Victory Speech 2008
同志社中学校

１年

長谷部

依央

where all things are possible; who still wonders if the dream of our founders
is alive in our time; who still questions the power of our democracy, tonightis your answer.
It’s the answer told by lines that stretched around schools and churches
in numbers this nation has never seen; by people who waited three hours andfour hours, many for the very first time in their lives, because they believedthat this time must be different; that their voices could be that difference.
It’s the answer spoken by young and old, rich and poor, Democrat andRepublican, black, white, Hispanic, Asian, Native American, gay, straight,
disabled and not disabled - Americans who sent a message to the world that
we have never been just a collection of individuals or a collection of Red
States and Blue States: we are, and always will be, the United States ofAmerica.
It’s the answer that led those who have been told for so long by so many
to be cynical, and fearful, and doubtful of what we can achieve to put theirhands on the arc of history and bend it once more toward the hope of abetter day.
It’s been a long time coming, but tonight, because of what we did on thisday, in this election, at this defining moment, change has come to America.
Even as we celebrate tonight, we know the challenges that tomorrow willbring are the greatest of our lifetime - two wars, a planet in peril, the worst
financial crisis in a century.
And as we stand here tonight, we know there are brave Americans waking
up in the deserts of Iraq and the mountains of Afghanistan to risk their livesfor us.
There is new energy to harness and new jobs to be created; new schools
to build and threats to meet and alliances to repair.

21中学生―Ｉ部門

If there is anyone out there who still doubts that America is a place

The road ahead will be long. Our climb will be steep. We may not get
there in one year or even in one term, but America - I have never been more
hopeful than I am tonight that we will get there. I promise you - we as apeople will get there.
中学生―Ｉ部門

As Lincoln said to a nation far more divided than ours: “We are notenemies, but friends... though passion may have strained it must not breakour bonds of affection.”
And to those Americans whose support I have yet to earn - I may nothave won your vote tonight, but I hear your voices, I need your help, and I
will be your president too.
America, we have come so far. We have seen so much. But there is somuch more to do. So tonight, let us ask ourselves - if our children should live
to see the next century; if my daughters should be so lucky to live as long asAnn Nixon Cooper, what change will they see? What progress will we have
made?
This is our chance to answer that call. This is our moment.
This is our time - to put our people back to work and open doors ofopportunity for our kids; to restore prosperity and promote the cause of peace;
to reclaim the American dream and reaffirm that fundamental truth - that outof many, we are one; that while we breathe, we hope, and where we are met
with cynicism and doubt, and those who tell us that we can’t, we will respondwith that timeless creed that sums up the spirit of a people: yes, we can.
Thank you, God bless you, and may God bless the United States ofAmerica.

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