2004年民主党全国代表大会主题演讲

Kerry'seechofAcceptance(演讲视频)

ARemarkablePromise(克里记录片)

第四篇：米歇尔2012民主党大会演讲

Thank you so much, Elaine.… We are so grateful for your family's service and sacrifice … and we will always have your back.Over the past few years as First Lady, I have had the extraordinary privilege of traveling all across this country.And everywhere I've gone, in the people I've met, and the stories I've heard, I have seen the very best of the American spirit.I have seen it in the incredible kindness and warmth that people have shown me and my family, especially our girls.I've seen it in teachers in a near-bankrupt school district who vowed to keep teaching without pay.I've seen it in people who become heroes at a moment's notice, diving into harm's way to save others … flying across the country to put out a fire … driving for hours to bail out a flooded town.And I've seen it in our men and women in uniform and our proud military families … in wounded warriors who tell me they're not just going to walk again, they're going to run, and they're going to run marathons … in the young man blinded by a bomb in Afghanistan who said, simply, “… I'd give my eyes 100 times again to have the chance to do what I have done and what I can still do.” Every day, the people I meet inspire me … every day, they make me proud … every day they remind me how blessed we are to live in the greatest nation on earth.Serving as your first lady is an honor and a privilege … but back when we first came together four years ago, I still had some concerns about this journey we'd begun.While I believed deeply in my husband's vision for this country, … and I was certain he would make an extraordinary president, … like any mother, I was worried about what it would mean for our girls if he got that chance.How would we keep them grounded under the glare of the national spotlight? How would they feel being uprooted from their school, their friends, and the only home they'd ever known? Our life before moving to Washington was filled with simple joys: … Saturdays at soccer games, Sundays at grandma's house … and a date night for Barack and me was either dinner or a movie, because as an exhausted mom, I couldn't stay awake for both.And the truth is, I loved the life we had built for our girls.… I deeply loved the man I had built that life with, … and I didn't want that to change if he became president.I loved Barack just the way he was.You see, even though back then Barack was a senator and a presidential candidate … to me, he was still the guy who'd picked me up for our dates in a car that was so rusted out, I could actually see the pavement going by through a hole in the passenger side door.… He was the guy whose proudest possession was a coffee table he'd found in a Dumpster, and whose only pair of decent shoes was half a size too small.But when Barack started telling me about his family — that's when I knew I had found a kindred spirit, someone whose values and upbringing were so much like mine.You see, Barack and I were both raised by families who didn't have much in the way of money or material possessions but who had given us something far more valuable: their unconditional love, their unflinching sacrifice, and the chance to go places they had never imagined for themselves.My father was a pump operator at the city water plant, and he was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis多发性硬化症 when my brother and I were young.And even as a kid, I knew there were plenty of days when he was in pain.… I knew there were plenty of mornings when it was a struggle for him to simply get out of bed.But every morning, I watched my father wake up with a smile, grab his walker, prop himself up against the bathroom sink, and slowly shave and button his uniform.And when he returned home after a long day's work, my brother and I would stand at the top of the stairs to our little apartment, patiently waiting to greet him, … watching as he reached down to lift one leg, and then the other, to slowly climb his way into our arms.But despite these challenges, my dad hardly ever missed a day of work.… He and my mom were determined to give me and my brother the kind of education they could only dream of.And when my brother and I finally made it to college, nearly all of our tuition came from student loans and grants.But my dad still had to pay a tiny portion of that tuition himself.And every semester, he was determined to pay that bill right on time, even taking out loans when he fell short.He was so proud to be sending his kids to college, … and he made sure we never missed a registration deadline because his check was late.You see, for my dad, that's what it meant to be a man.Like so many of us, that was the measure of his success in life — being able to earn a decent living that allowed him to support his family.And as I got to know Barack, I realized that even though he'd grown up all the way across the country, he'd been brought up just like me.Barack was raised by a single mother who struggled to pay the bills, and by grandparents who stepped in when she needed help.Barack's grandmother started out as a secretary at a community bank, … and she moved quickly up the ranks.… But like so many women, she hit a glass ceiling.And for years, men no more qualified than she was — men she had actually trained — were promoted up the ladder ahead of her, earning more and more money while Barack's family continued to scrape by.But day after day, she kept on waking up at dawn to catch the bus, … arriving at work before anyone else, … giving her best without complaint or regret.And she would often tell Barack, “So long as you kids do well, Bar, that's all that really matters.”

