奥巴马演讲词英文
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奥巴马演讲中英文对照版Ladies and Gentlemen:女士们,先生们:Today is the 37th anniversary of Roe v. Wade, the Supreme Court decision that recognized the constitutional right toprivacy and dignity in a woman’s most personal decisions about her health, her family, and her future.今天是作出保障妇女在其个人健康,家庭以及未来的自由决定的宪法权利上所公认的Roe v. Wade法令37周年纪念日。
而且也更加温和、委婉地纪念; 在Roe法令37年期间,我们见证了一代年轻人在他们拥有控制自己生殖决策权的环境中长大。
事实上,今天的年轻人可能甚至连Roe以前的时代都不太记得。
但我们也不能忘记那些来之前我们的勇敢女性以及和他们一起奋战的勇敢男女,他们有勇气要求自己最私密的决定被视作一项基本的人权。
这也是我们今天聚集在此的原因--要重申这个基本真理,并再次致力于保护妇女在全世界的生殖权利以及机会,不管她们的收入或背景如何。
This moment should not be about politics, it should be about, as Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg reminded us, “the decision whether and when to bear a child” being in the hands of women themselves.这一刻不应是关于政治,而是,正如法官鲁丝·巴德·金斯伯格曾提醒过的,“是否及何时有孩子”这项决定应在女性自己手中。
而且,虽然保护妇女权利和自主的斗争不会于今天就结束。
2012年奥巴马胜选演讲全文(中英对照)奥巴马:我会成为更好的总统"Thank you. Thank you. Thank you so much.Tonight, more than 200 years after a former colony won the right to determine its own destiny, the task of perfecting our union moves forward.It moves forward because of you. It moves forward because you reaffirmed the spirit that has triumphed over war and depression, the spirit that has lifted this country from the depths of despair to the great heights of hope, the belief that while each of us will pursue our own individual dreams, we are an American family and we rise or fall together as one nation and as one people. Tonight, in this election, you, the American people, reminded us that while our road has been hard, while our journey has been long, we have picked ourselves up, we have fought our way back, and we know in our hearts that for the United States of America the best is yet to come.I want to thank every American who participated in this election ... whether you voted for the very first time or waited in line for a very long time.By the way, we have to fix that. Whether you pounded the pavement or picked up the phone... ... whether you held an Obama sign or a Romney sign, you made your voice heard and you made a difference.I just spoke with Governor Romney and I congratulated him and Paul Ryan on a hard-fought campaign.We may have battled fiercely, but it's only because we love this country deeply and we care so strongly about its future.From George to Lenore to their son Mitt, the Romney family has chosen to give back to America through public service and that is the legacy that we honor and applaud tonight.In the weeks ahead, I also look forward to sitting down with Governor Romney to talk about where we can work together to move this country forward.I want to thank my friend and partner of the last four years, America's happy warrior, the best vice president anybody could ever hope for, Joe Biden.And I wouldn't be the man I am today without the woman who agreed to marry me 20 years ago. Let me say this publicly: Michelle, I have never loved you more. I have never been prouder to watch the rest of America fall in love with you, too, as our nation's first lady.Sasha and Malia, before our very eyes you're going up to become two strong, smart beautiful young women, just like your mom.And I'm so proud of you guys. But I will say that for now one dog's probably enough.To the best campaign team and volunteers in the history of politics...The best. The best ever. Some of you were new this time around, and some of you have been at my side since the very beginning.But all of you are family. No matter what you do or where you go from here, you will carry the memory of the history we made together and you will have the life-long appreciation of a grateful president. Thank you for believing all the way, throughevery hill, through every valley.You lifted me up the whole way and I will always be grateful for everything that you've done andall the incredible work that you put in.I know that political campaigns can sometimes seem small, even silly. And that provides plenty of fodder for the cynics that tell us that politics is nothing more than a contest of egos or the domain of special interests. But if you ever get the chance to talk to folks who turned out at our rallies and crowded along a rope line in a high school gym, or saw folks working late in a campaign office in some tiny county far away from home, you'll discover something else.You'll hear the determination in the voice of a young field organizer who's working his way through college and wants to make sure every child has that same opportunity.You'll hear the pride in the voice of a volunteer who's going door to door because her brother