奥巴马芝加哥获胜演讲

《奥巴马芝加哥获胜演讲》由会员上传分享，免费在线阅读，更多相关内容在教育资源-天天文库。

Hello,Chicago!IfthereisanyoneouttherewhostilldoubtsthatAmericaisaplacewhereallthingsarepossible;whostillwondersifthedreamofourfoundersisaliveinourtime;whostillquestionsthepowerofourdemocracy,tonightisyouranswer.如果还有人质疑在美国是否真的一切皆有可能，怀疑美国奠基者的梦想在我们这个时代是否依然鲜活，怀疑我们民主制度的力量是否依然强大，那么今晚一切都有了答案。It'stheanswertoldbylinesthatstretchedaroundschoolsandchurchesinnumbersthisnationhasneverseen;bypeoplewhowaitedthreehoursandfourhours,manyfortheveryfirsttimeintheirlives,becausetheybelievedthatthistimemustbedifferent;thattheirvoicecouldbethatdifference.学校和教堂前排起的长队给了我们答案。排队的人数之多，在美国历史上前所未有。为了投票，他们等了长达三、四个小时。许多人一生中第一次投票，因为他们认为这一次肯定会不一样，认定他们的声音能让这次大选有别于以往。It'stheanswerspokenbyyoungandold,richandpoor,DemocratandRepublican,black,white,Hispanic,Asian,NativeAmerican,gay,straight,disabledandnotdisabled—Americanswhosentamessagetotheworldthatwehaveneverbeenjustacollectionofindividualsoracollectionofredstatesandbluestates;weare,andalwayswillbe,theUnitedStatesofAmerica.无论年龄，无论贫富，无论民主党人或共和党人，无论黑人、白人，无论拉美裔、亚裔、印地安人,无论同性恋、异性恋，无论残障人、健全人，所有的人，他们向全世界喊出了同一个声音：那就是我们永远都不是一个松散的集体，“红州”与“蓝州”的之间也没有明显的界限，我们是美利坚合众国，永远都是！ It'stheanswerthatledthosewhohavebeentoldforsolongbysomanytobecynical,andfearful,anddoubtfulofwhatwecanachievetoputtheirhandsonthearcofhistoryandbenditoncemoretowardthehopeofabetterday.　长久以来，很多人一再受到告诫：要对我们所取得的成绩极尽讽刺、担忧和怀疑之能事。但这个答案能让这些人伸出手来把握历史，再次让它向着美好的明天延伸　It'sbeenalongtimecoming,buttonight,becauseofwhatwedidonthisday,inthiselection,atthisdefiningmoment,changehascometoAmerica.已经过去了这么长时间，但是今天，由于我们在今天，在这场大选，在这个具有决定性的时刻所做的，美国迎来了变革。Alittlebitearlierthisevening.IreceivedanextraordinarilygraciouscallfromSen.McCain.Sen.McCainfoughtlongandhardinthiscampaign,andhe'sfoughtevenlongerandharderforthecountryheloves.HehasenduredsacrificesforAmericathatmostofuscannotbegintoimagine,Wearebetteroffforthe servicerenderedbythisbraveandselflessleader.IcongratulatehimIcongratulateGovernorPalinforallthey‘veachieved,and Ilookforwardtoworkingwiththemtorenewthisnation'spromiseinthemonthsahead.刚才，麦凯恩参议员很有风度地 给我打了个电话。在这次竞选中，他的努力持久而艰巨。为了这个他挚爱的国家，他的努力更持久、更艰巨。他为美国的奉献超出绝大多数人的想象。他是一位勇敢无私的领袖，有了他的奉献，我们的生活才更美好。我对他和佩林州长的成绩表示祝贺。同时，我也期待着与他们共同努力，再续美国辉煌。 Iwanttothankmypartnerinthisjourney,amanwhocampaignedfromhisheartandspokeforthemenandwomenhe grewupwithonthestreetsofScrantonandrodewithonthattrainhometoDelaware,thevice-president-electoftheUnitedStates,JoeBiden.我要感谢这次旅程中的伙伴——当选副总统乔?拜登。为了与他一起在斯克兰顿市街头长大、一起坐火车返回特拉华州的人们，拜登全心全意地竟选，他代表了这些普通人的声音。