Good evening, Democrats. Good evening, Democrats. 40 years ago in our nation's bicentennial year I stood before you to accept your nomination as president. We wish we could be there with you again tonight to prepare for what will be an extremely important election, one that will define for a generation who we are as a nation and as a people.
We Americans have a clear choice before us. I feel proud that the two democratic candidates who competed throughout a long primary season, senator Bernie Sanders and secretary of state Hillary Clinton, comported themselves with dignity, talked about issues that matter and presented a vision for our nation.
I thank Senator Sanders for energizing and bringing so many young people into the electoral process. To all of you young Americans I say stay engaged, stay involved and be sure to vote this November.
At a moment when it's become more important than ever to lift people up, to offer hope and a road map to a brighter future, instead we see a Republican presidential candidate who seems to violate some of the most important moral and ethical principles on which our nation was founded. We can and must do better.
Fortunately the Democratic nominee we'll soon be choosing offers a stark contrast in both substance and style and also competence and experience to what the Republicans have chosen.
I have known Hillary Clinton for decades. When she was a young attorney, I appointed her to the legal services corporation, where she became the first woman chair. There, Hillary fought to make sure that in our courts, those with the least were treated the same as those with the most. Since then, as you know, Hillary has always demonstrated a willingness to take on the most difficult challenges and to get things done. Her life has been dedicated to advancing human rights across the globe, especially for women and children.
These are perilous times. We need someone with a strong heart, a deep understanding of issues, challenges and opportunities, and a steady hand. Hillary Clinton has my support. I know she will also have yours. A united democratic party will prevail in November. Thank you all and God bless the United States of America.