Like so many American families, our families weren't asking for much.They didn't begrudge anyone else's success or care that others had much more than they did.… In fact, they admired it.They simply believed in that fundamental American promise that, even if you don't start out with much, if you work hard and do what you're supposed to do, then you should be able to build a decent life for yourself and an even better life for your kids and grandkids.That's how they raised us.… That's what we learned from their example.We learned about dignity and decency, that how hard you work matters more than how much you make, … that helping others means more than just getting ahead yourself.We learned about honesty and integrity.That the truth matters, … that you don't take shortcuts or play by your own set of rules.… And success doesn't count unless you earn it fair and square.We learned about gratitude and humility.That so many people had a hand in our success, from the teachers who inspired us to the janitors who kept our school clean — … and we were taught to value everyone's contribution and treat everyone with respect.Those are the values Barack and I — and so many of you — are trying to pass on to our own children.That's who we are.And standing before you four years ago, I knew that I didn't want any of that to change if Barack became president.Well, today, after so many struggles and triumphs and moments that have tested my husband in ways I never could have imagined, I have seen firsthand that being president doesn't change who you are — it reveals who you are.You see, I've gotten to see up close and personal what being president really looks like.And I've seen how the issues that come across a President's desk are always the hard ones — the problems where no amount of data or numbers will get you to the right answer.… The judgment calls where the stakes are so high, and there is no margin for error.And as president, you can get all kinds of advice from all kinds of people.But at the end of the day, when it comes time to make that decision, as president all you have to guide you are your values and your vision, and the life experiences that make you who you are.So when it comes to rebuilding our economy, Barack is thinking about folks like my dad and like his grandmother.He's thinking about the pride that comes from a hard day's work.That's why he signed the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act to help women get equal pay for equal work.这就是为什么他签署了莱德贝特公平报酬法，以帮助妇女获得平等的同工同酬。

