Transcript: Kerry in Florida

Democrat John F. Kerry told supporters Friday in Orlando to go out and vote in an effort to capitalize on early voting in this battleground state that handed President Bush an electoral victory in 2000. Here is a transcript of Kerry’s speech.

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KERRY: Thank you. It’s great to be back in Orlando.

Four days from now, Americans will face a choice.

How will we find our way forward? How will we keep America safe, and keep the American Dream alive?

I believe we begin by giving this country we love a fresh start. This morning, I would like to give you as a plainly as I can the summary of my case on how -- together -- we can change America.

I believe we begin by moving our economy, our government, and our society back in line with our best values.

I believe we begin by doing whatever it takes to lead our troops to success and bring them home safe. And when they do come home, I believe we begin by rebuilding an America with a strong middle-class where everyone has the chance to work and the opportunity to get ahead.

My friends, after the many long months and miles of this campaign, in four days this election will be in your hands.

In four days, a father will check in at his polling place and think about the family waiting for him to come home for dinner. His job has been outsourced and his new job doesn’t pay the bills like his old one did. He’ll wonder what they’ll do if the kids get sick. And he’ll wonder whether we can afford four more years of a President who fights for those at the top while telling everyone else that this is the best economy of our lifetime.

But on Tuesday, you have the choice to give that father hope. You have the choice to give the American economy a fresh start.

In four days, a young woman will pick up her ballot and think about her future. She’ll wonder whether she’ll be able to find a good job that will pay off her college loans. She’ll wonder how you juggle work and family and why no matter how hard she works she seems to fall further behind. She’ll wonder whether we can afford four more years of a President who calls concerns like these nothing more than a litany of complaints.

But on Tuesday, you have the choice to give her hope. You have the choice to give young people all across America a fresh start on their future.

In four days, a woman will walk into a voting booth thinking about the husband she said goodbye to so many months ago. She’ll wonder how much longer he’ll have to stay in Iraq, and when she’ll see him again. And she will wonder whether we can afford four more years of a President who’s unwilling to admit the mistakes he has made, and says he would do everything all over again exactly the same.