Iwouldnotbestandingheretonightwithouttheunyieldingsupportofmybestfriendforthelast16years,therockofourfamilyandtheloveofmylife,thenation'snextfirstlady,MichelleObama.SashaandMalia,Iloveyoubothmorethenyoucanimagine.Andyouhaveearnedthenewpuppythat'scomingwithustotheWhiteHouse.Andwhileshe'snolongerwithus,Iknowmygrandmotheriswatching,alongwiththefamilythatmademewhoIam.Imissthemtonight,Iknowthatmydebttothemisbeyondmeasure.TomysisterMayamysisterAlmaallmyotherbrothersandsisters，thankyousomuchforallthesupportyou'vegivenme.Iamgratefultothem.我要感谢下一位第一夫人米歇尔?奥巴马。她是我家的中流砥柱，是我生命中的最爱。没有她在过去16年来的坚定支持，今晚我就不可能站在这里。我要感谢两个女儿萨沙和玛丽娅，我太爱你们两个了，你们将得到一条新的小狗，它将与我们一起入住白宫。我还要感谢已去世的外婆，我知道此刻她正在天上注视着我。她与 我的家人一起造就了今天的我。今夜我思念他们,谢谢我的妹妹玛雅阿尔玛以及我的所有的兄弟姐妹，谢谢你们对我的支持与付出，对此我十分感谢 Tomycampaignmanager,DavidPlouffe，theunsungherocfthiscampaignwhobuiltthebest--thebestpoliticalcampaign.IthinkinthishistoryoftheUnitedStatesofAmerica.TomychiefstrategistDavidAxelrodwho'sbeenapartnerwithmeeverystepoftheway.Tothebestcampaignteameverassembledinthehistoryofpolitics—youmadethishappen,andIamforevergratefulforwhatyou'vesacrificedtogetitdone.我要感谢我的竞选经理大卫?普鲁夫，感谢首席策划师大卫?阿克塞罗德以及整个竞选团队，他们是政治史上最优秀的竞选团队。你们成就了今夜，我永远感谢你们为今夜所付出的一切。Butaboveall,Iwillneverforgetwhothisvictorytrulybelongsto—itbelongstoyou.itbelongstoyou.但最重要的是，我将永远不会忘记这场胜利真正属于谁---是你们！Iwasneverthelikeliestcandidateforthisoffice.Wedidn'tstartwithmuchmoneyormanyendorsements.OurcampaignwasnothatchedinthehallsofWashington—itbeganinthebackyardsofDesMoinesandthelivingroomsofConcordandthefrontporchesofCharleston.我从来不是最有希望的候选人。 起初，我们的资金不多，赞助人也不多。我们的竞选并非始于华盛顿的华丽大厅，而是起于德莫奈地区某家的后院、康科德地区的某家客厅、查尔斯顿地区的某家前廊。 Itwasbuiltbyworkingmenandwomenwhodugintowhat littlesavingstheyhadtogive$5and$10and$20tothecause.Itgrewstrengthfromtheyoungpeoplewhorejectedthemythoftheirgeneration'sapathy;wholefttheirhomesandtheirfamiliesforjobsthatofferedlittlepayandlesssleep;Itdrewstrengthfromthenot-so-youngpeoplewhobravedthebittercoldandscorchingheattoknockonthedoorsofperfectstrangers;fromthemillionsofAmericanswhovolunteeredand organized,andprovedthatmorethantwocenturieslater,agovernmentofthepeople,bythepeopleandforthepeoplehasnotperishedfromthisearth.Thisisyourvictory.劳动大众从自己的微薄积蓄中掏出5美元、10美元、20美元，拿来捐助我们的事业。年轻人证明了他们绝非所谓“冷漠的一代”。他们远离家乡和亲人，拿着微薄的报酬，起早摸黑地助选。上了年纪的人也顶着严寒酷暑，敲开陌生人的家门助选。无数美国人自愿组织起来，充当自愿者。正是这些人壮大了我们的声势。他们的行动证明了在两百多年以后，民有、民治、民享的政府并未从地球上消失。这是你们的胜利。Iknowyoudidn'tdothisjusttowinanelection,andIknowyoudidn'tdoitforme.Youdiditbecauseyouunderstandtheenormityofthetaskthatliesahead.Forevenaswecelebratetonight,weknowthechallengesthattomorrowwillbringarethegreatestofourlifetime—twowars,aplanetinperil,theworstfinancialcrisisinacentury.Evenaswestandheretonight,weknowtherearebraveAmericanswakingupinthedesertsofIraqandthemountainsofAfghanistantorisktheirlivesforus.Therearemothersandfatherswhowilllieawakeaftertheirchildrenfallasleepandwonderhowthey'llmakethemortgage,orpaytheirdoctor'sbills,orsaveenoughforcollege.Thereisnewenergytoharnessandnewjobstobecreated;newschools tobuildandthreatstomeetandalliancestorepair.