That's why he cut taxes for working families and small businesses and fought to get the auto industry back on its feet.That's how he brought our economy from the brink of collapse to creating jobs again — jobs you can raise a family on, good jobs right here in the United States of America.When it comes to the health of our families, Barack refused to listen to all those folks who told him to leave health reform for another day, another president.He didn't care whether it was the easy thing to do politically — that's not how he was raised — he cared that it was the right thing to do.He did it because he believes that here in America, our grandparents should be able to afford their medicine.… Our kids should be able to see a doctor when they're sick, … and no one in this country should ever go broke because of an accident or illness.And he believes that women are more than capable of making our own choices about our bodies and our health care … that's what my husband stands for.When it comes to giving our kids the education they deserve, Barack knows that like me and like so many of you, he never could've attended college without financial aid.And believe it or not, when we were first married, our combined monthly student loan bills were actually higher than our mortgage.We were so young, so in love, and so in debt.That's why Barack has fought so hard to increase student aid and keep interest rates down, because he wants every young person to fulfill their promise and be able to attend college without a mountain of debt.So in the end, for Barack, these issues aren't political.They're personal.Because Barack knows what it means when a family struggles.He knows what it means to want something more for your kids and grandkids.Barack knows the American Dream because he's lived it, … and he wants everyone in this country to have that same opportunity, no matter who we are, or where we're from, or what we look like, or who we love.And he believes that when you've worked hard, and done well, and walked through that doorway of opportunity, … you do not slam it shut behind you.… You reach back, and you give other folks the same chances that helped you succeed.So when people ask me whether being in the White House has changed my husband, I can honestly say that when it comes to his character, and his convictions, and his heart, Barack Obama is still the same man I fell in love with all those years ago.He's the same man who started his career by turning down high paying jobs and instead working in struggling neighborhoods where a steel plant had shut down, fighting to rebuild those communities and get folks back to work, … because for Barack, success isn't about how much money you make, it's about the difference you make in people's lives.He's the same man who, when our girls were first born, would anxiously check their cribs every few minutes to ensure they were still breathing, proudly showing them off to everyone we knew.That's the man who sits down with me and our girls for dinner nearly every night, patiently answering their questions about issues in the news, and strategizing about middle school friendships.That's the man I see in those quiet moments late at night, hunched over his desk, poring over the letters people have sent him.The letter from the father struggling to pay his bills, … from the woman dying of cancer whose insurance company won't cover her care, … from the young person with so much promise but so few opportunities.I see the concern in his eyes, … and I hear the determination in his voice as he tells me, “You won't believe what these folks are going through, Michelle.… It's not right.We've got to keep working to fix this.We've got so much more to do.” I see how those stories — our collection of struggles and hopes and dreams — I see how that's what drives Barack Obama every single day.And I didn't think it was possible, but today, I love my husband even more than I did four years ago, … even more than I did 23 years ago, when we first met.I love that he's never forgotten how he started.I love that we can trust Barack to do what he says he's going to do, even when it's hard — especially when it's hard.I love that for Barack, there is no such thing as “us” and “them” — he doesn't care whether you're a Democrat, a Republican, or none of the above.… He knows that we all love our country, … and he's always ready to listen to good ideas.… He's always looking for the very best in everyone he meets.And I love that even in the toughest moments, when we're all sweating it — when we're worried that the bill won't pass, and it seems like all is lost — Barack never lets himself get distracted by the chatter and the noise.Just like his grandmother, he just keeps getting up and moving forward … with patience and wisdom, and courage and grace.And he reminds me that we are playing a long game here, … and that change is hard, and change is slow, and it never happens all at once.But eventually we get there, we always do.We get there because of folks like my dad, … folks like Barack's grandmother, … men and women who said to themselves, “I may not have a chance to fulfill my dreams, but maybe my children will.… Maybe my grandchildren will.”

So many of us stand here tonight because of their sacrifice, and longing, and steadfast love, … because time and again, they swallowed their fears and doubts and did what was hard.So today, when the challenges we face start to seem overwhelming — or even impossible — let us never forget that doing the impossible is the history of this nation.… It's who we are as Americans.… It's how this country was built.And if our parents and grandparents could toil and struggle for us, … if they could raise beams of steel to the sky, send a man to the moon, and connect the world with the touch of a button, … then surely we can keep on sacrificing and building for our own kids and grandkids.And if so many brave men and women could wear our country's uniform and sacrifice their lives for our most fundamental rights, … then surely we can do our part as citizens of this great democracy to exercise those rights.… Surely, we can get to the polls and make our voices heard on Election Day.If farmers and blacksmiths could win independence from an empire, … if immigrants could leave behind everything they knew for a better life on our shores, … if women could be dragged to jail for seeking the vote, … if a generation could defeat a depression, and define greatness for all time, … if a young preacher could lift us to the mountaintop with his righteous dream, … and if proud Americans can be who they are and boldly stand at the altar with who they love, … then surely, surely we can give everyone in this country a fair chance at that great American Dream.Because in the end, more than anything else, that is the story of this country — the story of unwavering hope grounded in unyielding struggle.That is what has made my story, and Barack's story, and so many other American stories possible.And I say all of this tonight not just as first lady, … and not just as a wife.You see, at the end of the day, my most important title is still “mom-in-chief.” My daughters are still the heart of my heart and the center of my world.But today, I have none of those worries from four years ago about whether Barack and I were doing what's best for our girls.Because today, I know from experience that if I truly want to leave a better world for my daughters, and all our sons and daughters, … if we want to give all our children a foundation for their dreams and opportunities worthy of their promise, … if we want to give them that sense of limitless possibility — that belief that here in America, there is always something better out there if you're willing to work for it — … then we must work like never before, … and we must once again come together and stand together for the man we can trust to keep moving this great country forward: … my husband, our president, President Barack Obama.Thank you, God bless you, and God bless America.