was finally hired when the local auto plant added another shift.You'll hear the deep patriotism in the voice of a military spouse whose working the phones late at night to make sure that no one who fights for this country ever has to fight for a job or a roof over their head when they come home.That's why we do this. That's what politics can be.That's why elections matter. It's not small, it's big. It's important. Democracy in a nation of 300 million can be noisy and messy and complicated. We have our own opinions. Each of us has deeply held beliefs. And when we go through tough times, when we make big decisions as a country, it necessarily stirs passions, stirs up controversy.That won't change after tonight, and it shouldn't. These arguments we have are a mark of our liberty. We can never forget that as we speak people in distant nations are risking their lives right now just for a chance to argue about the issues that matter, the chance to cast their ballots like we did today.But despite all our differences, most of us share certain hopes for America's future. We want our kids to grow up in a country where they have access to the best schools and the best teachers.A country that lives up to its legacy as the global leader in technology and discovery and innovation, with all the good jobs and new businesses that follow.We want our children to live in an America that isn't burdened by debt, that isn't weakened by inequality, that isn't threatened by the destructive power of a warming planet.We want to pass on a country that's safe and respected and admired around the world, a nation that is defended by the strongest military on earth and the best troops this -- this world has ever known. But also a country that moves with confidence beyond this time of war, to shape a peace that is built on the promise of freedom and dignity for every human being. We believe in a generous America, in a compassionate America, in a tolerant America, open to the dreams of an immigrant's daughter who studies in our schools and pledges to our flag.To the young boy on the south side of Chicago who sees a life beyond the nearest street corner.To the furniture worker's child in North Carolina who wants to become a doctor or a scientist, an engineer or an entrepreneur, a diplomat or even a president -- that's the future we hope for. That's the vision we share. That's where we need to go -- forward.That's where we need to go.Now, we will disagree, sometimes fiercely, about how to get there. As it has for more than two centuries, progress will come in fits and starts. It's not always a straight line. It's not always a smooth path.By itself, the recognition that we have common hopes and dreams won't end all the gridlock or solve all our problems or substitute for the painstaking work of building consensus and making thedifficult compromises needed to move this country forward. But that common bond is where we must begin.Our economy is recovering. A decade of war is ending. A long campaign is now over.And whether I earned your vote or not, I have listened to you, I have learned from you, and you've made me a better president. And with your stories and your struggles, I return to the White House more determined and more inspired than ever about the work there is to do and the future that lies ahead.Tonight you voted for action, not politics as usual.You elected us to focus on your jobs, not ours. And in the coming weeks and months, I am looking forward to reaching out and working with leaders of both parties to meet the challenges we can only solve together. Reducing our deficit. Reforming our tax code. Fixing our immigration system. Freeing ourselves from foreign oil. We've got more work to do.But that doesn't mean your work is done. The role of citizen in our democracy does not end with your vote. America's never been about what can be done for us. It's about what can be done by us together through the hard and frustrating, but necessary work of self- government. That's the principle we were founded on.This country has more wealth than any nation, but that's not what makes us rich. We have the most powerful military in history, but that's not what makes us strong. Our university, our culture are all the envy of the world, but that's not whatkeeps the world coming to our shores.What makes America exceptional are the bonds that hold together the most diverse nation on earth.The belief that our destiny is shared; that this country only works when we accept certain obligations to one another and to future generations. The freedom which so many Americans have fought for and died for come