We're told that outsourcing jobs is good for America and that new jobs that pay $9,000 less than those that were lost is the best we can do. They say this is the best economy we've ever had and that anyone who thinks otherwise is a pessimist.

Well, there is nothing more pessimistic than saying America can't do better. We can do better and we will.

We're the optimists. For us, this is a country of the future. Let's not forget what we did in the 1990s. We balanced the budget, paid down the debt, and created 23 million new jobs. We lifted millions out of poverty and lifted the standard of living for the middle class. We just need to believe in ourselves, and we can do it again. 

I am proud that my running mate is John Edwards, whose life is the story of the American dream and who's worked every day to make that dream real for all Americans. 
At my side I'm also blessed to have my children and my wife Teresa, herself an immigrant who saw her country torn by civil war. Teresa speaks her mind and she speaks the truth, and I love her for that.

My campaign reflects, and my administration will reflect, what America looks like. Among those closest to my campaign are Henry Cisneros, former HUD Secretary; José Villarreal, who served as Associate Director in the Office of Presidential Personnel in the Clinton White House; Councilman Antonio Villaraigosa, former Speaker of the California State Assembly; and Aida Alvarez, the highest ranking Latina in the Clinton White House who led the Small Business Administration when it held its rightful place in President Clinton's cabinet.
They have honored me with their support, and with their hard work at the highest levels of my campaign. 

 

John Kerry receives another warm greeting in Los Angeles at a celebration of Cinco de Mayo.

I ask you to judge me by my record: As a prosecutor, I fought for victim's rights and made prosecuting violence against women a priority. In the Senate, I broke with many in my own party to vote for a balanced budget, because it was the right thing to do. I fought to put 100,000 cops on the street. In Massachusetts I joined the fight to protect bilingual education and expand opportunity for minority owned small businesses. After decades of experience in national security, I know the reach of our power, and I know the power of our ideals. Strength is more than tough words. I will be a commander in chief who will never mislead us into war. We need to rebuild our alliances so that we can get the terrorists before they get us.

I will be a commander in chief who will never mislead us into war. We need to rebuild our alliances so that we can get the terrorists before they get us.

On the home front, too many Hispanic children don't finish high school, and too many Hispanic families go without health care. We will fight for our children's education so that we can truly say that no child has been left behind. Because your health care is as important as any elected official's, we're going to make the type of health care now available to Members of Congress accessible to all Americans. We will also honor our legacy as a nation of immigrants, and in the first 100 days of our administration we will introduce legislation to reform our immigration system so that it is fair, and gives hard-working, tax-paying immigrants a chance to pursue the American Dream.

These aren't Democratic values or Republican values. They're American values. They're who we are. And if we honor them and believe in ourselves, we can build an America that's stronger at home and respected in the world.

I ask that you join me, and together we're going to write the next great chapter of America's story. 

Visit us at www.unidosconkerry.com or in Spanish at www.johnkerry.com/espanol, and join me in this important campaign.