第五篇：克林顿 1992年民主党全国代表大会上接受总统候选人提名的演讲

1992年民主党全国代表大会上接受总统候选人提名的演讲

威廉·杰弗逊·克林顿 1992.7.16.于纽约

理查兹州长、布郎主席、狄更斯市长——我们热情的东道主、我的代表伙伴们、我的美国同胞们、我为之骄傲的阿尔·戈尔：

戈尔他说今晚他来到这里，是因为在电视直播之前他总是要做些“热身运动”。而我今年参加总统竞选有一个而且只有一个原因：我希望回到这个大会并且完成我四年前开始的那个演讲。

昨天晚上，马里奥·柯默教给我们应怎样作一个真正的接受总统候选人提名的演讲，他也让我们明白为什么我们必须使我们国家的航船驰向新的航道。今晚，我要跟你们谈谈我对于未来的希望，我对于美国人民的信念，以及我对于我们将共同建设的那种国家的憧憬。

我要向我在竞选活动中的杰出的同事们致敬：汤姆·哈金、鲍勃·克里、堂·怀尔德、杰里·布郎和保罗·桑贾斯。

悬在我们共同搭建的讲台上的那名话表明了一切：美国所能采取的政策——最重要的家庭政策、城市政策、劳工政策、少数民族政策、以及外交政策，必然是促使那能带来更多高技术高报酬的就业机会的自由经济进一步扩展的政策。因此，以所有那些劳作纳税、养育子女、奉公守法的人民的名义，以所有那些构成了我们被遗忘的中产阶级的勤奋工作的美国人的名义，我骄傲地接受美国总统候选人的提名。

我是中产阶级的产儿，当我成了美国总统，你们将不再被遗忘。

我们——你们和我——相逢在一个特殊的历史时刻：冷战已经结束，苏维埃共产主义已经崩溃；我们的价值观——自由、民主、人权、自由竞争——已取得全球性的胜利。然而，就在我们于海外赢得冷战的同时，我们却输掉了在国内创造平等的经济机会和争取社会正义的战役。

既然我们已经改变了世界，是时候了——让我们改变美国。

我要告诉那些贪婪的势力和现状的维护者：你们的时代曾经到来但已经过去，现在是改变美国的时代！

今天晚上，我的数以千万计的美国同胞没有工作，数千万的人们更辛苦的工作只能换来更低廉的报酬。我们的现任总统说，在经济复苏开始之前，失业人数总会有些增加。我想，失业人数必须再增加一个，真正的经济复苏才能开始。那个人就是你，总统先生！

这次选举就是要把权力交还到你们的手中，就是要使政府站回到你们一边，就是要把人民放在第一位。

你们知道，这些话我说遍全国。无论何时，只要我这么说，总有人靠进我——就像本周在曼哈顿东区亨利街住宅区的一次社区会议一个年轻人所做的那样。

他说：“那些听起来不错，比尔。但是，你是政客，我为什么要相信你呢？

今晚，我要尽可能坦率地告诉你们，我是谁，我信仰什么，我要把美国引向何方。我从未见过我父亲。在我出生前三个月，他驾车从芝加哥赶往阿肯色去看望我妈妈，一路上下着雨，他在汽车失事时丧生。

