Yes We Can

Delivered: January 8, 2008, Nashua, New Hampshire

Introduction

Thank you, New Hampshire. I love you back. Thank you. Thank you.

Well, thank you so much. I am still fired up and ready to go.

Thank you. Thank you so much.

Well, first of all, I want to congratulate Senator Clinton on a hard-fought victory here in New Hampshire. She did an excellent job. Give her a big round of applause.

The Journey Continues

You know, they said this day would never come. They said our sights were set too high. They said this country was too divided, too disillusioned to ever come together around a common purpose.

But on this January night, at this defining moment in history, you have done what the cynics said we couldn't do.

You have done what the state of New Hampshire can do in five days. You have done what America can do in this new year, 2008. In lines that stretched around schools and churches, in small towns and in big cities, you came together as Democrats, Republicans and independents, to stand up and say that we are one nation. We are one people. And our time for change has come.

We Are the Change

You said the time has come to move beyond the bitterness and pettiness and anger that's consumed Washington; to end the political strategy that's been all about division, and instead make it about addition -- to build a coalition for change that stretches through red states and blue states.

Because that's how we'll win in November, and that's how we'll finally meet the challenges that we face as a nation.

We are choosing hope over fear. We're choosing unity over division, and sending a powerful message that change is coming to America.

Yes We Can

You said the time has come to tell the lobbyists who think their money and their influence speak louder than our voices that they don't own this government -- we do. And we are here to take it back.

The time has come for a president who will be honest about the choices and the challenges we face, who will listen to you and learn from you, even when we disagree, who won't just tell you what you want to hear, but what you need to know.

And in New Hampshire, if you give me the same chance that Iowa gave me, then I will be that president for America.

I'll be a president who finally makes health care affordable and available to every single American, the same way I expanded health care in Illinois, by bringing Democrats and Republicans together to get the job done.

I'll be a president who ends the tax breaks for companies that ship our jobs overseas and put a middle-class tax cut in the pockets of working Americans who deserve it.

I'll be a president who harnesses the ingenuity of farmers and scientists and entrepreneurs to free this nation from the tyranny of oil once and for all.

And I'll be a president who ends this war in Iraq and finally brings our troops home, who restores our moral standing, who understands that 9/11 is not a way to scare up votes, but a challenge that should unite America and the world against the common threats of the 21st century: terrorism and nuclear weapons, climate change and poverty, genocide and disease.

The Power of Hope

Tonight, we are one step closer to that vision of America because of what you did here in New Hampshire. For in this place, at this time, ordinary men and women -- students and soldiers, farmers and teachers, nurses and janitors -- came together to say that in America, our destiny is not written for us, but by us. So tomorrow, we go on to South Carolina and Nevada, to Florida and Michigan, and then we head to Super Tuesday with the same message we had when we started.

We are still firing up and ready to go.

Thank you, New Hampshire. I love you. Thank you.

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Speech Analysis

Historical Context: Delivered after losing the New Hampshire primary to Hillary Clinton, this speech transformed a defeat into a moment of inspiration. The phrase "Yes We Can" became the campaign's rallying cry.

Key Techniques:

• Repetition: "Yes we can" creates powerful rhythm
• Inclusive Language: "We" appears 67 times
• Contrast: Hope vs. fear, unity vs. division
• Specific Promises: Concrete policy commitments
• Emotional Appeal: Balances inspiration with substance
• Turning Defeat into Victory: Reframes loss as progress

Impact: The speech revitalized Obama's campaign and the "Yes We Can" phrase became iconic. Will.i.am created a viral music video based on the speech, viewed over 26 million times.

Lessons for Speakers:

1. Turn setbacks into opportunities - Reframe defeats
2. Use repetition strategically - Create memorable phrases
3. Be specific about vision - Don't just inspire, inform
4. Acknowledge reality - Don't ignore the situation
5. Unite diverse groups - Speak to everyone
6. End with energy - Leave audience motivated

Modern Applications:

• Rallying teams after setbacks
• Launching movements or campaigns
• Building coalitions across differences
• Inspiring action during challenges
• Maintaining momentum through difficulties

Legacy: This speech demonstrated Obama's ability to inspire and unite. The "Yes We Can" message helped him win the presidency and became a symbol of hope and change that resonated globally.

Key Quotes

"We are choosing hope over fear. We're choosing unity over division."

"In America, our destiny is not written for us, but by us."

"Yes we can."

"We are one nation. We are one people. And our time for change has come."

Related Resources

• JFK - "Inaugural Address"
• Persuasive Speaking Mastery
• Motivational Speaking Guide