so let us summon a new spirit of patriotism; of service and responsibility where each of us resolves to pitch in and work harder and look after not only ourselves, but each other. let us remember that if this financial crisis taught us anything, it's that we cannot have a thriving wall street while main street suffers - in this country, we rise or fall as one nation; as one people.
let us resist the temptation to fall back on the same partisanship and pettiness and immaturity that has poisoned our politics for so long. let us remember that it was a man from this state who first carried the banner of the republican party to the white house - a party founded on the values of self-reliance, individual liberty, and national unity. those are values we all share, and while the democratic party has won a great victory tonight, we do so with a measure of humility and determination to heal the divides that have held back our progress. as lincoln said to a nation far more divided than ours, “we are not enemies, but friends…though passion may have strained it must not break our bonds of affection.” and to those americans whose support i have yet to earn - i may not have won your vote, but i hear your voices, i need your help, and i will be your president too.
and to all those watching tonight from beyond our shores, from parliaments and palaces to those who are huddled around radios in the forgotten corners of our world - our stories are singular, but our destiny is shared, and a new dawn of american leadership is at hand. to those who would tear this world down - we will defeat you. to those who seek peace and security - we support you. and to all those who have wondered if america's beacon still burns as bright - tonight we proved once more that the true strength of our nation comes not from our the might of our arms or the scale of our wealth, but from the enduring power of our ideals: democracy, liberty, opportunity, and unyielding hope.
for that is the true genius of america - that america can change. our union can be perfected. and what we have already achieved gives us hope for what we can and must achieve tomorrow.
this election had many firsts and many stories that will be told for generations. but one that's on my mind tonight is about a woman who cast her ballot in atlanta. she's a lot like the millions of others who stood in line to make their voice heard in this election except for one thing - ann nixon cooper is 106 years old.
