Wonkette Rush Transcript: Kerry's Speech on Brown v. Board of Education Decision

As usual, we can't say this is verbatim. Please check against final transcript before quoting:

"Topeka. . . 100 years ago. . . 150 years ago. . . progress. . . Because of Brown. . . Isn't a measure of the progress that we've made that I have to pander to you, instead of just assuming you'll vote for me?. . . more to do. . . African-Americans. . . blacks. . . Latinos. . . more to do. . . first-hand experience. . . Watch me work in a reference to my Vietnam experience. . . . We are all Americans sacrificing for our country, praying to one God. . . except if you're not, which is fine. . . . Whether I take Edwards' lines or Deans', I am your nominee. And I deserve the black vote. . .

"Could I sound less enthusiastic and interesting? Let me try: I'll recite some statistics. . . .We have met the promise. . . Brown. . . We have not met the promise. . . jobs. . . health insurance. . . schools. . . We have not met the promise of Brown when I don't have a single person of color as a senior advisor. Oops. . . But here, I have some more statistics.

"Let me make this concrete issue as abstract as possible: We honor Brown by letting America be America. . . special extra hope. . . freedom. . . opportunities. . . trauma. . . memory. . . I've made my point several times over now. . . Let me try to obscure it more: For America to be America, America must be America for all of us."

Kerry marks desegregation anniversary with warning [Reuters]