My Friend,
Today I formally began my campaign for President of the United States. At a beautiful park in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, I promised the American people that I would do everything I could to provide the leadership and experience to guide our nation through these difficult times.
We've begun this campaign season earlier than many Americans prefer. So soon after our last contentious election, our differences are again sure to be sharpened and exaggerated. That's the nature of free elections. But even in the heat of a campaign, we shouldn't lose sight that much more defines us than our partisanship; much more unites us than divides us. We have common purposes and common challenges, and we live in momentous times. This election should be about big things, not small ones. Ours are not red state or blue state problems. They are national and global.
Please understand that this is not a campaign of one. I am asking you to join me in the fight and to meet, head on, the challenges facing our nation. If you don't believe that the problems facing the country need to be addressed, then I am probably not your candidate. But if you believe our country has an opportunity and obligation to write another chapter of American greatness, I invite you to join our cause.
We face formidable challenges, but I'm not afraid of them. I'm prepared for them. I'm not the youngest candidate, but I am the most experienced. I know how the military works, what it can do, what it can do better, and what it should not do. I know how Congress works, and how to make it work for the country and not just the re-election of its members. I know how the world works. I know the good and the evil in it. I know how to work with leaders who share our dreams of a freer, safer and more prosperous world, and how to stand up to those who don't. I know how to fight and how to make peace. I know who I am and what I want to do.
So I come to you asking for your financial help and hope that you will join with over 51,000 other Americans who have invested in our campaign and our vision for America.
This is a fight we can win if we do it together. I am enormously grateful for you support.
Sincerely,
John McCain
PS. I don't seek the office out of a sense of entitlement. I owe America more than she has ever owed me. Thirty-four years ago, I came home from an extended absence abroad. While I was away, I fell in love with my country. I learned that's what good for America, is good enough for me. I have been an imperfect servant of my country ever since, in uniform and in office, in war and peace. I have never lived a single day, in good times or in bad, that I haven't thanked God for the privilege.
I will do the best job I can. Join with me as a part of this campaign...together we can change history.