那以后，妈妈必须独自抚养我们。因此当她返回路易斯安那州学习护理专业时，我们只能同外祖父外祖母住在一起。直到今天，我依然清晰地记得透过当时只有三岁的眼睛所目睹的情形：妈妈她跪在站台上，哭着把我交给坐在开往阿肯色的列车上的外祖母，妈妈忍受了那痛苦，因为她知道，只有做出牺牲才能给我更好的生活。是妈妈教育了我。她教我懂得家庭、勤奋工作和牺牲的真谛。她镇定地承受一次又一次灾难的打击，她领着全家——我哥哥和我——共同渡过艰苦的岁月。

作为孩子，我曾目睹她每天离家上班，而那时代对一个在职妈妈来说并不总是那么容易。作为成人，我又目睹她战胜乳腺癌，在如何保持勇气方面再给我上了一课，她总是，总是要我去奋斗。

这就是为什么，我将为之奋斗以创造高收入的工作机会，使今天的父母能支付抚养子女的费用。

这就是为什么，我为之奋斗以确保每一个美国人都能得到那拯救了我母亲生命的医疗保障，确保妇女在医疗保障上能得到和男子一样的重视。

这就是为什么，我决心为之奋斗以确保妇女在这个国家享有尊严，受到尊重——不管她们是操持家务、外出工作，还是身兼二任。

你们想知道我的战斗精神从何而来？它全都源自我的妈妈。谢谢你，妈妈。我爱你！每当我想起全体美国人的机会平等，我就想起我的外祖父。他经营我们霍普小镇的一家乡村杂货店。那时还没有政府发放的食品票，所以当他的顾客——不管他们是白人或黑人，只要他们努力工作尽其所能——他们身无分文走进小店，呃，他总是给他们食物，他只是随便记上一笔。遇到此类情况，我也是照此办理。

还在我长大到足以独力照看柜台之前，我已从他那里学会如何去尊重那些通常被人蔑视的人们。

我外祖父只念了高中——普通高中，然而在那乡村杂货店里，关于什么是上帝眼中的平等，他比乔治城大学所有的教授教给我的还要多；关于每一个体的基本价值，他比牛津大学所有的哲学家教给我的还要多；关于法律下公平审判的必要性，他教给我的比耶鲁法学院所有的法学家还要多。

如果你想知道，我那要不分种族把全体人民团结起来的承诺的热情从何而来。它全都源自我的外祖父。

从另一个人身上，我也获益良多。有这么一个人，她勤奋工作逾二十年来帮助我们的孩子们：她牺牲大量的时间以确保我们的学校不会误人子弟；她用一年时间走遍全国，倾听、学习、研究，出席家庭教师协会、学校董事会以及市政厅的有关会议，推出了得到各地区验证的学校改革的一揽子计划。同时她在律师界奠定了良好的事业基础，她又是一位了不起的充满爱心的母亲。

那个人就是我妻子。

希拉里告诉我，她告诉我，所有的孩子都能学习，我们每个人都有义务帮助他们。因此，如果你们想知道为什么我如此关心我们的孩子们我们的未来，这一切都源自希拉里。我爱你。

坦白说，我对那些向我们宣讲家庭价值的华盛顿的政客们感到厌倦。我们的家庭是有价值的，但我们的政府却一钱不值。

我要这样一个美国，在那里，家庭的价值活在我们的行动中，而不只是停留在我们的演说里。我要这样一个美国，她包容每一个家庭——每一个传统的大家庭，每一个双亲的或单亲的家庭，每一个收养的家庭，所有这些家庭。

对我们国家中那些选择放弃他们的孩子，忽视对孩子的抚养义务的父亲们，我想说几句话：担负起抚养孩子的义务来，否则我们将强迫你们这样做。因为政府不能抚养孩子，而父母却能，你们责无旁贷，今晚，我要告诉美国的每一个孩子——那些失去父亲或母亲正在长大成人的孩子——我了解你们的感受，你们也是独一无二的。