with responsibilities as well as rights.And among those are love and charity and duty and patriotism. That's what makes America great.I am hopeful tonight because I've seen the spirit at work in America. I've seen it in the family business whose owners would rather cut their own pay than lay off their neighbors, and in the workers who would rather cut back their hours than see a friend lose a job.I've seen it in the soldiers who reenlist after losing a limb and in those SEALs who charged up the stairs into darkness and danger because they knew there was a buddy behind them watching their back.I've seen it on the shores of New Jersey and New York, where leaders from every party and level of government have swept aside their differences to help a community rebuild from the wreckage of a terrible storm.And I saw just the other day, in Mentor, Ohio, where a father told the story of his 8-year-old daughter, whose long battle with leukemia nearly cost their family everything had it not been for health care reform passing just a few months before the insurance company was about to stop paying for her care.I had an opportunity to not just talk to the father, but meet this incredible daughter of his. And when he spoke to the crowd listening to that father's story, every parent in that room had tears in their eyes, because we knew that little girl could be our own.And I know that every American wants her future to be just as bright. That's who we are. That's the country I'm so proud to lead as your president.And tonight, despite all the hardship we've been through, despite all the frustrations of Washington, I've never been more hopeful about our future.I have never been more hopeful about America. And I ask you to sustain that hope. I'm not talking about blind optimism, the kind of hope that just ignores the enormity of the tasks ahead or the roadblocks that stand in our path. I'm not talking about the wishful idealism that allows us to just sit on the sidelines or shirk from a fight.I have always believed that hope is that stubborn thing inside us that insists, despite all the evidence to the contrary, that something better awaits us so long as we have the courage to keep reaching, to keep working, to keep fighting.America, I believe we can build on the progress we've made and continue to fight for new jobs and new opportunity and new security for the middle class. I believe we can keep the promise of our founders, the idea that if you're willing to work hard, it doesn't matter who you are or where you come from or what you look like or where you love. It doesn't matter whether you're black or white or Hispanic or Asian or Native American or young or old or rich or poor, able, disabled, gay or straight, you can make it here in America if you're willing to try.I believe we can seize this future together because we are not as divided as our politics suggests. We're not as cynical as the pundits believe. We are greater than the sum of our individual ambitions, and we remain more than a collection of red states and blue states. We are and forever will be the United States of America.And together with your help and God's grace we will continue our journey forward and remind the world just why it is that we live in the greatest nation on Earth.Thank you, America. God bless you. God bless these United States."谢谢,非常感谢。
---------------------------------------------------------------范文最新推荐------------------------------------------------------ 奥巴马获胜演说演讲稿(中英文)奥巴马获胜演说演讲稿(中英文)barack obama’s victory speech: change has come to america if there is anyone out there who still doubts that america is a place where all things are possible, who still wonders if the dream of our founders is alive in our time, who still questions the power of our democracy, tonight is your answer.如果,还有人怀疑美国是一切皆有可能的国度,还有人怀疑国父们的梦想在我们的时代是否还存在,还有人怀疑我们的民主所拥有的力量,那么今晚,你听到了回答。
it’s the answer told by lines that stretched around schools and churches in numbers this nation has never seen, by people who waited three hours and four hours, many for the first time in their lives, because they believed that this time must be different, that their voices could be that difference.是那些今天在学校和教堂排着长队、数不胜数的选民做出了回答;是那些为了投票等待了三四个小时的人们做出了回答。
2009年11月16日, 首次访华的美国总统奥巴马在上海科技博物馆与数百名中国学生对话,在对话前,奥巴马发表了演讲。
以下为奥巴马演讲的中英文对照全文。
PRESIDENT OBAMA: Good afternoon. It is a great honor for me to be here in Shanghai, and to have this opportunity to speak with all of you. I'd like to thank Fudan University's President Yang for his hospitality and his gracious welcome. I'd also like to thank our outstanding Ambassador, Jon Huntsman, who exemplifies the deep ties and respect between our nations. I don't know what he said, but I hope it was good. (Laughter.)奥巴马总统:你们好。