你们这样做，并不只是为了赢得一场大选，更不是为了我个人。你们这样做，是因为你们清楚未来的任务有多么艰巨。今晚我们在欢庆，明天我们就将面对一生之中最为严峻的挑战－－两场战争、一个充满危险的星球，还有百年一遇的金融危机。今晚我们在这里庆祝，但我们知道在伊拉克的沙漠里，在阿富汗的群山中，许许多多勇敢的美国人醒来后就将为了我们而面临生命危险。许许多多的父母会在孩子熟睡后仍难以入眠，他们正在为月供、医药费，孩子今后的大学费用而发愁。我们需要开发新能源，创造就业机会，建造新学校，迎接挑战和威胁，并修复与盟国的关系。Theroadaheadwillbelong.Ourclimbwillbesteep.Wemaynotgetthereinoneyear,orevenoneterm,butAmerica—IhaveneverbeenmorehopefulthanIamtonightthatwewillgetthere.Ipromiseyou:Weasapeoplewillgetthere.前方道路还很漫长，任务艰巨。一年之内，甚至一届总统任期之内，我们可能都无法完成这些任务。但我从未像今晚这样对美国满怀希望，我相信我们会实现这个目标。我向你们承诺－－我们美利坚民族将实现这一目标！Therewillbesetbacksandfalsestarts.Therearemanywhowon'tagreewitheverydecisionorpolicyImakeaspresident,andweknowthatgovernmentcan'tsolveeveryproblem.ButIwillalwaysbehonestwithyouaboutthechallengesweface.Iwilllistentoyou,especiallywhenwedisagree.And,aboveall,Iwillaskyoujoinintheworkofremakingthisnationtheonlywayit'sbeendoneinAmericafor221years—blockbyblock,brickbybrick,callusedhandbycallusedhand. 我们会遇到挫折，会出师不利，会有许多人不认同我的某一项决定或政策。政府并不能解决所有问题，但我会向你们坦陈我们所面临的挑战。我会聆听你们的意见，尤其是在我们意见相左之时。最重要的是，我会让你们一起重建这个国家。用自己的双手，从一砖一瓦做起。这是美国立国221年以来的前进方式，也是惟一的方式。Whatbegan21monthsagointhedepthsofwintermustnotendonthisautumnnight.Thisvictoryaloneisnotthechangeweseek—itisonlythechanceforustomakethatchange.Andthatcannothappenifwegobacktothewaythingswere.Itcannothappenwithoutyou.21个月前那个隆冬所开始的一切，绝不应在这一个秋夜结束。我们所寻求的变革并不只是赢得大选，这只是给变革提供了一个机会。假如我们照老路子办事，就没有变革；没有你们，就没有变革。Soletussummonanewspiritofpatriotism;ofserviceandresponsibilitywhereeachofusresolvestopitchinandworkharderandlookafternotonlyourselves,buteachother.Letusrememberthatifthisfinancialcrisistaughtusanything,it'sthatwecannothaveathrivingWallStreetwhileMainStreetsuffers.Inthiscountry,weriseorfallasonenation—asonepeople.让我们重新发扬爱国精神，树立崭新的服务意识、责任感，每个人下定决心，一起努力工作，彼此关爱；让我们牢记这场金融危机带来的教训：不能允许商业街挣扎的同时却让华尔街繁荣。在这个国家，我们作为同一个民族，同生死共存亡。Letusresistthetemptationtofallbackonthesamepartisanshipandpettinessandimmaturitythathaspoisonedourpoliticsforsolong.LetusrememberthatitwasamanfromthisstatewhofirstcarriedthebanneroftheRepublicanPartytotheWhiteHouse—apartyfoundedonthevaluesofself-reliance,individuallibertyandnationalunity.Thosearevaluesweallshare,andwhiletheDemocraticPartyhaswonagreatvictorytonight,wedosowithameasureofhumilityanddeterminationtohealthedividesthathaveheldbackourprogress. 党派之争、琐碎幼稚，长期以来这些东西荼毒了我们的政坛。让我们牢记，当来自伊利诺伊州的一位先生首次将共和党大旗扛进白宫时，伴随着他的是自强自立、个人自由、国家统一的共和党建党理念。