Yet I also saw how our system operates. I saw a political and media establishment with seemingly no recognition of its sacred responsibility to facilitate the will of the people. The goal of that system is not democracy, but power; its operatives seek to damage the candidacy of anyone not a part of their club.
I persevered because I felt it was important. And with the incredible support of donors, volunteers and staff, by the final week of the primary campaign season we've received half a million votes.
The people who voted for me agree that humanitarian, not economic principles should order our society...
That democracy demands economic as well as social justice...
That learning to wage peace is as important as knowing how to wage war...
And the will of the people should not be drowned out by the will of an elite and powerful few.
I cannot adequately thank those who supported my campaign. I know in my heart we're a wave in an ocean of decency in this country – a massive sea of untapped goodness that will yet rise up and reach the shores of electoral power. I’ll continue to strive to serve that vision: the emergence of a coalition of decency that will overwhelm the indecencies of our degraded times and return us to our better selves.
May all the blessings I received on this campaign be returned to those who gave them to me, a thousand and a thousand times over. I will never forget the gift that you gave me. Together we planted seeds.
With love and gratitude,
