第2章 最美好的尚未到来！[1] The Best is Yet to Come!

谢谢，感谢大家，非常感谢。今晚，在一个殖民地赢得它自已的主权200多年之后，我们继续完善我们联邦的任务。

这个任务的继续是为了你们，是因为你们重申了那种精神，它令我们战胜了战争与大萧条，使这个国家摆脱了绝望，重新恢复了希望。你们坚信，虽然我们每个人都要追逐自己的梦想，但我们全体美国人是一个大家庭，我们作为一个民族、一个国家，要共同面对命运的起伏。

今晚，你们全体美国人民，提醒我们，虽然我们的道路很艰难，我们的旅程还十分漫长，但我们已经重拾了信心，我们又回来了。我们心里知道，美利坚合众国最美好的日子快来了。

我要感谢每一位参加这次选举的人。不管你是从第一天就投了票，还是排队等待了很长时间。当然，我们要解决排队投票的问题。不管你是亲自到现场投的票，还是打电话投的票，不管你把票投给了我，还是投给了罗姆尼，你都发出了自己的声音，都为这个国家贡献了力量。

我刚刚与罗姆尼州长通了电话，祝贺他和保罗·瑞安在这次艰难的竞选中所取得的成绩。我们这场战役十分激烈，但那都是因为我们深爱着这个国家，而且我们非常在意她的未来。从乔治到勒诺再到他们的儿子米特，整个罗姆尼家族都选择了为美国的公共服务工作，今晚在这里，我们对这种传统表示尊重和感谢。未来几周，我也期待与罗姆尼一起坐下来讨论如何共同为我们国家的进步工作。

我要感谢我的朋友，我四年来最好的搭档，美国的幸福战士，历史上最优秀的副总统拜登。

如果没有20年前跟我结婚的妻子，我今天就不会站在这里。我要告诉大家，米歇尔，我比以前更加爱你，因为我看到全美国的人民也都爱你这位第一夫人，我感到十分自豪。

我们眼前的萨莎和玛丽亚，你们正在成长为非常聪明美丽的女人，就像你们的妈妈一样，我为你们感到骄傲；不过我得说，现在给你们养一条宠物狗就够了。

感谢最优秀的竞选团队和志愿者，你们是历史上最棒的。你们有些人是第一次来到这里，有些人则在四年前一开始时就来到我身边，而你们每个人对我来说都像家人一样。不管你们做了什么，不管你们从此去到哪里，你们会永远记得我们一起创造的历史，而且你们会一直记得有一个心怀感激的总统。

感谢你们一路爬山涉水以来的信任。一路上，你们托起了我，我将永远感谢你们为我做的每一件事，以及你们所做的所有难以置信的工作。

我知道政治竞选可能有时候显得小家子气，甚至是愚蠢，也为一些愤世嫉俗的人提供了大量谈资，他们告诉我们政治不过是自负者之间的比赛，是某些特殊利益集团的地盘。但是，如果你们真的有机会跟蜂拥至中学体育馆排队的人们探讨，或者看到有些人离乡背井，在某个小城的竞选办公室里工作至深夜，你会有新的发现。

你将从一位年轻的活动现场组织者的声音里听到他的决心，他在大学里边学习边从事助选工作，希望确保每个孩子都能拥有同等的机会；你将从一位志愿者的声音里听到她的骄傲，她挨家挨户敲门动员，是因为她哥哥最终因为当地一家汽车制造厂增加了一个班次而有了工作；你将从一对军人夫妇的声音里听到深沉的爱国情怀，他们深夜时还在接听电话，以确保每一位曾经为这个国家战斗的人不会在返回家园时还要为得到一份工作或栖身之所而苦苦争斗。

这正是我们为何要选举的原因。这是政治所能做到的。这也正是选举为何重要的原因。这不是小事，而是大事，是重要的事。在一个有三亿人口的国家实行民主制度可能会嘈杂不堪、一团混乱、错综复杂。我们有自己的观点。我们每个人都有自己深信的信仰。当我们经历艰难时世，当我们作为一个国家做出重大决定时，这必然会引发激情，也会引起争议。

今晚过后，这都不会改变，也不应该改变。我们进行的这些争论，恰恰体现了我们的自由。我们永远不应忘记，就在我们讲话之际，遥远国度的人们现在正冒着生命危险，仅仅是为了获得一个能够对重要问题进行争论、像我们今天这样投票的机会。

不过，尽管我们存在各种分歧，我们中的大多数都对美国的未来有着某些共同的希望。我们希望我们的孩子成长的国家能够让他们上最好的学校、接受最好老师的教导。一个无愧于在技术、探索和创新方面有着领导全球光辉历史的国家，那样的话，各种好工作和新企业将随之而来。

我们希望我们的孩子生活在美国不会被债务所累，不会被不公所苦，没有全球变暖带来的破坏之虞。我们希望留给后代一个安全、受到全球尊重和赞赏的国家，一个由全球有史以来最强大的军事力量和最好的部队保卫的国家，同时也是一个满怀信心走过战争、在人人享有尊严的承诺之上构建和平的国家。

