This, after all, is what led them to wear the uniform in the first place - their unwavering belief in the idea of America.

Absolutely. That's going to be a priority.

But, when it's over, what will unify us as Democrats and what must unify us as Americans is an unyielding commitment to the men and women who have served this nation.

The brave Americans who fight today believe deeply in this country.

It requires standing shoulder-to-shoulder with our veterans and their families after the guns fall silent and the cameras are turned off.

I have great respect for John McCain's service to this country.

They serve and fight and bleed together out of loyalty not just to a place on a map or a certain kind of people, but to a set of ideals that we have been striving for since the first shots rang out at Lexington and Concord.

There is no reason we shouldn't pass the 21st century G.I. Bill. John McCain is one of the few senators of either party who opposed this bill, because he thinks it's too generous. He thinks it's too generous. I could not disagree with him…

So to the mothers in my life and to the mothers in all our lives, Happy Mother's Day.

Over the next six months, Vote for Change is going to bring new participants into the process, adding scores of new voices to this critical dialogue about our future.

I am proud to have Congressman Mitchell's support.