Kennedy Rallies Massachusetts Democrats

Senator Kennedy Delivered This Speech at the Massachusetts Democratic State Convention this weekend

“Let’s go, Democrats!
Thank you, thank you, thank you.
I’m grateful to Vicki for that beautiful introduction. She’s the love of my life, my rock and my inspiration.
I also thank my nephews – Joe and Matt – for their wonderful words. I’m proud of them and all they’ve been doing. And I’m so proud that my son Teddy Jr. is here tonight with his wife Kiki and my grandchildren Kiley and Teddy.
My family has always believed profoundly in public service. After college, Joe joined the Peace Corps and helped impoverished communities in the Dominican Republic build brighter futures. Matt helped families find a way out of poverty in New York City and achieve the American Dream.
As President Kennedy said, “Each individual can make a difference, and all of us must try.” Those words still ring true today – especially in Massachusetts.
When I visited Springfield High School, I met Justin Hearst who quit his job as a corporate lawyer to make a bigger difference in the lives of young people by teaching high school English.
In Fall River, Tom Pasternak works as a pharmacist all day, then spends extra hours helping seniors work through the tangled web of the new Medicare drug program so they’d get the affordable care they need.
John Gonsalves started a non-profit organization in Taunton – called Homes for Our Troops – to build handicapped accessible homes for veterans injured in Iraq and Afghanistan. Today, because of John’s work, our disabled veterans have a chance to rebuild their lives and contribute their talents to our Commonwealth.
The people of the Commonwealth know that we’re stronger when we all pull together.
They know that we each have a responsibility to make our community, our Commonwealth, our country, and our world a better place. As Massachusetts Democrats, that’s our commitment and our duty. And tonight I stand with you, ready to lead the way.
Americans know that there’s no one who understands that more than George McGovern. Whether he was helping President Kennedy feed the world or speaking out against the war in Vietnam, George McGovern is a great American who fought and won many battles for a better America.
I just wish we had more men and women in Washington today who share these ideals. Instead we have too many Dick Cheneys. Too many Karl Roves. Too many Donald Rumsfelds. And too many out of step, out of touch, out of control Republicans.
Well, let me tell you – this November all that’s going to change. Because we’re going to put the Republican Party out of office.
Republicans, you’re on notice.
Time to order the moving vans.
Time to order the boxes.
Time to order the packing tape.
Because November 7th we’re moving you out!
Out of the corner office in the State House.
Out of the halls of Congress.
Out of the way of progress – because it’s time to get America back on track!
So I give special thanks today to Sam Poulten, Cathy Dwyer, Henry Twiggs, Nydia Mendez and Pace Wilisson for forwarding my name in nomination. I’m moved by your kindness and proud of your support. And I proudly accept your nomination.
Fellow Democrats, together across the state, we’ve been doing our part for progress.
We’ve waged and won many important battles together – emergency aid to help Massachusetts families and businesses ravaged by flooding – saving our historic treasures like Barrett Farm in Concord which had so big a role the day the embattled farmers fired the shot heard round the world – or preserving Thoreau’s majestic Walden Woods – or saving Hanscom – or revitalizing downtown Lawrence and bringing 300 new jobs to Attleboro – or supporting the research at UMASS Amherst so that our state can continue to lead the nation in innovation and invention – or passing health reforms that are the envy of the nation.
Because of you, Massachusetts leads in so many ways. Our universities educate the world. Our hospitals treat the world. Our economy is the envy of the world. Our businesses and academic institutions do the critical research and provide the solutions to the world’s greatest problems.
We do it because we believe in it. We believe in the promise of progress and prosperity for all. When it comes to standing up for our principles and speaking out for our priorities, we will never give up, we will never give in.
Never, never, never.
We’re all in this together, this fight for a better America. And we know what we’re up against.
Health care and college costs are going through the roof.
Wages are tumbling down.
Pensions are being drained.
The rights of workers are under assault.
Our national security is being outsourced to foreign countries.
Our troops are stretched to the breaking point because of an endless war in Iraq that’s claimed almost 2500 American lives, including 48 from Massachusetts, and crippled thousands.
In a little over five years – America has gone from leading the world to being despised by the world.
So let me say this loud and clear. My vote against this misbegotten war is the best vote I’ve cast in the United States Senate.
And my call more than a year ago to bring our troops home is one of my proudest moments.
Our presence in Iraq enflames the insurgency. We’re a crutch for an Iraqi government that needs to stand on its own.
Our troops have served bravely and make us proud. They’ve done their jobs and done them well. Now it’s time for us to do ours and welcome them home.
On Iraq and on so many other issues, something’s got to change, and we know what is. We’ll say it loud and clear to Republicans in November – you’re fired!
Americans aren’t looking for big government or small government, a liberal government or a conservative government.
They’re looking most of all for a competent government.
A government that leads us to better days and brighter futures, not ideological battles and special interest boondoggles.
A government that inspires us to reach higher, not settle for less.