你们对美国很重要。你们不能听任别人告诉你们，说什么你们不能成为你们所希望成就的那种人。如果别的政治家让你们觉得你们不属于他们的家庭，来吧，成为我们之中的一员。

过去十二年的所有错误中最让我愤怒的莫过于我们的政府将我们所珍视的价值弃如敝 2 屣，而我们的政治家却把它们挂在嘴上喋喋不休，我烦透了这个。

我从小就相信，“美国梦”应该建立于“努力工作，必有回报”的基石之上。我们看到的却是华盛顿的家伙把这一道德信条抛诸脑后。

太久了，那些奉公守法保持信仰的人得到的是不公正的待遇，那些投机取巧弄虚作假的人却往往好处占尽。

人们工作得比以往更辛苦，他们陪伴孩子的时间比以往更少。以往参加家庭教师协会或童子军活动的时间被挤占，取而代之的是夜间和周末的加班。他们的收入不断下降，他们的税负持续上升，而医疗保健、住宅和教育的开支更是涨上了天。

与此同时，越来越多的最优秀的人正在陷入贫困，尽管他们每周工作四十个小时。我们的人民呼唤改革，但政府却挡在道上——它已经被特权阶层的私利所劫持。它忘了就站在这里的那些真正为政府“埋单”的人们。我们必须超越华盛顿那僵化的政见，给人民一个他们应得的政府，一个为他们服务的政府。

总统，一个总统应该是推动进步的强大力量。但只是在今天，我才体会到林肯总统的感受——内战期间，当麦克莱将军不愿进攻时，林肯问他：“如果你不用你的军队，我能借用它吗？”

同样地，我说，乔治·布什，如果你不用你的权力来帮助美国，站一边去，让我来吧！我们的国家正在落后。总统成了一种失败的经济理论的俘虏。自从罗纳尔多·里根和布什执政以来，我们的工资收入已从世界第一滑落到第十三。

四年前，总统候选人布什说：“美国是一个特殊的地方，不是在联合国的名册处于阿尔巴尼亚和津巴布韦之间的随随便便的一个什么国家。”今天，在现任总统布什的领导下，我们的经济已然可悲地落到了德国和斯里兰卡之间。

对绝大多数美国人而言，总统先生，比起你的政府执政以前，生活变得更少仁爱，更少温暖。

听听他们的呼声，在这方面多一些努力！

我们的国家滑落得如此之远，如此之快，以致几个月前，日本首相竟然说，他“同情美国”。“同情”？当我成了你们的总统，这世界上其他地方，其他地方的人们将不再怜悯地俯视美国，而是再一次怀着敬意仰视我们。

为解决我们的经济问题，乔治·布什做了什么呢？

呃，四年前今天，他许诺要带来一千五百万新的就业机会，现在他却造成了超过一千四百万的职位短缺。阿尔·戈尔和我能做得更好。

他增加那些驾驶皮卡货车的人们的税负，却为那些乘坐豪华轿车的人们减税。我们能做得更好。

他承诺要平衡预算，却始终光说不练。事实上，他向国会提交的预算案使我们的负债翻了将近一番。更糟的是，他浪费数十亿美元并削减我们在教育以及创造就业机会方面的投资。我们能做得更好。

因此，如果你厌恶并倦怠于一个不努力创造就业机会的政府，如果你厌恶并倦怠于一个机关算尽来对付你的税收系统，如果你厌恶并倦怠于债务的急剧增长和对未来投资的持续削减；或者，像人权先驱范尼·娄·哈默所说，你只是厌恶并倦怠于总是“厌恶并倦怠”，那么，加入我们，让我们一同工作一同胜利，我们能够使我们的国家成为真正意义上的国家。

眼下，乔治·布什正在谈论一个美妙的“竞赛”，可他却没有任何“竞赛”计划来重建美国——从城市到郊区到乡村——以使我们能够参与全球经济的竞争并再次赢得胜利。但是，我有。