能够有机会在上海跟你们大家交谈,我深感荣幸。
我要感谢复旦大学的杨校长,感谢他的款待和热情的欢迎。
我还要感谢我们出色的大使洪博培,他代表了我们两国之间的深远联系和相互尊重。
我不知道他刚才说什么,但是希望他说得不错。
(笑声)What I'd like to do is to make some opening comments, and then what I'm really looking forward to doing is taking questions, not only from students who are in the audience, but also we've received questions online, which will be asked by some of the students who are here in the audience, as well as by Ambassador Huntsman. And I am very sorry that my Chinese is not as good as your English, but I am looking forward to this chance to have a dialogue.我今天准备先做一个开场白,但我真正希望做的是回答问题,不但回答在座的学生提出的问题,同时也回答从网上提出的一些问题,这些问题由在座的一些学生和洪博培大使代为提出。
奥巴马就职演讲(Change Has Come To America)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 new White House.萨沙和马莉娅,我爱你们,我对你们的爱超出了你们的想象。
你们已赢得了新的宠物狗,它将和我们一起前往新的白宫。
And while she’s no longer with us, I know my grandmother’s watching, along with the family that made me who I am. I miss them tonight. I know that my debt to them is beyond measure.尽管她没能和我们在一起,但我知道,我的祖母和养大我的家人在看着我,我今晚很想念他们,我知道我欠他们的东西是无法计量的。
To my sister Maya, my sister Alma, all my other brothers and sisters, thank you so much for all the support that you’ve given me. I am grateful to them.我的妹妹马娅、我的姐姐奥玛,我其他的兄弟和姐妹,非常感谢你们对我的支持,我感谢他们。
And to my campaign manager, David Plouffe, the unsung hero of this campaign, who built the best ——the best political campaign, I think, in the history of the United States of America.我的竞选经理大卫·普劳夫,这位竞选活动的无名英雄,他进行了最好的政治竞选活动,我认为这是美国历史上最棒的。
奥巴马竞选成功后在芝加哥的演讲全文英文版对照版奥巴马竞选成功后在芝加哥的演讲Ladies and gentlemen,Thank you all for being here today to witness this historic moment. I stand before you as the newly elected President of the United States of America. I am humbled and deeply honored to have been chosen by the American people to lead this great nation.As I look out into this sea of faces, I am reminded of the incredible diversity and unity that makes our country so unique. We are a nation of immigrants, a melting pot of cultures and ideas, and together, we have overcome numerous challenges throughout our history.Today, we celebrate not only the end of a long and hard-fought campaign, but also the beginning of a new chapter in our nation's history. The road to this moment has not been easy, but we have proven that anything is possible when we come together as one.I want to take a moment to thank my family, especially my wife Michelle, and our two beautiful daughters, Malia and Sasha. Your support and love have been my rock throughout this journey. I would not be standing here today without you.I also want to acknowledge my predecessor, President George W. Bush, for his service to our country. We may have had our differences, but Irespect the office and the challenges he faced during his tenure. Now, it is time for us to come together and move this nation forward.The task before us is great, but I have faith in the American people. We are a resilient nation, capable of great things. Together, we will rebuild our economy, strengthen our relationships with our allies, and restore our standing in the world.But we cannot do it alone. It is the collective effort of every American citizen that will drive change and bring about the progress our nation needs. Each and every one of you has a role to play in this journey.To the young people in the audience, I say this: You are the future of our country. It is your ideas, your passion, and your determination that will shape the world you inherit. Do not let anyone tell you that you cannot make a difference. Believe in yourselves and strive for greatness.To the business leaders and entrepreneurs, I urge you to invest in America. Create jobs, innovate, and contribute to the growth and prosperity of our nation. Together, we can build an economy that works for everyone, not just the few.To the men and women serving in our Armed Forces, I thank you for your sacrifice and dedication. You are the backbone of our nation's security, and I will ensure that you have the resources and support you need to carry out your mission.To our allies around the world, I say this: The United States will continue to be a beacon of hope and a force for good. We will uphold our commitments and work towards a more peaceful and prosperous world.In conclusion, my fellow Americans, I stand here today as your President, but I am also just a citizen of this great nation. It is your voices, your stories, and your dreams that have brought me to this moment. I will work tirelessly to lead with integrity, transparency, and compassion.May God bless you all, and may God bless the United States of America.谢谢大家!。