Instead, this President and his Republican majority in Congress are giving us a government that’s not only incompetent – it’s dangerously incompetent.
Instead of investing in our future by solving the energy crisis and helping students go to college, they pass tax breaks for the rich and hand out no-bid contracts to Halliburton.
Instead of a Medicare drug bill to help senior citizens afford their prescription drugs, they pass a law that gives huge windfalls to drug companies and insurance companies, and leaves seniors with confusion and higher costs.
Instead of standing up for an independent judiciary, they’ve forced Neanderthal federal judges onto our courts.
Instead of investing in homeland security so Americans are protected here at home, they put cronies in charge of our life and death agencies who bungle the response to Katrina and outsource our security.
Instead of promoting and protecting our values in the war on terror, they’ve tarnished them by ignoring our civil rights, spying on Americans, and torturing our prisoners.
Well, that’s not our America.
Our America is about jobs and schools and health care.
It’s about values and rights and opportunity.
It’s about Social Security and Medicare and pensions.
It’s about security and strength and progress.
That’s our America. And that’s the America we’re ready to lead into the future.
We’ve done it before and can do it again. We created the GI Bill of Rights for WWII veterans to go to college and earn a degree. They did it, and it was no coincidence they became the greatest generation. We created Social Security and Medicare, won the civil rights revolution, and put a man on the moon. We balanced the budget, created 20 million new jobs, and created the longest period of economic growth in our history.
And all because, as Robert F. Kennedy said, “Some people see things as they are and say why. I dream things that never were, and say, why not.” That’s what defines us as Democrats. When faced with a challenge, we say: “why not.”
There’s a real thirst in America today for leaders who will ask the tough questions and find the new solutions we need to meet the challenges of our time.
The challenges may be great, but so is our resolve.
Today, millions of working men and women are living in poverty, because it’s been nine long years since we raised the minimum wage for the nation. Our opponents say don’t do it. But we say, why not.
If Congress can vote itself a raise, why not give hardworking Americans a raise, too?
The same is true of energy. Our citizens are paying more than $3 at the gas pump, while oil companies laugh all the way to the bank to deposit their record profits. Our opponents say we can’t stop the big oil companies from gouging the American people. But we say, why not.
Instead of lavishing billions of dollars in giveaways to big oil, why not invest in the renewable energy sources of the future that create jobs, protect our air and water from pollution, and make us more secure? Why not.
The same is true of education. We’re falling behind in equipping our citizens to compete and win in the global economy. Our opponents say no, we can’t afford to open the doors of college opportunity to all Americans. But we say, why not.
If we can spend nine billion dollars a month in Iraq, why can’t we invest the $15 billion a year here at home to open the college door to all Americans, regardless of income? Why not.
On health care, the story is the same. Our Republican friends say we can’t afford to provide health care for our citizens. But we joined President Travaglini and Speaker DiMasi in saying, why not.
And I’m going to keep saying “why not” in the United States Senate until quality, affordable health care is guaranteed to every man, woman and child in America.
Why not. Why not.
I say why not to all these challenges and many others. I know what America can be, and what America should be. I know it. I’ve seen it. And I’ve lived it.
If you want to bring high tech industries and new jobs to this state, and extend the high tech economy to Worcester, the Pioneer Valley, and beyond, then I’m your Senator.
If you want to protect the beauty and heritage of Massachusetts, from the Berkshires to Cape Cod, then I’m your Senator.
If you want clean water and clean air for our children, from Boston Harbor to the Housatonic River, then I’m your Senator.
If you want to transform brownfields and revitalize downtown communities to create new jobs from Brockton to Attleboro to North Adams to Lawrence, then I’m your Senator.
If you want our public schools to open new doors of opportunity for our children and give them the best education possible, then I’m your Senator.
If you want a responsible foreign policy based on courage and cooperation, not arrogance and incompetence; that never sends our men and women in uniform into battle without armor or a plan to succeed, then I’m your Senator.
If you want to continue our progress toward equality and against discrimination, then I’m your Senator.
If you want to defend the rights of gay Americans to live their lives with dignity, respect, and the full protection of their constitutional rights, then I’m your Senator.
If you want an economy that works for all, not just the privileged few, if you believe a rising tide lifts all boats, then I’m your Senator.
If you want real protection for your retirement security, your Social Security, your Medicare and your pension, then I’m your Senator.
If you believe in a stronger and safer future for your children, then I’m your Senator.
These are the ideals that unite us. These are the ideals that keep the Democratic Party strong. These are the ideals that bring life to the American dream – where each new generation lives in a better, safer and fairer world.
It’s the greatest honor of my life to serve all of you and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in the United States Senate and to fight for these ideals each and every day.
But the battle is not over. There are still challenges to meet and progress to make.
Will you stand with me?
Will you let me be your voice?
Will you send me back to the United States Senate?
Together, we will change America. Together, we will make November 7th a day Republicans will never forget! Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. And the best is yet to come!