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Obama tells daughters he ran for president for them, all children

2009-01-16 07:39:54

Thu Jan 15, 10:35 am ET

WASHINGTON (AFP) In an open letter to his young daughters, US president-elect

Barack Obama said Thursday that he entered the race for the White House

"because of what I want for you and for every child in this nation."

"When I was a young man, I thought life was all about me -- about how I'd make

my way in the world, become successful, and get the things I want. But then the

two of you came into my world," Obama said in the letter published in Parade

magazine, a weekend newspaper color supplement.

"I realized that my own life wouldn't count for much unless I was able to

ensure that you had every opportunity for happiness and fulfilment in yours. In

the end, girls, that's why I ran for President: because of what I want for you

and for every child in this nation," wrote the soon-to-be Dad-in-chief.

Obama's wish-list for children includes challenging and inspirational schools;

equal opportunity to go to university, regardless of their family's financial

standing; and well-paid jobs with benefits such as health care and a pension

plan that will allow them to "retire with dignity."

The 47-year-old father of Malia, 10, and Sasha, 7, said he wants to "push the

boundaries" of discovery to encourage the development of new technology and

inventions that improve lives and protect the environment.

And he spoke of his vision of a United States that has reached "beyond the

divides of race and region, gender and religion that keep us from seeing the

best in each other."

He would strive to send young Americans to war "only for a very good reason",

trying first to settle differences with other nations peacefully.

"These are the things I want for you -- to grow up in a world with no limits on

your dreams and no achievements beyond your reach, and to grow into

compassionate, committed women who will help build that world," wrote Obama.

"And I want every child to have the same chances to learn and dream and grow

and thrive that you girls have. That's why I've taken our family on this great

adventure," wrote Obama, who on Tuesday will move into the White House with his

two daughters and wife, Michelle.