完美精华版奥巴马演讲中英文对照Ladies and gentlemen,Today, I stand before you as the President of the United States, humbled by the trust you have placed in me and grateful for the opportunity to address you all. The challenges we face are great, but together, we can overcome them and build a brighter future for our nation and the world.女士们先生们,今天,作为美国总统,我站在你们面前,对你们对我的信任感到谦卑,感激有机会向你们全体发表讲话。
我们面临的挑战艰巨,但是我们可以共同克服它们,为我们的国家和世界建设一个更加光明的未来。
As I look back on the past eight years, I am proud of what we have accomplished. We have overcome economic recession, expanded healthcare coverage, and made progress in areas such as climate change and marriage equality. But there is still work to be done.回顾过去的八年,我为我们所取得的成就感到自豪。
我们克服了经济衰退,扩大了医疗保障范围,在气候变化和婚姻平等等领域取得了进展。
但是还有工作要做。
In the years ahead, we must continue to strive for progress and upholdthe values that make our nation strong. We must invest in education, support innovation and entrepreneurship, and ensure that every citizen has the opportunity to succeed. Together, we can build an inclusive and prosperous society.在未来的岁月里,我们必须继续努力进取,坚守使我们国家强大的价值观。
英文原文:Ladies and Gentlemen,It is an honor to stand before you today and share a few thoughts on the power of dreams and the courage to pursue them. As you may know, I have had the privilege of serving as the President of the United States, and during my time in office, I have seen the incredible resilience and determination of the American people. But let me tell you, it all starts with a dream.Dreams are the fuel that powers our souls. They are the light that guides us through the darkest of times. And they are the reason why we rise above our challenges and achieve greatness. In the words of the great Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., "If you can dream it, you can do it."I remember growing up in a small town in Hawaii, the son of a white father and a black mother. My childhood was filled with dreams, big dreams. I dreamt of becoming a president, of making a difference in the lives of people, of uniting a nation that had been divided for far too long. But dreams alone are not enough. They require courage, perseverance, and hard work.When I first ran for the presidency, I was told that I was too young, too inexperienced, and that I didn't have what it takes to lead. But I didn't let that discourage me. Instead, I chose to embrace the challenge and work even harder. I believed in the power of dreams, and I knew that if I stayed true to my vision, I could make a difference.And so, I embarked on a journey that would change my life and the lives of millions of Americans. We faced obstacles and setbacks along the way, but we never lost sight of our dreams. We fought for healthcare reform, for equality, for justice, and for a more hopeful future. And little by little, we made progress.Today, I stand before you as a testament to the power of dreams and the courage to pursue them. I am not the same man who stood on that stage eight years ago. I have grown, I have learned, and I have beentransformed by the experiences of serving as the President of the United States.But let me remind you, my friends, that this journey does not end with me. It continues with you. Each and every one of you has the power to dream and the courage to pursue those dreams. Whether you aspire to be a doctor, a teacher, an engineer, or an artist, know that your dreams are valid, and they are within your reach.Here are a few lessons I have learned on this journey that I hope will inspire you:1. Believe in Yourself: The first step to pursuing your dreams is to believe in yourself. You are capable of achieving greatness, but you must first believe that you are worthy of it.2. Surround Yourself with Good People: Dreams are hard to achieve alone. Find mentors, friends, and family who will support you and help you along the way.3. Stay True to Your Values: Your dreams should align with your values. Stay true to who you are and what you stand for, and you will never go wrong.4. Be Persistent: Pursuing a dream is not an easy journey. There will be challenges and setbacks, but you must stay persistent. Remember why you started and keep pushing forward.5. Embrace Failure: Failure is not the end, it is a stepping stone. Learn from your mistakes, and use them as fuel to propel you forward.6. Dream Big: Don't settle for anything less than your best. Aim high, and you will be surprised by what you can achieve.7. Help Others: As you pursue your dreams, remember to help others along the way. Your success is not just about you; it