self so that I could have a better life. She poured everything she had into me. And although she can no longer travel， I know that she s watching tonight， and that tonight is her night as well.

I don t know what kind of lives John McCain thinks that celebrities lead， but this has been mine. These are my heroes. Theirs are the stories that shaped me. And it is on their behalf that I intend to win this election and keep our promise alive as President of the United States.

What is that promise？

It s a promise that says each of us has the freedom to make of our own lives what we will， but that we also have the obligation to treat each other with dignity and respect.

It s a promise that says the market should reward drive and innovation and generate growth， but that businesses should live up to their responsibilities to create American jobs， look out for American workers， and play by the rules of the road.

Ours is a promise that says government cannot solve all our problems， but what it should do is that which we cannot do for ourselves protect us from harm and provide every child a decent education； keep our water clean and our toys safe； invest in new schools and new roads and new science and technology.

Our government should work for us， not against us. It should help us， not hurt us. It should ensure opportunity not just for those with the most money and influence， but for every American who s willing to work.

That s the promise of America the idea that we are responsibl