We live in a world with 120 nations, and each one of those nations has its own idea about what is best for its own people.

Unfortunately, these legitimate national aspirations are still denied to many peoples.

You are lucky enough and you are fortunate enough and you are blessed enough today to live in the most powerful nation in all the world.

They may talk of changing the world, but what they mean to change is America first.

So today I call upon you to answer your Nation's challenge, to answer it by being leaders for a united America, united and indivisible under God.

We must make it dear, to all abroad and to all at home, that America will never permit itself to be divided.

If we are to remain a great nation, we must be led by great people.

That's why I am proud to be an American.

I believe as a dissatisfied citizen, as one who has the greatest possible confidence in this country, that we are going to have to meet a higher standard as a Nation and as leaders of the free world.

I run with the idea not of downgrading our country, because my confidence in this country is unlimited.

Our stars and our ideal is the welfare of our country and the welfare of freedom.

I come today not as a citizen of Massachusetts, but as a fellow American.

We hold the view that while this is a great country, we can do better; while this is a great State, we can do better; while this is a powerful country, it can be stronger.

My feeling is that this is a great country, but I think it can be a greater country.

Those things which must be done can be done by this country.

I don't want a second-rate America.

We must be willing to devote our national energies to demonstrating in every form of human endeavor we are second to none, that we are first and will continue to be first regardless of what challenges may be hurled against us.

We shall have heartened the patriots who are dedicated to the independence of their nations.