Change We Can Believe In. Barack Obama,

force that is the legacy of generations of Americans. The tide of history seemed poised to turn, once again, toward hope.

      But instead, we got a politics of fear that uses patriotism as a wedge to divide us. We got the diplomacy of “my way or the highway,” where the United States—which had summit meetings with Soviet leaders at the height of the Cold War—refused to talk to our adversaries. We got a rigid twentieth-century theory of foreign affairs that insisted that the twenty-first century’s stateless terrorism could be defeated through the invasion and occupation of a country—Iraq—that, while a horrible regime, had nothing to do with the attacks of 9/11.

      Now, Osama bin Laden is still at large, and Al Qaeda has reconstituted itself in the tribal areas of Pakistan. We have neither developed the new capabilities needed to defeat a new enemy nor launched a comprehensive strategy to dry up the terrorists’ base of support. We undermined our strength by compromising our values of due process and liberty and by not fully securing our homeland. And we went to war in Iraq—a war that Barack Obama opposed in 2002—with no plan for how to win the peace. This shifted our focus away from battling Al Qaeda, strained our military, divided our country, and diminished our global standing in the world.

      In spite of all this, our men and women in uniform have performed bravely and brilliantly. They have done everything that has been asked of them—and much more—without nearly enough backup and support. They have been asked to bear an evolving and ever-increasing load: gathering intelligence, training foreign militaries, supplying earthquake and tsunami relief, fighting with Afghan allies to topple the Taliban, persevering in the deserts and cities of Iraq, and winning every battle they have fought. As it has in four different centuries, the U.S. military has answered when called, and the verdict on their performance is clear: through their commitment, their courage, and their capability, they have done us all proud.

      But the sad truth is that they—and all of us—have not had civilian leadership that lives up to this service. It’s time for new leadership in a changing world. In all he does as commander in chief, Barack Obama will be guided by the understanding that there is no more awesome responsibility that is placed in a President’s hand than protecting our country and our security. As President, Barack Obama will:

       End the war in Iraq responsibly with a phased withdrawal that pushes Iraq’s leaders toward a political solution, rebuilds our military, and refocuses our attention on defeating Osama bin Laden and Al Qaeda.

       Turn the tide against global terrorism with new military capabilities, enhanced intelligence, vigorous and tough diplomacy, a restoration of America’s moral authority in the battle of ideas, and forward-looking, strengthened homeland security.

       Stop the spread of nuclear weapons through a comprehensive strategy for nuclear security that will reduce the danger of nuclear terrorism and prevent the spread of nuclear weapons capabilities.

       Rebuild a strong twenty-first-century military that has the training, equipment, and support it needs to respond to new threats.

       Rally the world against the new global threats of the twenty-first century—climate change, oil dependence, extreme poverty, disease pandemics, genocide, and failed states.

       Provide our members of the Armed Forces, wounded warriors, and veterans with the pay, care, benefits, and respect they and their families have earned.

       Lead the free world by rebuilding strong alliances and partnerships to more effectively confront the threats to our security, as well as tough, direct diplomacy even with our enemies. We must once again have the courage and conviction not to be afraid to let any dictator know where America stands and what we stand for.

      As we confront these challenges, the conventional thinking in Washington tells us that we’re a country divided into Red states and Blue states; that we’re doomed to fight the same tired partisan battles over and over again; that we can’t come together to grow our economy or meet the threats of the twenty-first century; that we can’t take on big challenges like health care, energy, or education; that Americans can’t reach past the lines of region, religion, or race; and that young Americans are unwilling to serve and act as citizens in the highest sense.

      But at this moment, millions of Americans are already coming together to prove that thinking wrong and demand something better. They are hungry for new leadership and a new direction for America. These Americans are Democrats who are tired of being divided; Republicans who no longer recognize their own party; and independents who are ready for change in Washington. They are young people who’ve been inspired for the very first time and those not-so-young Americans who’ve been inspired for the first time in a long time. They include veterans and churchgoers, sportsmen and students, farmers and factory workers, and teachers and business owners. They all have varied backgrounds and different traditions, but they share the same values that bind us together as one country: common sense and honesty; generosity and compassion; decency and responsibility.

      What we need in the next President is the proven ability to bring people to the table and get things done. We need a President who understands the world we live in today and has a detailed plan to bring opportunity and security to all Americans. We need a leader who will level with the American people about what he will do if entrusted with the presidency and what we, as a nation, must do to get our country back on track.

      That is the kind of leader that Barack Obama has been his entire life. The pages ahead contain details about the substantive agenda that Barack Obama has put forward to the American people. We hope you read it, share it with your neighbors, and join the debate about what we should do at this critical time and what America can become. Taken together, these policies are more than just a compendium of what to expect from Barack Obama. They sum up his faith in what this country can be: that in the face of war, there can be security and peace; that in the face of despair, there can be hope; that in the face of a cynical partisanship that has divided us for too long, Americans can be one people united in building that more perfect union.

      That’s what this campaign—and this moment—are all about: change we can believe in.

       REVIVING OUR ECONOMY

       STRENGTHENING THE MIDDLE CLASS

      “I’ve often said that in the business world, the rearview mirror is always clearer than the windshield. But I believe that Barack Obama has the right understanding of the fundamental challenges we face and the right vision for where we need to go as a nation. When my secretary pays taxes at a higher rate than I do, it’s clear we need to restore that sense of fairness to our economy that allows all Americans a chance at the American Dream. Barack Obama will do that. His plan to strengthen the middle class will help all Americans move forward, which makes us all stronger—businesses and families alike.”

      —Warren Buffett

      CEO and Chairman of Berkshire Hathaway, Inc.

      “In eight years, real incomes have fallen, core expenses have risen, and millions of families, even those with two incomes, are working harder than ever just to make ends meet. Barack Obama boldly addresses issues critical to family economic security that other politicians avoid: predatory lending, rising bankruptcies, and staggering credit card debt. His policies will strengthen the middle class, restore the safety net, and help us live up to the ideal that here in America, we rise and fall together.”

      —Elizabeth Warren

      Coauthor of The Two-Income Trap: Why Middle-Class Mothers and Fathers Are Going Broke

      Throughout American history, our nation has grown and prospered when all Americans have shared in the opportunities created by our economy. Despite all the changes in our world, Barack Obama believes that this is