and i would not be standing here tonight without the unyielding support of my best friend for the last 16 years, the rock of our family, the love of my life, the nation's next first lady, michelle obama. (cheers, applause.)
sasha and malia, i love you both more than you can imagine, and you have earned the new puppy that's coming with us to the white house. (cheers, applause.)
and while she's no longer with us, i know my grandmother is watching, along with the family that made me who i am. i mithem tonight, and know that my debt to them is beyond measure.
to my sister maya, my sister auma, all my other brothers and sisters, thank you so much for all the support that you've given to me. i am grateful to them. (cheers, applause.)
and to my campaign manager, david plouffe -- (cheers, applause) -- the unsung hero of this campaign who built the best -- (cheers) -- the best political campaign i think in the history of the united states of america -- (cheers, applause) -- to my chief strategist, david axelrod -- (cheers, applause) -- who has been a partner with me every step of the way, to the best campaign team ever assembled in the history of politics -- (cheers) -- you made this happen, and i am forever grateful for what you've sacrificed to get it done. (cheers, applause.)
but above all, i will never forget who this victory truly belongs to. it belongs to you. (cheers, applause.) it belongs to you. (cheers.)
i was never the likeliest candidate for this office. we didn't start with much money or many endorsements. our campaign was not hatched in the halls of washington; it began in the backyards of des moines and the living rooms of concord and the front porches of charleston. it was built by working men and women who dug into what little savings they had to give $5 and $10 and $20 to the cause. (cheers, applause.) it grew strength from the young people who rejected the myth of their generation's apathy -- (cheers) -- who left their homes and their families for jobs that offered little pay and lesleep. it drew strength from the not-so-young people who braved the bitter cold and scorching heat to knock on the doors of perfect strangers, and from the millions of americans who volunteered and organized, and proved that more than two centuries later a government of the people, by the people and for the people has not perished from the earth. this is your victory. (cheers, applause.)