我们坚信一个慷慨的美国、一个富有同情心的美国、一个宽容的美国，向一位移民的女儿打开了大门，让她有机会实现在我们的学校学习、对着我们的国旗宣誓的梦想；美国向芝加哥南部地区的一个年轻小伙子打开了大门，让他有机会看到一个最近街角以外的远大人生；美国向北卡罗来纳州的一位家具工人的孩子打开了大门，让他有机会实现自己成为医生或科学家、工程师或企业家、外交官甚至是总统的梦想，这是我们希望的未来。这是我们共同的愿景。这是我们奔赴的方向，向前的方向。这是我们需要实现的目标。

现在，我们对如何实现这一目标存在分歧，有时还很严重。正如两个多世纪以来，进步总是断断续续，并非总是一条直线，并非总是一帆风顺。

仅仅承认我们拥有共同的希望和梦想不会结束所有的僵局，或解决我们所有的问题，或代替达成共识所需要付出的艰辛努力。要推动这个国家向前就必须达成共识，做出艰难的辛苦努力。不过，这一共同的纽带是我们必须开始的地方。

我们的经济正在好转。长达10年的战争即将结束。一场漫长的竞选现已落幕。无论我是否赢得了你们的选票，我一直在倾听你们，我向你们学习，你们使我成为一位更好的总统。听过你们的经历和曾经的奋斗，我在重返白宫时，对今后要做的工作和未来比以往更坚定、更有热情。

今晚，你们把票投给了行动，而不是像以往投给了政治。你们选举我们来专注于你们的工作，而不是我们自己的工作。在未来的几周和几个月里，我期待着与两党领袖接触并合作，以便面对我们团结一致才能解决的问题：减少赤字，改革税法，修改移民制度，摆脱对外国石油的依赖等。我们还有更多工作要做。

但这并不意味着你们的工作就此结束。民主国家公民的角色并不随着投票完成而结束。美国看重的从来都不是能够为我们个人做些什么，而是我们团结一致通过自治，虽然艰难、令人备感挫折但却是必须要做的，来实现什么。这正是我们的立国之本。

美国的财富多于世界上任何其他国家，但真正让我们富有的并非金钱；我们拥有史上最强大的军力，但真正让我们强壮的并非军队；我们的大学和文化为全世界所羡慕，但真正吸引各国人民踏上我们国土的魅力也不在于此。

真正让美国与众不同的，是那些连结世界上最多元化国家的人民的纽带，是我们共命运的信念，是只有当我们对彼此和后代相互承担起某些责任时美国才能走下去的信念，是无数的美国人前赴后继为之奋斗的自由——它既赋予我们权利，也带给我们责任，是爱、慈善、义务和爱国。正是这些，让美国变得伟大。

今晚，我满怀希望，因为我已经看到美国精神正在得以发扬。我在某些家族企业主的身上看到了它，他们宁可减少自己的薪酬，也不愿让邻居丢掉工作；我在某些工人身上看到了它，他们宁愿缩减自己的工时，也不愿看到朋友没有活干；我在某些士兵身上看到了它，他们在失去一条腿或胳膊之后，又选择再次入伍；我在某些海豹突击队员身上看到了它，他们不避危险冲上楼梯、冲入黑暗，因为他们知道有一个兄弟在做他的后盾。

在新泽西和纽约的海岸，我也看到了美国精神。每一个政党和各级政府的领导者都摒弃分歧，为在恐怖风暴过后的废墟上重建社区共同努力。就在前几天，在俄亥俄的门托，我看到一位父亲在讲述他八岁女儿的故事，这个女孩与白血病进行了长期的斗争，如果不是因为几个月前通过的医改法案，保险公司就会停止支付她的医疗费用，在那之前他家里几乎已经花光了所有的钱。

我曾有机会与这位父亲聊天，而且我还见到了他非常了不起的女儿。当这位父亲向倾听他故事的人讲述时，每一位为人父母的在场者眼里都含着泪水，因为我们知道，我们自己的孩子也有可能遇到这种情况。

而且我知道，每一位美国人都希望这位小女孩的未来能像所有人一样光明。这就是美国人，这就是美国，我为自己能够成为这个国家的总统、带领这个国家前行感到无比骄傲。

今晚，尽管我们遭遇了很多困难，尽管华盛顿有诸多不尽人意之处，我仍从未像现在这样对未来充满希望。我从未像现在这样对美国充满希望。我请大家也保持这样的希望。我所说的并非盲目的乐观主义，不是那种不知道眼前的任务有多么艰巨、不知道前行的路上有什么样障碍的希望；我所说的并非置身事外，或是临战脱逃、一厢情愿的理想主义。

我一直相信，所谓希望就是我们内心顽强坚持的力量，不管有多少相反的证据，都要相信有更好的东西在等着我们，只要我们有勇气不断前行、不懈工作、不停战斗。

国民们，我相信我们有能力在已经取得的进步的基础上再进一步，继续为了给中产阶级创造新的工作、新的机遇、新的保障而战斗。我相信我们有能力信守奠基者们许下的诺言，信守这样一种理念，那就是不管你是谁，不管你来自哪里，不管你长相如何，不管你爱着哪个地方，你所需要做的就是努力工作。不管你的肤色是黑是白，不管你是拉美裔、亚裔还是美国原住民，不管你年轻还是年老，富有还是贫穷，身体健全或是身患残疾，同性恋还是异性恋，只要你愿意努力，就能够在美国有所作为。

