I wrote at the time that we're in the battle for the soul of this nation.

Well, that's even more true today.

We are in the battle for the soul of this nation.

I believe history will look back on four years of this president and all he embraces

as an aberrant moment in time.

But if we give Donald Trump eight years in the White House, he will forever and fundamentally

alter the character of this nation.

We are and I cannot stand by once that happened.

The core values of this nation are standing in the world, our very democracy.

Everything that has made America, America is at stake.

That's why today I'm announcing my candidacy for President of the United States.

Folks America is an idea.

An idea that's stronger than any army, bigger than any ocean, more powerful than any dictator

or tyrant.

It gives hope to the most desperate people on earth.

It guarantees that everyone is treated with dignity and gives hate, no safe harbor.

And it instills in every person in this country the belief that no matter where you start

in life, there's nothing you can achieve if you work at it.

That's what we believe.

And above all else, that's what's at stake in this election.

As they say in my business, I'm going to give you the whole load today.

We got the first sort of mainstream African-American who is articulate and bright and clean,

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