Those were the opening words of Barack Obama's speech following his victory in the Iowa Caucuses. On that night, I knew that Iowans had made history, but Barack acknowledged it in a way that I never expected. He universalized our message.
He pinned all his hopes and plans for his candidacy on us in Iowa, and I was never prouder of my state and my country as I was that night. I'm so grateful to have been a tiny part of it. I'm even more grateful that our votes allowed Barack to reach the millions of people who will put him over the top tonight.
I will be able to write a something like this only one more time in my life, on Novenber 3, 2008.
We must not blow it, now. We must not allow others to do the work. We must not allow the other side to set the agenda. We must not let money talk, except when it talks for us!
Let's all promise to give Barack the ultimate moment on November 3, 2008 to say again, "They said this day would never come."
My promise is this:
I promise to give the campaign $100 today, and on the first of each month through November.
Please, join me in pledging to give an amount just beyond what you can afford for the next five months.
If you cannot, pledge to use 24 hours of your time each of the next five months to work for a Democratic candidate.
If you cannot do that, promise to make 24 calls per month for a Democratic Candidate.
If you cannot do that, help register voters for a few hours each month.
If you cannot do that, write a letter to the editor each month.
If you cannot do that, wear a Barack Obama T-short at least one weekend each month.
If you cannot do that.....
Make your promise, and tell you what it is!
Find what you can personally do, and promise to do it. Then, just do it.
Yes. We. Can!