Intro to Dodd. Our next speaker really needs no introduction. Health care, education, strong military, homeland security resources. He has dedicated his life to public services. 1966 when he joined the pEace Corps Elected to Senate in 1980, extraordinary record of accomplishment. 15 million people have taken advantage of unpaid leave. Billions of dollars to hire trained firefighters. Corporate leaders more accountable because of his work. Democratic principles into American policies.Great victory this fall. State legislatures. Now in a city with a majority party in the House and Senate. SOTU - not Hastert sitting behind Bush, but Nancy Pelosi. War in Iraq - we're finally going to have a debate about ending the war in Iraq. On January 20, 2009, we're all going to gather on West Front of the Capitol to inauguarate a Democrat as President. If we listen to the American public, pay attention to their dreams and aspirations, if we propose bold solutions for a world we must lead, the 43rd Pres. will be a Dem. Give me a chance, a chance to be heard.
I believe America will vote for change in 2008. People are tired of Bush Admin, their enablers in Congress, and the greedy few who have enriched themselves while middle class has fallen further and further behind. Tired of BUsh-Cheney Admin that couldn't mention "Katrina" in a 6,000-word SOTU. Crumbling primary and secondary education system, health care system that today is more expensive and less available than 6 years, shameful energy and enviro policy. Tired of Admin. that has the temerity to say "full speed ahead."
It's time for change in Iraq, we insist on it. Tired of an Admin. that tries to scare Americans. Scare me once, shame on you, scare me twice,shame on me. We're not going to take fear for an answer anymore in America. Exxon loving, heckuva job, fear mongering... This is a momentof great urgency in our country. Leadership that has squanered so much of what has made our country great over the years.
Hunger for leaders that stand for equal justice and equal opportunity, work harder for working families than for the Halliburtonsand Exxon Mobils of this world. I'm a proud Democrat, without prefix, without suffix,without apology. We should try to seek bipartisanship. Can't survive as a nation divided 51/49.
First, you have to have leadership. Bipartisanship does NOT mean getting Dems to agree with Repub. principles, but the other way around. Core set of principles. Family and Medical Leave Act, Central America, etc. We can't just spend the next two years talking about what Bush has done wrong. I also intend to spend more time about what I intend to do in order to make America great again. Issues - habeus corpus, Geneva Conventions. Moral authority America earned at Nuremburg. Rule of law. Every President honored and abided by these principles. Soft power contributed to the victory in the Cold War. Soft power will contribute to our victory in the war on terror. Overturn horrible torture bill the President signed into law last fall. Gonna bring our troops out of Iraq. Human face of this war. Time for people of Iraq to take responsibility for their own future. Non-binding resolution is a meaningless message to the White House.
The American people sent us a message this past November, they want a change in the policy in Iraq. I don't believe spending a week debating a non-binding resolution is the change America voted for. A real billl with real teeth. Enough is enough. Energy policy - eliminate our depenency on oil through Strait of Hormuz. America will get stronger when middle class gets stronger.
Optimism. WE Dems won elections in the past because we knocked down barriers to opportunity. I will commit that noone who finishes high school is denied the opportunity to attend college because of financial need. Manufacturing base. Dangerous notion that manufacturing won't be part of our base. By the time my admin ends, we're going
toe bring health care to every American man, woman and child. Daddy, what sort of a life do you think I'm going tohave. That question more than any else brings me to this podium today. (5 year old daughter). We're in deep trouble in many ways. Going to be judged by our children, what did we do at outset of 21st century. I believe we can get back on track. I want to see leadership once again that challenges people to be part of something greater than themselves. Way more than 7 minutes.