这也是我们所有人都珍视的理念。虽然民主党今晚大胜，但我们态度谦卑，并决心弥合阻碍我们进步的分歧。AsLincolnsaidtoanationfarmoredividedthanours,"Wearenotenemies,butfriends...Thoughpassionmayhavestrained,itmustnotbreakourbondsofaffection."And,tothoseAmericanswhosesupportIhaveyettoearn,Imaynothavewonyourvote,butIhearyourvoices,Ineedyourhelp,andIwillbeyourpresident,too.当年,林肯面对的是一个远比目前更为分裂的国家。他说：“我们不是敌人，而是朋友……虽然激情可能不再，但是我们的感情纽带不会割断。”对于那些现在并不支持我的美国人，我想说，虽然我没有赢得你们的选票，但我听到了你们的声音，我需要你们的帮助，我也将是你们的总统。Andtoallthosewatchingtonightfrombeyondourshores,fromparliamentsandpalacestothosewhoarehuddledaroundradiosintheforgottencornersofourworld—ourstoriesaresingular,butourdestinyisshared,andanewdawnofAmericanleadershipisathand.Tothosewhowouldtearthisworlddown:Wewilldefeatyou.Tothosewhoseekpeaceandsecurity:Wesupportyou.AndtoallthosewhohavewonderedifAmerica'sbeaconstillburnsasbright:Tonight,weprovedoncemorethatthetruestrengthofournationcomesnotfromthemightofourarmsorthescaleofourwealth,butfromtheenduringpowerofourideals:democracy,liberty,opportunityandunyieldinghope.对于关注今夜结果的国际人士，不管他们是在国会、皇宫关注，还是在荒僻地带收听电台，我们的态度是：我们美国人的经历各有不同，但我们的命运相关，新的美国领袖诞生了。对于想毁灭这个世界的人们，我们必将击败你们。对于追求和平和安全的人们，我们将支持你们。对于怀疑美国这盏灯塔是否依然明亮的人们，今天晚上我们已再次证明：美国的真正力量来源并非军事威力或财富规模，而是我们理想的恒久力量：民主、自由、机会和不屈的希望。ForthatisthetruegeniusofAmerica—thatAmericacan change.Ourunioncanbeperfected.Andwhatwehavealreadyachievedgivesushopeforwhatwecanandmustachievetomorrow.美国能够变革，这才是美国真正的精髓。我们的联邦会不断完善。我们已经取得的成就，将为我们将来能够并且必须取得的成就增添希望。Thiselectionhadmanyfirstsandmanystoriesthatwillbetoldforgenerations.Butonethat'sonmymindtonightisaboutawomanwhocastherballotinAtlanta.She'salotlikethemillionsofotherswhostoodinlinetomaketheirvoiceheardinthiselection,exceptforonething:AnnNixonCooperis106yearsold.这次大选创造了多项“第一”，诞生了很多将流芳后世的故事，但今晚令我最为难忘的却是一位在亚特兰大投票的妇女：安妮?库波尔。她和无数排队等候投票的选民没有什么差别，唯一的不同是她高龄106岁。Shewasbornjustagenerationpastslavery;atimewhentherewerenocarsontheroadorplanesinthesky;whensomeonelikehercouldn'tvotefortworeasons—becauseshewasawomanandbecauseofthecolorofherskin.在她出生的那个时代，黑奴制刚刚废除。那时路上没有汽车，天上没有飞机。当时像她这样的人由于两个原因不能投票－－一第一因为她是女性，第二个原因是她的肤色。Andtonight,Ithinkaboutallthatshe'sseenthroughouthercenturyinAmerica—theheartacheandthehope;thestruggleandtheprogress;thetimesweweretoldthatwecan'tandthepeoplewhopressedonwiththatAmericancreed:Yes,wecan.今天晚上，我想到了安妮在美国过去一百年间的种种经历：心痛和希望，挣扎和进步，那些我们被告知我们办不到的年代，以及我们现在这个年代。现在，我们坚信美国式信念──是的，我们能！Atatimewhenwomen'svoicesweresilencedandtheirhopesdismissed,shelivedtoseethemstandupandspeakoutandreachfortheballot.Yes,we can.在那个年代，妇女的声音被压制，她们的希望被剥夺。但安妮活到了今天，看到妇女们站起来了，可以大声发表意见了，有选举权了。是的，我们能。