»McAuliffe briefs GCI staff

Terry McAuliffe briefed the Boston GCI staff during the Democratic National Convention in July. Here is an excerpt of his remarks.

"You have all have been spectacular. I want to thank you for what you have done for this party. When this program was first presented to me, the idea of young people knocking on doors, standing on street corners, talking about the Democratic Party, talking about the nominee John Kerry, I said, "It's the greatest idea I've ever heard!"

This is my 7th presidential election. And I've got to tell you, this is the most important one we have ever faced. I always used to say, "Oh, this is the most important one," but folks, this one is indeed the most important, for all of the important issues. I don't have to tell you this; you people are the most aggressive force we have in the Democratic Party. I mean that, you're going door-to-door, you're knocking. You're doing what a lot of people don't want to, or can't do. You're knocking on doors, you're making that pitch, and you're asking for money. And it is spectacular.

I tell everybody that this election will be won or lost by one vote...one vote. So that one person you walk by on the street and you say, "Ahhh, should I stop?" And you let go...that one person could determine the election. That's who we've got to deal with this. We all have to get out there and fight.

But just remember, this election is not about you and not about me. There are millions of people in this country today who don't have an opportunity to be up here in this room. Millions of people can't feed their children, can't education their children, have no health care benefits at all. They are looking at us; we are the only hope they have this year between us and four more years of George Bush. And you just need to remember that every single day."