Dear Democrats:

For the past sixteen months, the Democratic Party has endured the longest and hardest-fought primary contest for the presidential nomination in its history. Many of us have given our convictions, our labor, and perhaps most of all, our emotions to this historic race. And after all the campaigning, the hours sacrificed to make calls, the spare cash donated, the weekends spent knocking on the doors of strangers, our nation has voted, and Barack Obama has emerged as our next nominee for president.

For the first time in the life of our great democracy, a woman and an African American were seriously poised to receive our nomination. Though it is a grave misfortune that we could only choose one, our Party has made history, and on November 4, we will make history again when we defeat John McCain and take back the White House.

With only five months until Americans head to the polls, we must quickly unite our party and rally behind our nominee. Senators Obama and Clinton have far much in common with each other than either do with Senator McCain. Though the primary race often sought to contrast the candidates as all primary contests do, those contrasts were never greater than the contrast they share together with the failed policies of the Bush Administration which John McCain will seek to perpetuate.

At the start their careers in public service, Senators Obama and Clinton vowed to help the neediest of Americans. Senator Obama worked as a community organizer in the Southside of Chicago and Senator Clinton worked at the Children's Defense Fund helping children and families. Their experiences on the ground level instilled in them fundamental values which distinguish them from John McCain and the Republicans. These values are reflected in their commitment to insuring healthcare for the sick, equal education opportunities for minorities and women, creating jobs and expanding the middle class, protecting our environment, and upholding our civil rights. On the important issues facing our country, Senators Obama and Clinton stand together, united to ensure the promise of our great nation is accessible to all Americans.

All of us remember the days of this race when the question "is America ready?" was often asked of both Hillary and Barack. On November 4, Barack Obama, with the help of grassroots activists like ourselves and voters across the nation, will prove that America is ready.

Cory Struble
President, College Democrats