Mandela's commitment to democracy was ratified not only by his election, but by his willingness to step down from power

That is the true genius of America-a faith in simple dreams, an insistence on small miracles.

Look, Americans will go for leadership that makes sense. Our job, you know, as public officials, is not to put our finger in the air. Our job is to listen, and then lead.

I have become a symbol of the possibility of America returning to our best traditions.

We don't quit. I don't quit. Let's seize this moment.

The more freely information flows, the stronger the society becomes, because then citizens of countries around the world can hold their own governments accountable. They can begin to think for themselves.

I'm here with the Girardo family here in St. Louis.