the South Carolina Democratic Primary!
It feels great to see a Winner Win!!!
http://billslater.com/OBAMA_on_Wired_Cover_2008_12.jpg
http://billslater.com/OBAMA_on_Wired_Cover_2009_0120_01.jpg
http://billslater.com/OBAMA_on_Wired_Cover_2009_02_.jpg
http://billslater.com/WFS_Wired_Cover_Image_02.jpg
God Bless Barack Obama, his Family, and his Team!
My prayers are being answered!!!
Regards,
William Favre Slater, III
http://billslater.com/who_is_barack_obama.htm
Chicago, IL
United States of America
Posted by: William F. Slater, III | January 27, 2008 5:12 AM
Barack is freakin awesome. His skills are awesome. Although, I felt some skepticism about details in this victory speech, he is still awesome. Go Barack, Go! I enjoyed the speech and had chill bumps while reading certain parts. He has an opportunity to mentor and inspire others like him to come forward and that would be awesome. I ultimately hope the Barack in all us will be inspired to come forward as these elections take place b/c that would be AWESOME.
Posted by: I Believe | January 27, 2008 6:50 AM
This man is the real deal - and he's ours (ours in Illinois and truly all of ours nationwide). To be brought to tears by a political speech is nothing short of amazing. Let's not let this momentum go!
Posted by: Tonja | January 27, 2008 7:28 AM
Note to Hillary: Words, rhetoric, poetic theatre, call it what you will, DO MATTER.
From FDR to JFK to Ronald Reagan, time and time again the nation has responded to the call of our presidents.
Mark my words, if she is elected Hillary's screech will wear us out. Obama's cadence, on the other hand, promise to inspire us.
Posted by: Bud McFarlin | January 27, 2008 8:18 AM
!GOBAMA!
Posted by: Doug Zook | January 27, 2008 9:22 AM
I'm sorry, but unless Obama pulls some states in the Midwest or in the far Western portions of the country on Super Tuesday, he has no shot at winning the nomination, and even less a shot at winning the general election. How can everybody be so happy with Obama winning South Carolina, a historically Republican state that will almost certainly go to the Republican nominee in the General election. I'm sorry, but if Obama wins the democratic nominee by mainly winning states in the Republican base (Down south), I cannot feel confident in his chances of beating John McCain in November.
Posted by: Anthony | January 27, 2008 9:38 AM
Anthony....with the turnout that the democrats are seeing...I wouldn't bet the farm.
Posted by: bill r. | January 27, 2008 9:56 AM
Obama, in his speech: "We have the most delegates..."
Reality: the CNN running total (including SC) has Clinton 230 delegates, Obama 152.
http://www.cnn.com/ELECTION/2008/primaries/results/scorecard/
Another day, another Obama fib.
Posted by: Amused | January 27, 2008 10:50 AM
Barack got 90% of the black vote and only 15% of the white vote.
The dems are a party of racists....like they always were.
Paulo
Posted by: Paulo | January 27, 2008 12:48 AM
And the republicans get 100% white voters and vote 100% of the time for ONLY white candidates. Who's party is racist?
And final results show Obama got 24% of the white vote, that's actaully a very strong amount. Considering the way SC usually votes.
Republicans would play the race card, too. If they actually ever cared about anything but their own race.
Posted by: syj | January 27, 2008 10:57 AM
Will the tactics of racial diviseness carry Obama very far beyond South Carolina? I doubt it.
Posted by: MJ | January 27, 2008 1:31 PM
Didnt Jessie Jackson win in SC as well? Obama reace baiting will come back to bite him in the other states. I think his win in SC will cost him the rest of the states that do not have a majority black voters. Playing the race card will work with black voters but it absolutely has turned off a lot of other voters.
Posted by: Vinny | January 27, 2008 2:55 PM
Obama did not fib. I'm pretty sure that when he said that he has the most votes and most delegates, he is referring to elected delegates. The number of superdelegates attributed to each candidate is not automatic until they actually vote for the candidates at the democratic convention. Get your facts straight.
Posted by: No fib | January 27, 2008 3:03 PM
Paulo, it's more like 24%, not 19%. Where did you get that figure? From your Clintonomics calculator (I'd like to try a few calculations on such a device!).
I've just seen that 19% figure in the NY Times blogs, too. It was based on taking .55- (.46 x .8) and misinterpreting the miscalculated .19 based on the wrong base rate of .46. Surely you did not do this to come up with your figure, did you?
And before you start, .24 is close enough to a .33 fair split, and it is exactly what HRC and BHO both got from white men.
But I am done talking race numbers, so please cite something more interesting, like the fact that Obama got two-thirds of young people, more than half of the women, and only lost 2:1 among old women who don't read newspapers. You cast yourself with this lot.
Posted by: Ronald Loui | January 27, 2008 4:45 PM