WhentherewasdespairintheDustBowlanddepressionacrosstheland,shesawanationconquerfearitselfwithaNewDeal,newjobsandanewsenseofcommonpurpose.Yes,wecan.安妮经历了上世纪三十年代的大萧条。农田荒芜，绝望笼罩美国大地。她看到了美国以新政、新的就业机会以及崭新的共同追求战胜了恐慌。是的，我们能。Whenthebombsfellonourharborandtyrannythreatenedtheworld,shewastheretowitnessagenerationrisetogreatnessandademocracywassaved.Yes,wecan.二战时期，炸弹袭击我们的海港，全世界受到独裁专制威胁，安妮见证了一代美国人的英雄本色，他们捍卫了民主。是的，我们能。ShewasthereforthebusesinMontgomery,thehosesinBirmingham,abridgeinSelmaandapreacherfromAtlantawhotoldapeoplethat"WeShallOvercome."Yes,wecan.安妮经历了蒙哥马利公交车事件、伯明翰黑人暴动事件、塞尔马血醒周末事件。来自亚特兰大的一位牧师告诉人们：我们终将胜利。是的，我们能。Amantoucheddownonthemoon,awallcamedowninBerlin,aworldwasconnectedbyourownscienceandimagination.Andthisyear,inthiselection,shetouchedherfingertoascreenandcasthervote,becauseafter106yearsinAmerica,throughthebestoftimesandthedarkestofhours,sheknowshowAmericacanchange.Yes,wecan.人类登上了月球、柏林墙倒下了，科学和想像把世界连成了一块。今年，在这次选举中，安妮的手指轻触电子屏幕，投下自己的一票。她在美国生活了106年，其间有最美好的时光，也有最黑暗的时刻，她知道美国能够变革。是的，我们能。America,wehavecomesofar.Wehaveseensomuch.Butthereissomuchmoretodo.Sotonight,letusaskourselves:Ifourchildrenshouldlivetoseethenextcentury;ifmydaughtersshouldbesoluckytoliveaslongasAnnNixonCooper,whatchangewilltheysee?Whatprogresswillwehave made?美利坚，我们已经一路走来，我们已经看到了那么多变化，但我们仍有很多事情要做。今夜，让我们问自己这样一个问题：假如我们的孩子能够活到下一个世纪，假如我的女儿们有幸与安妮一样长寿，她们将会看到怎样的改变？我们又取得了怎样的进步？Thisisourchancetoanswerthatcall.Thisisourmoment.Thisisourtime—toputourpeoplebacktoworkandopendoorsofopportunityforourkids;torestoreprosperityandpromotethecauseofpeace;toreclaimtheAmericanDreamandreaffirmthatfundamentaltruththatoutofmany,weareone;thatwhilewebreathe,wehope,andwherewearemetwithcynicism,anddoubt,andthosewhotellusthatwecan't,wewillrespondwiththattimelesscreedthatsumsupthespiritofapeople:Yes,wecan.现在，我们获得了回答这个问题的机会。这是我们的时刻，我们的时代。让我们的人民重新就业，为我们的孩子打开机会的大门；恢复繁荣，促进和平；让美国梦重放光芒，再证这一根本性真理，那就是：团结一致，众志成城；一息尚存，希望就在；倘若有人嘲讽和怀疑，说我们不能，我们就以这一永恒信条回应，因为它凝聚了整个民族的精神——是的，我们能！Thankyou,Godblessyou,andmayGodblesstheUnitedStatesofAmerica.谢谢大家！愿上帝保佑你们，保佑美利坚合众国。Hello,Chicago!IfthereisanyoneouttherewhostilldoubtsthatAmericaisaplacewhereallthingsarepossible;whostillwondersifthedreamofourfoundersisaliveinourtime;whostillquestionsthepowerofourdemocracy,tonightisyouranswer.It'stheanswertoldbylinesthatstretchedaroundschoolsandchurchesinnumbersthisnationhasneverseen;bypeoplewhowaitedthreehoursandfourhours,manyfortheveryfirsttimeintheirlives,becausetheybelievedthatthistime