Hillary Clinton’s Concession Speech at The Columbus Athenaeum
March 4, 2008
Thank you. Thank you so much. I come tonight with a very, very full heart. And I want especially to thank Ohio. Over the last few weeks, I listened to you as well as the rest of America. I heard your call, and I answered. I felt like we all spoke from our hearts, and I am so gratified that you responded.
For all the ups and downs of this campaign, you helped remind everyone that politics isn't a game. This campaign is about people. It's about making a difference in your lives. It’s about making sure that everyone in this country has the opportunity to live up to his or her God-given potential. That has been the work of my life.
Once again I thank you all for being here tonight; I am especially pleased to be back here in Columbus and especially to be with two of your native sons: Senator John Glenn who is so well known and honored across our country and the world, and your dynamic, effective governor Ted Strickland.
This is a great opportunity for us to talk about not just the problems which people know pretty well for themselves, but what kind of solutions we can put together that will improve the economy, produce more jobs, enable us to keep the jobs that are here, increase the prosperity, make sure young people can stay home near their families in order to make a living, build a strong and prosperous middle class again. So I’m very excited about being here with distinguished guests, people of all ages and of all colors, all faiths and all walks of life. People on the day shift, the night shift, the late shift with the crying baby. Moms and dads who want a better world for our children. Young people who deserve a world of opportunity. All those who aren't in the headlines, but have always written America's story. I thank you all.
Tonight, in record numbers, you voted not just to make history - but to remake America. I want to thank the people of Rhode Island for their overwhelming support which insured our victory and gave us the strength and momentum to continue. I appreciate the tremendous support from the voters in Texas and Vermont. By voting in these all important Democratic Primaries, you, the voters, not only fulfilled your civic duties, but shouted in one voice that enough was enough. After seven years of a President who listens only to the special interests, you're ready for a President who brings your voice, your values, and your dreams to your White House.
As you all know very well from previous elections, hard-fought primary contests are a part of American politics; we had a hard-fought and successful contest; we disagreed sometimes and yet our differences were miniscule compared to our guiding principles.
These elections were about the people who have shared their problems with me, looking for solutions. The mother whose insurance company wouldn't pay for her child's treatment. The couple so determined to send their daughter to college, they're willing to mortgage their home with a sub-prime second mortgage. The man who asked me what to do after training the person who will take his job in another country, the veterans who come home only to find they don't have the healthcare, the compensation, and the services they need.
This campaign was also about the people who want to seize America's opportunity; about the unions and businesses who are training people for green collar jobs; about the auto companies and auto workers who want higher gas mileage cars so we can compete with the rest of the world; about our scientist and researchers who yearn for tools to develop renewable energy.
We ran because we cared about our contractors and construction workers who want to get to work to rebuild America from the bridges in Minnesota to the levies in New Orleans.
We're going to address the home foreclosure and mortgage crisis, too many Ohioans are losing their homes; the numbers are staggering: 150,000 homes and foreclosures last year; we will figure out a way to work out keeping people in their homes, instead of having homeless people and vacant houses in neighborhoods that will decrease property values for everybody.
I believe we need universal health care and I know we can achieve that.
We need affordable college again, and through a combination of tax credit and aid, reining in the student loan companies that have been acting like predatory lenders, we're going to go back to direct lending to help students afford to go to college. And if they come out with debt, if they are willing to do a public service job like teaching or nursing or law enforcement, we will forgive their debt so that they can be debt free.
We're going to start supporting our unions again, because when unions were strong we had a strong middle class. It's not an accident. It's time that working people had a president on their side again. Finally, we are going to have trade that lifts up our families: pro-worker, pro-environment, pro-American trade. I know that NAFTA has hurt a lot of American families. That's why we have to take action with a comprehensive approach that reserves the option to opt out. We will also crack down on China's unfair trade practices, including currency manipulation which gives them big advantages over our companies and our country. We hear a lot about the problems and they are serious but I believe for every problem, there is at least one solution. We just have to start acting like Americans again and roll up our sleeves and actually solve our problems. No more whining, no more finger pointing, let's get to work.
For seven years, we have seen President Bush's answer. They don't know what's at stake in this election, but we do. We know what we need is someone ready and of sound judgment to solve our problems and restore our opportunities.
Well, the Republicans want eight more years of the same. They see tax cuts for the wealthy - and they say, why not some more? They see nine trillion dollars in debt - and say, why not trillions more? They see five years in Iraq - and they say, why not a hundred more?
Well, they've got until January 20, 2009 - and not one day more.
Now we know the Republicans won't give up the White House without a fight, well let me be clear, I won't let anyone swift boat this country's future. Together we're going to take back America because I see an America where our economy works for everyone, not just those at the top, where prosperity is shared and we create good jobs that stay right here in America.
I see an America where we stand up to the oil companies and the oil producing countries, where we launch a clean energy revolution and finally confront the climate crisis.
I see an America where we don't just provide health care for some people, or most people, but for every single man, woman and child in this country - no one left out.
I see an America where when a young man or woman signs up to serve our country, we sign up to serve them too.
An America with a 21st century GI bill of rights to help veterans go to college, buy a home or start their own businesses.
I see an America respected around the world again, that reaches out to our allies and confronts our shared challenges - from global terrorism to global warming to global epidemics.
That's the America I see - that's the America we will build together.
I am so lucky to have the most extraordinary staff, volunteers, and supporters; And I am so grateful for all those long hours and late nights that you've been putting in.
And I want to thank the most important people in my life, first Bill and Chelsea, for their incredible love and support.
They have done so much day in and day out and I want to thank all my friends and family, particularly my mother, who was born before women could vote, and is watching her daughter on this stage tonight.
I especially want to congratulate Senator Obama for his victories tonight. Barack Obama has run a very dignified and righteous campaign, reaching deep within the hearts of the youth, transcending both gender and age, color and creed; He listened to the people, to you; he heard your voice, the voice that called for change; the voice that had the distinct urgency of now; the voice that said we are the ones that we have been waiting for; the voice that said, Yes we can.
Barack heard this voice and responded; and you the voters, the electorate; the real power in America responded; you decided whom you wanted to lead you; and as the experienced leader that I am with an ear on the ground, I too, have heard your cries and responded. After several months of debates and campaigns against Senator Obama, I must admit that I too, have become a believer in the change that we can all believe in. The change that Barack Obama stands for.
So it is with great pleasure that I am suspending my candidacy and fully embracing our Democratic nominee and the Next President of the United States of America, President Barack Obama.
I wrote a book some years ago called "It Takes a Village to Raise a Child" and in it I have a chapter that I titled "Every Child Needs a Champion." I think that the American people need a President who is their champion and that is what Obama has proven to be.
So tonight we say with one voice, Give us the child who wants to learn, give us the people in need of work, and give us the veterans who need our care. We say give us the economy to rebuild and this war to end, give us this nation to heal, this world to lead, this moment to seize. Tonight we say, give us back our America. John McCain, here we come and we are flaming hot.
I know we're ready.
Thank you all and God bless you
The Big Hope 
Lazarus