is about making a positive impact on the world.Ladies and Gentlemen,The power of dreams and the courage to pursue them is a force that can change the world. It is the force that has driven us as a nation to overcome adversity, to innovate, and to lead. And it is the force that will continue to drive us forward, even as we face new challenges and opportunities.So, I urge you to dream big, to be courageous, and to never give up. Your dreams are not just for you; they are for your family, for your friends, for your community, and for the world. And when you pursue those dreams with all your heart, you will not only achieve success, but you will also inspire others to do the same.Thank you, and may the dreams you chase today lead you to a brighter tomorrow.中文翻译:女士们,先生们,今天能站在这里与大家分享关于梦想的力量以及追求梦想的勇气的思考,我感到非常荣幸。
《奥巴马演讲稿》奥巴马演讲稿(一):MR. OBAMA: Thank you。
Thank you so much。
Vice President Biden,Mr. ChiefJustice, Members of the United States Congress, distinguished guests, and fellowcitizens:多谢,十分感谢大家。
拜登副总统、首席大法官先生、国会议员们、尊敬的各位嘉宾、亲爱的公民们。
Each time we gather to inaugurate a president, we bear witness to theenduring strength of our Constitution。
We affirm the promise of our democracy。
We recall that what binds this nation together is not the colors of our skin orthe tenets of our faith or the origins of our names。
What makes us exceptionalwhat makes us American is our allegiance to an idea,articulated in adeclaration made more than two centuries ago:每一次我们集会庆祝总统就职都是在见证美国宪法的持久力量。
我们都是在肯定美国民主的承诺。
我们重申,将这个国家紧密联系在一齐的不是我们的肤色,也不是我们信仰的教条,更不是我们名字的来源。
让我们与众不一样,让我们成为美国人的是我们对于一种理念的恪守。
200多年前,这一理念在一篇宣言中被清晰阐述:We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal,that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, thatamong these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness。
奥巴马演讲词英文奥巴马胜选演讲的语言风格特点鲜明,结构清晰,承前启后,主题明确,用词简朴平实,寓意深刻。
句法方面无论短句和长句,还是复合句和简单句,规范严谨,运用合理,尤其是排比语句接二连三,气势磅礴,表达感染力很强。
奥巴马作为平民总统,他胜选演讲的语言风格既能为普通民众所喜闻乐见,又能为精英阶层所欣赏,具有较高的赏析价值。
以下是XX为大家搜集整理的,欢迎借鉴与阅读!奥巴马演讲词英文The audacity of hopeKeynote Address at the XX Democratic National ConventionJuly 27, XXOn behalf of the great state of Illinois, crossroads of a nation, land of Lincoln, let me express my deep gratitude for the privilege of addressing this convention. Tonight is a particular honor for me because, let's face it, my presence on this stage is pretty unlikely. My father was a foreign student, born and raised in a small village in Kenya. He grew up herding goats, went to school in a tin-roof shack. His father, my grandfather, was a cook, a domestic servant.But my grandfather had larger dreams for his son. Through hard work and perseverance my father got a scholarship to study in a magical place: America, which stood as a beacon of freedom and opportunity to so many who had come before. While studying here, my father met my mother. She was born in a town on the other side of the world, in Kansas. Her father worked on oil rigs and farms through most of the Depression. The day after Pearl Harbor he signed up for duty, joined Patton's army and marched across Europe. Back home, my grandmother raised their baby and went to work on a bomber assembly line. After the war, they studied on the GI Bill, bought a house through FHA, and moved west in search of opportunity.And they, too, had big dreams for their daughter, a common dream, born of two continents. My parents shared not only an improbable love; they shared an abiding faith in the possibilities of this nation. They would give me an African name, Barack, or "blessed," believing that in a tolerant America your name is no barrier to success. They imagined me going to the best schools in the land, even though they weren't rich,because in a generous America you don't have to be rich to achieve your potential. They are both passed away now. Yet, I know that, on this night, they look down on me with pride.I stand here today, grateful for the diversity of my heritage, aware that my parents' dreams live on in my precious daughters. I stand here knowing that my story is part of the larger American story, that I owea debt to all of those who came before me, and that,in no other country on earth, is my story even possible.Tonight, we gather to affirm the greatness of our nation, not because of the height of our skyscrapers, or the power of our military, or the size of our economy. Our pride is based on a very simple premise, summed upin a declaration made over two hundred years ago, "We hold these truths to he self-evident, that all men are created equal. That they are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable rights. That