The Freedom to Thrive

(Or My Superdelegate Solution)

There is, as always, good news for the people of the United States of America. Despite the multiple economic, energy, environmental and foreign policy crises created or inflamed by the policies of the Bush Administration, there is good news for the American people.The good news is that the policies of the Republican Party as led by George W. Bush, Dick Cheney and John McCain have been proven as absolute failures. Every day more and more Americans turn away from the fear-based, small-minded policies of the past to hopeful progressive ideas for the future.In his last State of the Union Address before World War II, Franklin Roosevelt outlined the Four Freedoms. He stated that all people should enjoy freedom of expression, freedom of religion, freedom from want and freedom from fear. These fundamental freedoms are at the heart of what has become the greatest nation in the world. These freedoms are not easily won or wrestled away from the powerful who would gladly feast while the least among us suffered. These freedoms are not easy in a time where global terrorism utilizes unprecedented tools for self-expression to plot and commit murder. Yet these freedoms are why our sons and daughters bravely volunteer to defend this nation. To extend these freedoms to every citizen of this country, we must be willing to sacrifice everything, even our personal ambitions.This Democratic Primary season has been a tribute to the great freedoms we all love. The campaigns of several fine candidates including a black man and a woman have generated more interest and empowered more Americans than any other election in our history. It has been my honor to join with the other candidates, especially Barrack Obama, to fight what I see one of the most important battles of our time, the small-mindedness of the current Republican party.This, the party of Lincoln, has become the party of small-mindedness. This is a party that sees only one solution in Iraq—stay the course. They see only one solution to our economic problems—tax cuts for the wealthiest Americans. One solution to Global Warming and Stem-Cell Research—doing little or nothing. The American people have resoundingly rejected these small-minded approaches to the most demanding problems of our time. In the rampant and enthusiastic support for the candidacy of Barrack Obama and myself, we have seen an America that is willing to look past the problems of the past to the solutions of the future.Believe me when I say that I am absolutely resolute that I am as committed as ever to the defeat of both John McCain and the small-minded policies of the past.It is because of my dedication winning back the White House for the American people that I am asking all Democratic Party Superdelegates to vote for the candidate who has the most elected delegates before the election. Of course, I will go on and fight for every delegate possible. I will ask for revotes in Florida and Michigan. But I will respect the process and support whomever the people of our party elect as our candidate.This campaign, like any spirited competition, has brought out passions in both sides. My husband and others have been vigorous in my defense. Yet our respect for Barrack Obama is immense. I would gladly support his candidacy and hope he would do the same for mine. If he does indeed win the nomination of our party, I hope that many of the values I am fighting for, especially Universal Health Care, will become part of his agenda. But I know that the strength and promise of any new administration will be an open-minded approach to the future that builds on the success of the 1990s and takes us new triumphs for the values of liberty, justice and respect for all humankind.We have the right to live with our freedoms intact. Freedom is both the means and the goal of this great American experience. I’m thankful for the opportunities this country has given me, and I look forward to making this country and world a better place for all of us.Thank you and God bless.