mustbedifferent;thattheirvoicecouldbethatdifference.It'stheanswerspokenbyyoungandold,richandpoor,DemocratandRepublican,black,white,Latino,Asian,NativeAmerican,gay,straight,disabledandnotdisabled—Americanswhosentamessagetotheworldthatwehaveneverbeenacollectionofredstatesandbluestates;weare,andalwayswillbe,theUnitedStatesofAmerica.It'stheanswerthatledthosewhohavebeentoldforsolongbysomanytobecynical,andfearful,anddoubtfulofwhatwecanachievetoputtheirhandsonthearcofhistoryandbenditoncemoretowardthehopeofabetterday.It'sbeenalongtimecoming,buttonight,becauseofwhatwedidonthisday,inthiselection,atthisdefiningmoment,changehascometoAmerica.IjustreceivedaverygraciouscallfromSen.McCain.Hefoughtlongandhardinthiscampaign,andhe'sfoughtevenlongerandharderforthecountryheloves.HehasenduredsacrificesforAmericathatmostofuscannotbegintoimagine,andwearebetterofffortheservicerenderedbythisbraveandselflessleader.IcongratulatehimandGov.Palinforalltheyhaveachieved,andIlookforwardtoworkingwiththemtorenewthisnation'spromiseinthemonthsahead.Iwanttothankmypartnerinthisjourney,amanwhocampaignedfromhisheartandspokeforthemenandwomenhegrewupwithonthestreetsofScrantonandrodewithonthattrainhometoDelaware,thevice-president-electoftheUnitedStates,JoeBiden.Iwouldnotbestandingheretonightwithouttheunyieldingsupportofmybestfriendforthelast16years,therockofourfamilyandtheloveofmylife,ournation'snextfirstlady,MichelleObama.SashaandMalia,Iloveyoubothsomuch,andyouhaveearnedthenewpuppythat'scomingwithustotheWhiteHouse.Andwhileshe'snolongerwithus,Iknowmy grandmotheriswatching,alongwiththefamilythatmademewhoIam.Imissthemtonight,andknowthatmydebttothemisbeyondmeasure.Tomycampaignmanager,DavidPlouffe;mychiefstrategist,DavidAxelrod;andthebestcampaignteameverassembledinthehistoryofpolitics—youmadethishappen,andIamforevergratefulforwhatyou'vesacrificedtogetitdoneButaboveall,Iwillneverforgetwhothisvictorytrulybelongsto—itbelongstoyou.Iwasneverthelikeliestcandidateforthisoffice.Wedidn'tstartwithmuchmoneyormanyendorsements.OurcampaignwasnothatchedinthehallsofWashington—itbeganinthebackyardsofDesMoinesandthelivingroomsofConcordandthefrontporchesofCharleston.Itwasbuiltbyworkingmenandwomenwhodugintowhatlittlesavingstheyhadtogive$5and$10and$20tothiscause.Itgrewstrengthfromtheyoungpeoplewhorejectedthemythoftheirgeneration'sapathy;wholefttheirhomesandtheirfamiliesforjobsthatofferedlittlepayandlesssleep;fromthenot-so-youngpeoplewhobravedthebittercoldandscorchingheattoknockonthedoorsofperfectstrangers;fromthemillionsofAmericanswhovolunteeredandorganized,andprovedthatmorethantwocenturieslater,agovernmentofthepeople,bythepeopleandforthepeoplehasnotperishedfromthisearth.Thisisyourvictory.Iknowyoudidn'tdothisjusttowinanelection,andIknowyoudidn'tdoitforme.Youdiditbecauseyouunderstandtheenormityofthetaskthatliesahead.Forevenaswecelebratetonight,weknowthechallengesthattomorrowwillbringarethegreatestofourlifetime—twowars,aplanetinperil,theworstfinancialcrisisinacentury.Evenaswestandheretonight,weknowtherearebraveAmericanswakingupinthedesertsofIraqandthemountainsof