Rantings of a Radical Activist - The most progressive President in 40 years.

The first left-wing movement activist to be elected President in American history.

Does a movement that hasn't had one of their own in the White House for a generation know how to work with an ally to achieve legislative victories? Are we capable of learning how to do more than complain about the guy in charge? Are we able to recognize the good faith efforts of an ally after years of being told that Democrats are one half of our two-headed enemy? Do we know how to organize to pressure Congress so that a President's progressive proposal doesn't become a disappointing compromise?

The road ahead will be long. Our climb will be steep. We may not get there in one year or even one term, but America - I have never been more hopeful than I am tonight that we will get there. I promise you - we as a people will get there.

There will be setbacks and false starts. There are many who won't agree with every decision or policy I make as President, and we know that government can't solve every problem. But I will always be honest with you about the challenges we face. I will listen to you, especially when we disagree. And above all, I will ask you join in the work of remaking this nation the only way it's been done in America for two-hundred and twenty-one years - block by block, brick by brick, calloused hand by calloused hand.

What began twenty-one months ago in the depths of winter must not end on this autumn night. This victory alone is not the change we seek - it is only the chance for us to make that change. And that cannot happen if we go back to the way things were. It cannot happen without you.

That call went out on election night 2008. Sometimes, I'm woefully discouraged that the response from too many was to sit back, relax and wait for their cynicism to be validated, as if change is something they can watch happen on a screen.