我相信我们有能力共同把握这样的未来，因为美国人民并不像政界说的那样存在严重分歧。美国人民不像某些专家认为的那样愤世嫉俗。美国的抱负大于每一个美国人的抱负之和。美国也不是红州和蓝州的简单联合。我们不但现在也将永远都是美利坚合众国。有你们的帮助，有上帝的仁慈，我们将继续前行。让全世界知道我们为什么生活在全球最伟大的国度。

谢谢你们，国民们，上帝保佑你们，上帝保佑美国。

附：英文原文

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 to perfect our union moves forward. (Applause)

It moves forward because of you. It moves forward because you reaffirmed the spirit that triumphs over war an depression. The spirit that has lifted the spirit 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 will rise and fall as one nation, and as one people. (Applause)

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. (Applause)

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. (Applause) Whether you pounded the pavement or picked up the phone. Whether you held an Obama sign or a Romney sign your voice was heard and you made a difference.

I just spoke Governor Romney and I congratulated him and Congressman Ryan on a hard fought campaign. We may have battled fiercely, but it is only because we love this country deeply and we care so much about its future. From George and Lenore, to their son Mitt - the Romney family has chosen to give back to America through their public service and that is a legacy that we honor and applaud tonight.

In the weeks ahead I also look forward to sitting down with Governor Romney to figure out where we can work together to move this country forward.

I want to thank my friend and partner of the last four years, Americas“happy warrior”the best Vice President you could hope for; Joe Biden. (Applause)

And I wouldn't be the man 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 growing up to become two smart, beautiful young women just like your mom. (Applause) And I am so proud of you guys; but I will say for now one dog is probably enough.

To the best campaign team and volunteers in the history of politics (cheers) 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 (cheers) 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 lifelong appreciation of a grateful president.

Thank you for believing all the way, through every hill, through every valley, you lifted me up the whole way and I will always be grateful for everything that you have done and all the incredible work that you've put in. (cheers)

I know that political campaigns can sometimes seem small, even silly, and that provides plenty of fodder of the cynics who tell us that politics are 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 the rope line at a high school gym, or saw folks working late at a campaign office at 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 that every child has that same opportunity (cheers). You'll hear the pride in the voice of a volunteer who is going door to door because her brother was finally hired when the local auto plant added another shift (cheers). You'll hear the deep patriotism in the voice of a military spouse who's 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. (cheers)

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, it stirs up controversy.

That won't change after tonight and it shouldn't. These arguments we have are a mark of our liberty and 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. (cheers)

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 access to the best schools and the best teachers. (Applause) A country that lives up to its legacy as the global leader in technology and discovery and innovation. With all the new jobs and new businesses that follow.

We want our children to live in America that isn't burdened by debt, that isn't weakened by inequality. That isn't weakened by the destructive power of a warming planet. (Applause) We want to pass on a country that is safe, and respected, and admired around the world. A nation that is defended by the strongest military on earth and the best troops this world has ever known. (Applause) But also a country that moves with confidence beyond this time of war that will shape a peace that is built on 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 a immigrants daughter who studies in our schools and pledges to our flag. (applause)To the young boy from the South Side of Chicago who sees a life beyond the street corner. (Cheers) To the furniture workers child in North Carolina who wants to become a doctor or a scientist, and engineer or an entrepreneur, a diplomat or even a president. That's the future we hope for, the vision we share. That is where we need to go. Forward. (Cheers) That's where we need to go.

Now we will disagree, sometimes fiercely 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 we have common hopes and dreams won't end all the gridlock, or solve all our problems or substitute for all the painstaking work for building our consensus or making the difficult compromises 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 about the work there is to do and the future that lies ahead. (Applause)

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 has never been about what can be done for us, it's about what can be done by us by the hard, frustrating but necessary work of self government. That is 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 what keeps 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 except certain obligations to one another and the future generations so that the freedom which so many Americans have fought for and died for comes with responsibilities as well as rights and among those are love, and charity, and duty, and patriotism. That's what makes America great. (cheers)

I am hopeful tonight because I've seen the spirit at work in America. I have 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 that charged up the stairs into darkness and danger because they knew there was a buddy behind them watching their back. (cheers)

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. (Cheers, applause.) And I saw it 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. (Cheers, applause.)

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 road blocks 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. (Cheers, applause.)

America, I believe we can build on the progress we've made and continue to fight for new jobs and new opportunities and new security for the middle class. I believe we can keep the promise of our founding, 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 (ph). 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, abled, disabled, gay or straight. (Cheers, applause.) 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 suggest. We are not as cynical as the pendants 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 Gods grace we will continue to journey forward and remind the world what it is to live in the greatest nation on earth.

Thank you America. God bless us. God bless these United States. (Applause)