INDEPTH: US ELECTION 2004
Transcript: Hillary Clinton
CBC News Online | July 26, 2004
Clinton waves during her address to the delegates during the Democratic National Convention. (AP Photo/Ed Reinke)
|
|
The following is the transcript of a speech by the Honorable Hillary Clinton, United States Senate, New York,
at the Democratic National Convention, Monday, July 26, 2004:
Twelve years ago, when our country needed new leadership, Americans
elected a Democrat who gave us eight years of peace, prosperity, and promise.
Tonight I have the pleasure of introducing the last great Democratic
President.
But first I want to say a few words about the next great Democratic
president, John Kerry.
We meet at a moment of great peril, but also of great hope. Together we
can widen the circle of opportunity for all Americans, transcend our
differences and divisions, and give our children a safer and more secure
future. That's the promise of America. And John Kerry will renew that
promise.
He will lead the world, not alienate it. Lower the deficit, not raise it.
Create good jobs, not lose them. Solve a health care crisis, not ignore it.
I know a thing or two about health care. And the problems have only gotten
worse in the past four years.
We need to rededicate ourselves to the task of providing coverage for the
44 million Americans who are uninsured and the millions of others who face
rising costs. We need to lift the ban on stem cell research, and find cures
that will help millions of Americans.
Health care is a serious issue that requires serious solutions and that's
what John Kerry will give us. John Kerry will give America something else, a
great vice president. I've served with John Edwards. He's smart, he's
energetic, he's empathetic. And he understands the challenges that hard-
working Americans face in their daily lives.
Americans will be proud to have the Kerry-Edwards team in the White House,
and they'll be proud to have their extraordinary partners, Teresa Heinz Kerry
and Elizabeth Edwards, there as well.
We've been through our share of challenges as Americans, from a Civil War
to a Great Depression to World Wars and more. Today we face a new threat.
Being a Senator from New York, I saw first-hand the devastation of 9/11.
I visited Ground Zero right after we were attacked. I felt like I was
standing at the Gates of Hell. I hope no American ever has to witness a sight
like that again. That tragedy changed all of us. I know it changed me. And
every day now, as a mother, as a Senator, and as an American I worry about
whether we are acting as wisely as we can to protect our country and our
people.
Last week, the bipartisan 9/11 commission issued its report. It was a
sober call to action that we ignore at our peril. John Kerry understands
what's at stake. We need to fully equip and train our firefighters, police
officers and emergency medical technicians -- our first responders in the
event of a terrorist attack.
We need to secure our borders and our ports, as well as our chemical and
nuclear plants. We need to reorganize our federal government to meet the new
threats of these times. We need to make sure that homeland security is
properly funded and that resources go to the areas at greatest risk.
We need to take care of our men and women in uniform who risked their
lives for our country. These brave Americans deserve better. We need to
increase our troop strength, raise their pay, and provide veterans, the
National Guard, and Reserve with the benefits they're entitled to.
Do you know what we need to meet these challenges? We need John Kerry.
John Kerry is a serious man, for a serious job. So let's work our hearts out
and send him to the White House in 2004. And I'm optimistic we will because I
know a great leader when I see one. And so does America.
In 1992 and 1996, Americans chose a President who left our country in far
better shape than when he took office. He still spends his days working to
empower the powerless, promote racial, religious, and ethnic reconciliation,
inspire young people to citizen service, and bring life saving medicines to
people living with HIV/AIDS around the world.
He showed Democrats how to win again. And so will John Kerry. Please
welcome the 42nd President of the United States, Bill Clinton.
^TOP
|
|
 |
 MENU |
|
|
| RELATED: |
|
|
| QUICK FACTS: |
Voting age population (VAP) in 2000:
205,815,000
Eligible voters (VEP) in 2000:
193,199,543
Voter turnout (% of VEP) in 2000:
54.5%
Numbers of seats up for election (2004):
House: 435 (all of them)
Senate: 34 (of 100)
|
|
| EXTERNAL LINKS: |
|
|
| MORE: |
|
|
|
CBC does not endorse and is not responsible for the content of external sites. Links will open in new window.