among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness."That is the true genius of America, a faith in the simple dreams of its people, the insistence on small miracles. That we can tuck in our children at night andknow they are fed and clothed and safe from harm. That we can say what we think, write what we think, without hearing a sudden knock on the door. That we can have an idea and start our own business without paying a bribe or hiring somebody's son. That we can participate in the political process without fear of retribution, and that our votes will he counted - or at least, most of the time.This year, in this election, we are called to reaffirm our values and commitments, to hold them against a hard reality and see how we are measuring up, to the legacy of our forbearers, and the promise of future generations. And fellow Americans - Democrats, Republicans, Independents - I say to you tonight: we have more work to do. More to do for the workers I met in Gale□□urg, Illinois, who are losing their union jobs at the Maytag plant that's moving to Mexico, and now are having to compete with their own children for jobs that pay seven bucks an hour. More to do for the father I met who was losing his job and choking back tears, wondering how he would pay $4,500 a month for the drugs his son needs without the health benefits hecounted on. More to do for the young woman in East St. Louis, and thousands more like her, who has the grades, has the drive, has the will, but doesn't have the money to go to college.Don't get me wrong. The people I meet in small towns and big cities, in diners and office parks, they don't expect government to solve all their problems. They know they have to work hard to get ahead and they want to. Go into the collar counties around Chicago, and people will tell you they don't want their tax money wasted by a welfare agency or the Pentagon. Go into any inner city neighborhood, and folks will tell you that government alone can't teach kids to learn. They know that parents have to parent, that children can't achieve unless we raise their expectations and turn off thetelevision sets and eradicate the slander that says a black youth with a book is acting white. No, people don't expect government to solve all their problems. But they sense, deep in their bones, that with just a change in priorities, we can make sure that every child in America has a decent shot at life, and thatthe doors of opportunity remain open to all. They know we can do better. And they want that choice.In this election, we offer that choice. Our party has chosen a man to lead us who embodies the best this country has to offer. That man is John Kerry. John Kerry understands the ideals of community, faith, and sacrifice, because they've defined his life. From his heroic service in Vietnam to his years as prosecutor and lieutenant governor, through two decades in the United States Senate, he has devoted himself to this country. Again and again, we've seen him make tough choices when easier ones were available. His values and his record affirm what is best in us.John Kerry believes in an America where hard work is rewarded. So instead of offering tax breaks to companies shipping jobs overseas, he'll offer them to companies creating jobs here at home. John Kerry believes in an America where all Americans can afford the same health coverage our politicians in Washington have for themselves. John Kerry believes in energy independence, so we aren't held hostage to the profits of oil companies or the sabotage of foreign oil fields.John Kerry believes in the constitutional freedoms that have made our country the envy of the world, and he will never sacrifice our basic liberties nor use faith as a wedge to divide us. And John Kerry believes that in a dangerous world, war must be an option, but it should never he the first option.A while back, I met a young man named Shamus at the VFW Hall in East Moline, Illinois. He was a good-looking kid, six-two or six-three, clear-eyed, with an easy smile. He told me he'd joined the Marines and was heading to Iraq the following week. As I listened to him explain why he'd enlisted, his absolute faith in our country and its leaders, his devotion to duty and service, I thought this young man was all any of us might hope for in a child. But then I asked myself: Are we serving Shamus as well as he was serving us? I thought of more than 900 service men and women, sons and daughters, hu□□ands and wives, friends and neighbors, who will not be returning to their hometowns.I thought of families I had met who were struggling to get by without a loved one's full income, or