We didn't start / with much money / or many endorsements. // Our campaign was not / hatched in the halls of Washington. // It began in the backyards of Des Moines / and the living rooms of Concord / and the front porches of Charleston. // It was built by working men and women / who dug into what little savings they had / to give five dollars / and ten dollars and twenty dollars / to the cause. // It grew strength from the young people / who rejected the myth of their generation's apathy / who left their homes / and their families / for jobs that offered little pay / and less sleep. // It drew strength from the not-so-young people / who braved the bitter cold / and scorching heat / to knock on doors of perfect strangers, / and from the millions of Americans / who volunteered and organized / and proved / that more than two centuries later / a government of the people, / by the people, / and for the people / has not perished from the Earth. // This is your victory. // There are mothers and fathers / who will lie awake / after the children fall asleep / and wonder how they'll make the mortgage / or pay their doctors' bills / or save enough for their child's college education. // There's new energy to harness, / new jobs to be created, / new schools to build, / and threats to meet, / alliances to repair. // The road ahead / will be long. // Our climb will be steep. // We may not get there in one year / or even in one term. // But, / America, / I have never been more hopeful / than I am tonight / that we will get there. // I promise you, / we as a people / will get there. //