Afghanistantorisktheirlivesforus.Therearemothersandfatherswhowilllieawakeaftertheirchildrenfallasleepandwonderhowthey'llmakethemortgage,orpaytheirdoctor'sbills,orsaveenoughforcollege.Thereisnewenergytoharnessandnewjobstobecreated;newschoolstobuildandthreatstomeetandalliancestorepair.Theroadaheadwillbelong.Ourclimbwillbesteep.Wemaynotgetthereinoneyear,orevenoneterm,butAmerica—IhaveneverbeenmorehopefulthanIamtonightthatwewillgetthere.Ipromiseyou:Weasapeoplewillgetthere.Therewillbesetbacksandfalsestarts.Therearemanywhowon'tagreewitheverydecisionorpolicyImakeaspresident,andweknowthatgovernmentcan'tsolveeveryproblem.ButIwillalwaysbehonestwithyouaboutthechallengesweface.Iwilllistentoyou,especiallywhenwedisagree.And,aboveall,Iwillaskyoujoinintheworkofremakingthisnationtheonlywayit'sbeendoneinAmericafor221years—blockbyblock,brickbybrick,callusedhandbycallusedhand.Whatbegan21monthsagointhedepthsofwintermustnotendonthisautumnnight.Thisvictoryaloneisnotthechangeweseek—itisonlythechanceforustomakethatchange.Andthatcannothappenifwegobacktothewaythingswere.Itcannothappenwithoutyou.Soletussummonanewspiritofpatriotism;ofserviceandresponsibilitywhereeachofusresolvestopitchinandworkharderandlookafternotonlyourselves,buteachother.Letusrememberthatifthisfinancialcrisistaughtusanything,it'sthatwecannothaveathrivingWallStreetwhileMainStreetsuffers.Inthiscountry,weriseorfallasonenation—asonepeople.Letusresistthetemptationtofallbackonthesamepartisanshipandpettinessandimmaturitythathaspoisonedourpoliticsforsolong.Letus rememberthatitwasamanfromthisstatewhofirstcarriedthebanneroftheRepublicanPartytotheWhiteHouse—apartyfoundedonthevaluesofself-reliance,individuallibertyandnationalunity.Thosearevaluesweallshare,andwhiletheDemocraticPartyhaswonagreatvictorytonight,wedosowithameasureofhumilityanddeterminationtohealthedividesthathaveheldbackourprogress.AsLincolnsaidtoanationfarmoredividedthanours,"Wearenotenemies,butfriends...Thoughpassionmayhavestrained,itmustnotbreakourbondsofaffection."And,tothoseAmericanswhosesupportIhaveyettoearn,Imaynothavewonyourvote,butIhearyourvoices,Ineedyourhelp,andIwillbeyourpresident,too.Andtoallthosewatchingtonightfrombeyondourshores,fromparliamentsandpalacestothosewhoarehuddledaroundradiosintheforgottencornersofourworld—ourstoriesaresingular,butourdestinyisshared,andanewdawnofAmericanleadershipisathand.Tothosewhowouldtearthisworlddown:Wewilldefeatyou.Tothosewhoseekpeaceandsecurity:Wesupportyou.AndtoallthosewhohavewonderedifAmerica'sbeaconstillburnsasbright:Tonight,weprovedoncemorethatthetruestrengthofournationcomesnotfromthemightofourarmsorthescaleofourwealth,butfromtheenduringpowerofourideals:democracy,liberty,opportunityandunyieldinghope.ForthatisthetruegeniusofAmerica—thatAmericacanchange.Ourunioncanbeperfected.Andwhatwehavealreadyachievedgivesushopeforwhatwecanandmustachievetomorrow.Thiselectionhadmanyfirstsandmanystoriesthatwillbetoldforgenerations.Butonethat'sonmymindtonightisaboutawomanwhocastherballotinAtlanta.She'salotlikethemillionsofotherswhostoodinlinetomaketheirvoiceheardin thiselection,exceptforonething:AnnNixonCooperis106yearsold.Shewasbornjustagenerationpastslavery;atimewhentherewerenocarsontheroadorplanesinthesky;whensomeonelikehercouldn'tvotefortworeasons—becauseshewasawomanandbecauseofthecolorofherskin.Andtonight,Ithinkaboutallthatshe'sseenthroughouthercenturyinAmerica—theheartacheandthehope;thestruggleandtheprogress;thetimesweweretoldthatwecan'tandthepeoplewhopressedonwiththatAmericancreed:Yes,wecan.Atatimewhenwomen'svoicesweresilencedandtheirhopesdismissed,shelivedtoseethemstandupandspeakoutandreachfortheballot.Yes,wecan.WhentherewasdespairintheDustBowlanddepressionacrosstheland,shesawanationconquerfearitselfwithaNewDeal,newjobsandanewsenseofcommonpurpose.Yes,wecan.Whenthebombsfellonourharborandtyrannythreatenedtheworld,shewastheretowitnessagenerationrisetogreatnessandademocracywassaved.Yes,wecan.ShewasthereforthebusesinMontgomery,thehosesinBirmingham,abridgeinSelmaandapreacherfromAtlantawhotoldapeoplethat"WeShallOvercome."Yes,wecan.Amantoucheddownonthemoon,awallcamedowninBerlin,aworldwasconnectedbyourownscienceandimagination.Andthisyear,inthiselection,shetouchedherfingertoascreenandcasthervote,becauseafter106yearsinAmerica,throughthebestoftimesandthedarkestofhours,sheknowshowAmericacanchange.Yes,wecan.America,wehavecomesofar.Wehaveseensomuch.Butthereissomuchmoretodo.Sotonight,letusaskourselves:Ifourchildrenshouldlivetoseethenextcentury;ifmydaughtersshouldbesoluckytoliveaslongasAnnNixonCooper,whatchangewilltheysee? Whatprogresswillwehavemade?Thisisourchancetoanswerthatcall.Thisisourmoment.Thisisourtime—toputourpeoplebacktoworkandopendoorsofopportunityforourkids;torestoreprosperityandpromotethecauseofpeace;toreclaimtheAmericanDreamandreaffirmthatfundamentaltruththatoutofmany,weareone;thatwhilewebreathe,wehope,andwherewearemetwithcynicism,anddoubt,andthosewhotellusthatwecan't,wewillrespondwiththattimelesscreedthatsumsupthespiritofapeople:Yes,wecan.Thankyou,Godblessyou,andmayGodblesstheUnitedStatesofAmerica.