whose loved ones had returned with a limb missing or with nervesshattered, but who still lacked long-term health benefits because they were reservists. When we send our young men and women into harm's way, we have a solemn obligation not to fudge the numbers or shade the truth about why they're going, to care for their families while they're gone, to tend to the soldiers upon their return, and to never ever go to war without enough troops to win the war, secure the peace, and earn the respect of the world.Now let me be clear. We have real enemies in the world. These enemies must be found. They must be pursued and they must be defeated. John Kerry knows this. And just as Lieutenant Kerry did not hesitate to risk his life to protect the men who served with him in Vietnam, President Kerry will not hesitate one moment to use our military might to keep America safe and secure. John Kerry believes in America. And he knows it's not enough for just some of us to prosper. For alongside our famous individualism, there's another ingredient in the American saga.A belief that we are connected as one people. If there's a child on the south side of Chicago who can'tread, that matters to me, even if it's not my child. If there's a senior citizen somewhere who can't pay for her prescription and has to choose between medicine and the rent, that makes my life poorer, even if it's not my grandmother. If there's an Arab American family being rounded up without benefit of an attorney or due process, that threatens my civil liberties. It's that fundamental belief - I am my brother's keeper, I am my sister's keeper - that makes this country work. It's what allows us to pursue our individual dreams, yet still come together as a single American family. "E pluribus unum." Out of many, one.Yet even as we speak, there are those who are preparing to divide us, the spin masters and negative ad peddlers who embrace the politics of anything goes. Well, I say to them tonight, there's not a liberal America and a conservative America - there's the United States of America. There's not a black America and white America and Latino America and Asian America; there's the United States of America. The pundits like to slice-and-dice our country into Red States and Blue States; Red States for Republicans, Blue States forDemocrats. But I've got news for them, too. We worship an awesome God in the Blue States, and we don't like federal agents poking around our libraries in the Red States. We coach Little League in the Blue States and have gay friends in the Red States. There are patriots who opposed the war in Iraq and patriots who supported it. We are one people, all of us pledging allegiance to the stars and stripes, all of us defending the United States of America.In the end, that's what this election is about. Do we participate in a politics of cynicism or a politics of hope? John Kerry calls on us to hope. John Edwards calls on us to hope. I'm not talking about blind optimism here - the almost willful ignorance that thinks unemployment will go away if we just don't talk about it, or the health care crisis will solve itself if we just ignore it. No, I'm talking about something more substantial. It's the hope of slaves sitting around a fire singing freedom songs; the hope of immigrants setting out for distant shores; the hope of a young naval lieutenant bravely patrolling the Mekong Delta; the hope of a millworker's son who dares to defythe odds; the hope of a skinny kid with a funny name who believes that America has a place for him, too. The audacity of hope!In the end, that is God's greatest gift to us, the bedrock of this nation; the belief in things not seen; the belief that there are better days ahead. I believe we can give our middle class relief and provide working families with a road to opportunity. I believe we can provide jobs to the jobless, homes to the homeless, and reclaim young people in cities across America from violence and despair. I believe that as we stand on the crossroads of history, we can make the right choices, and meet the challenges that face us. America!Tonight, if you feel the same energy I do, the same urgency I do, the same passion I do, the same hopefulness I do - if we do what we must do, then I have no doubt that all across the country, from Florida to Oregon, from Washington to Maine, the people will rise up in November, and John Kerry will be sworn in as president, and John Edwards will be sworn in as vice president, and this country will reclaim its promise, and out of this long political darkness a brighter daywill come. Thank you and God bless you。