Transcript: Kerry Concession Speech

KERRY: I think of the brigades of students and people, young and old, who took time to travel, time off from work, their own vacation time, to work in states far and wide. They braved the hot days of summer and the cold days of the fall and the winter to knock on door because they were determined to open the doors of opportunity to all Americans.

They worked their hearts out. And I wish, you don't know how much, that I could have brought this race home for you, for them.

And I say to them now: Don't lose faith. What you did made a difference.

KERRY: And building on itself, we go on to make a difference another day.

I promise you, that time will come, the time will come, the election will come, when your work and your ballots will change the world. And it's worth fighting for.

I want to especially say to the American people: In this journey, you have given me the honor and the gift of listening and learning from you.

I have visited your homes, I visited your churches, I visited your community halls, I've heard your stories. 

I know your struggles, I know your hopes. They are part of me now. 

And I will never forget you and I'll never stop fighting for you.

(APPLAUSE)

You may not understand completely in what ways, but it is true when I say to you that you have taught me and you have tested me and you've lifted me up and you've made me stronger.

I did my best to express my vision and my hopes for America. We worked hard and we fought hard, and I wish that things had turned out a little differently. 

But in an American election, there are no losers, because whether or not our candidates are successful, the next morning we all wake up as Americans.

(APPLAUSE)

That is the greatest privilege and the most remarkable good fortune that can come to us on Earth.

KERRY: With that gift also comes obligation. We are required now to work together for the good of our country. 

In the days ahead, we must find common cause. We must join in common effort, without remorse or recrimination, without anger or rancor. America is in need of unity and longing for a larger measure of compassion. 

I hope President Bush will advance those values in the coming years.