General Wesley K. Clark
Election Night Remarks
Memphis, TN
February 10, 2004

As prepared for delivery

Thank you, Tennessee! As one of my favorite country singers, and Tennessean, George Jones, likes to say: "It just don't get any better than this."

Thank you for your support.

Thank you for standing by me.

And thank you for working so hard to take back the White House for its rightful owners - the American people.

I've spent almost every day of the last week here with all of you, traveling from city to city on a bus. I've loved every minute of it!

And I want to thank the volunteers who made the phone calls, licked the envelopes, and knocked on the doors day after day after day. Now I really understand why they call Tennessee the volunteer state.

I just called John Kerry to congratulate him on his victories in Tennessee and Virginia. I'd also like to congratulate John Edwards. They are good men, good Democrats, and real patriots - and they've run great campaigns.

We may have the lost the battle today, but, I'll tell you now, we are not going to lose the war for America's future.

Our goal remains the same: to change the direction of our country and bring a higher standard of leadership to the White House.

And there is no party more committed to that effort, no party more committed to the American people, than our party ... my party ... the Democratic Party.

George W. Bush has had three long years to keep our country moving forward.

But instead, he's done nothing but set us back.

3 million lost jobs.

Exploding deficits.

44 million uninsured.

And the wrong war at the wrong time.

It's time we reclaimed the mantle for a better America.

It's time we took America back for its rightful owners -- the American people.

An America where we don't just talk about family values, but where we actually value families. And where a job, an education, and health care aren't just luxuries for the chosen few.

An America where we don't just preach our faith - we practice it.

And those that have the most reach out to those with the least.

An America where everyone has a shot at the American dream, no matter where they're from.

And where everyone is included - recognizing that our diversity is our greatest strength.

An America where we understand that debate and dissent - that questioning your leaders and holding them accountable - is the highest form of patriotism.

And where being patriotic means using force only as a last resort, not as a political tool.

An America where we look up to our leaders, and trust our commander in chief.

These are the values we must champion.

I leave Tennessee even more full of hope, and even more committed to building a better America than when we began this journey five months ago. That's because of all of you.

Together we can move America forward!

Thank you and God bless you.