Excerpts of Clinton's speech Tuesday
Excerpts of Hillary Rodham Clinton's speech Tuesday after Democratic primaries in North Carolina and Indiana, as provided by CQ Transcriptions:
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Not too long ago, my opponent made a prediction. He said I would probably win Pennsylvania, he would win North Carolina, and Indiana would be the tiebreaker.
Well, tonight we've come from behind, we've broken the tie, and, thanks to you, it's full speed onto the White House.
This has been an extraordinary experience, traveling across Indiana, having an opportunity to meet so many of you.
And for everyone who holds your breath at the gas pump, afraid to see how much it cost today, and for everyone working day and night because you want the world for your kids, for every young person with big dreams, who deserves a world of opportunity, and for all those who aren't in the headlines, but have always written America's story, tonight is your victory right here in Indiana.
I want to commend — I want to commend Senator Obama and his supporters on their win in North Carolina.
You know, we are, in many ways, on the same journey. It's a journey begun long before we were born. It is a journey by men and women who have been on a mission to perfect our union, who marched and protested, who risked everything they had to build an America that embraces us all.
And tonight, once again, I need your help to continue our journey.
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Tonight, Hoosiers have said that you do want a president who stands strong for you, a president who is ready on Day One to take charge as commander in chief and keep our families safe, a president who knows how to make this economy work for hardworking, middle-class families.
And there are lots of ideas about how best to do that, because we need all of the good common sense that Americans have to offer.
And I know that we've got an important debate going on right now about how we're going to help families deal with these gas prices. They have gone up so fast, so out of sight in the minds of the people that I talk with, and I think it's time that we really had a concerted strategy.
You've heard me say this, and I'll say it again: I think it's time to give Americans a break this summer and to make the oil companies pay the gas tax out of their record profits.
I say it's time to cover every single American with health insurance.
And I say it's time to freeze foreclosures for families most at risk of losing their homes, including our soldiers, who are in harm's way and are being foreclosed on here in America.
Fundamentally, I believe that Americans need a champion in their corner, that for too long we've had a president who has stood up and spoke out for the wealthy and the well-connected.
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I know that people — people are watching this race, and they're wondering, I win, he wins, I win, he wins. It's so close. And I think that says a lot about how excited and passionate our supporters are and how intent so many Americans are to really taking their country back.
But I can assure you, as I have said on many occasions, that, no matter what happens, I will work for the nominee of the Democratic Party, because we must win in November.
And I know — I know that Senator Obama feels the same way, because we have been on this campaign trail now for a long time.
And we know how desperately people want to see a change, and it will not be a change if the Republicans keep the White House. It will be more of the same, something that no one, no matter what political party you may be, can afford.
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You know, people ask us all the time, Well, how do you keep going? We love getting out and meeting people. We love having a chance to be with all of you. And didn't Chelsea do a great job?
And I know a lot of people enjoyed seeing my husband again out on the campaign trail.
So now it is on to West Virginia, Kentucky, Oregon, and the other states where people are eager to have their voices heard. For too long, we've let places like West Virginia and Kentucky slip out of the Democratic column. Well, it's time for that to change.
And these next primaries are another test. I'm going to work my heart out in West Virginia and Kentucky this month, and I intend to win them in November in the general election.
You know, I want the people in these upcoming states to know we're going to work hard to reach out to all of you, because we want you to know that the Democratic Party is your party and a Democratic president will be good for you.
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We've got a long road ahead, but we're going to keep fighting on that path for America, because America is worth fighting for. And we believe in America's potential and possibility that has so ignited hope and the dreams of people throughout our country and around the world.
You know, people who left everything behind in order to come here and be part of this great experiment in democracy, dissidents and dreamers on every continent who look to us and our ideals for their hope and inspiration, all those around the world who wept for us and prayed for us on September 11, who laid wreaths and flew flags at half-mast, and printed that unforgettable headline, "We are all Americans," that is the reach of America's embrace, through time and place and history.
And I know we can, once again, open our arms to the world. We can, once again, be the can-do nation, a nation that defies the odds and greets the future with optimism and hope.
There isn't anything America can't do once we make up our minds to start acting like Americans again. And that is exactly what we intend to do.
Thank you. And God bless you. And God bless America.