他不敢同庞大的保险公司、官僚机构较量以控制医疗保健的成本，给我们一种所有美国人都支付得起的保健服务。但是，我敢。

他甚至不愿采纳他自己的艾滋病防治委员会的建议；但是，我愿。

他不会提高政府效率改变其工作方式，裁减十万官员给美国城市的街道增加十万新警官；但是，我会。

他从未平衡过政府预算，但是我已经平衡了十一次。

他不想打破特殊利益集团对选举的束缚，不想排除各种游说团体对政府的干扰；但是，我想。

他不愿让父母们有起码的机会在他们的孩子出生或他们的双亲患病时享受带薪假期；但是，我让。

我们正在以惊人的速度失去我们的农庄，但他却不肯承诺让家庭保住他们的农庄；但是，我承诺。

关于毒品他说了很多，他却不肯帮助第一线的人们发动缉毒灭罪的战役；但是，我肯。他不能带头保护环境并利用环保科技为二十一世纪创造新的工作机会；但是，我能。你们知道吗？他没有阿尔·戈尔；但是，我有。我怕，我怕你们没注意到——“戈尔”的最后一个字母是“E”。

并且，乔治·布什，乔治·布什不愿保证妇女选择的权利；但是，我保证。听我说，我并不赞成“流产”；我只是坚决赞成“选择”。我相信那艰难而痛苦的选择应该留给美国的妇女去做。

我希望个人的隐私权能够得到保护而且我们无须在政治论坛上再来讨论这个问题。然而我的年龄足以让我记得罗伊·佛·威德以前的情形，我不想回到那把人工流产的妇女和她们的医生看作罪犯的时代。

就业机会、学校教育、医疗保健，这些不是挂在我嘴上的承诺，而是我毕生的工作。“何者优先”必须清楚——我们将再次把人民放在第一位。然而这种“优先”若无清晰的行动计划就只是空洞的言辞。要将美丽的言辞变成现实，我们就必须彻底改变政府的处事方式。否则，我们将继续把数十亿美元扔进下水道。

共和党人反对大政府的选战已经持续了一个时代。但是你们注意到没有，他们竟然将这个政府运行了整整一个时代而未作任何改变！他们不想稳定政府，他们还是要发动选战来反对它，这就是全部事实。

但是，我的民主党伙伴们，是时候了，让我们明白我们也必须做出某些改变。政府并没有一个解决所有问题的万全之策。如果我们要让政府帮助人民，我们就必须让它再次运转起来。

因为我们承诺在这次大会在这个讲坛上做出这些改变。用罗斯·佩罗自己今天的话来说，我们是新生的民主党，新生的民主党人。

我十分清楚，数十万人正聚集在罗斯·佩罗的旗帜周围，组成了一支要求变革的爱国者的大军。今晚，我要对他们说，加入我们吧，让我们一起使美国获得新生。

眼下，我还没有全部的答案，然而我确信老一套行不通。积极投资的经济理论已经破产。庞大的官僚体系——无论是私营的还是公立的——都失败了。

这就是为什么我们要给政府找一条新的途径。一个更多授权而非集权的政府；一个给在校的——在公立学校的——年轻人更多的选择，给接受长期保健的老年人和残疾人更多的选择的政府；一个更像引导者而非定义者的政府；一个增加机会而非扩充官僚机构的政府；一个明了就业机会只能来自活泼的生机勃勃的自由企业体系的政府。

我把这条新的途径叫做“新的契约”——一个人民和政府之间的庄严的协议，它并不简单地立足于我们能从国家索取什么，更立足于我们必须向国家奉献什么。

我们提供基于传统价值之上的新的选择。我们提供机会，我们要求责任。我们将重建美国社会。我们提供的选择，既不是保守主义的，也不是自由主义的；从更丰富的层面看，甚 4 至既不是共和主义的也不是民主主义的。它是截然不同的，它是全新的。它将有效。它所以有效，因为它深深地植根于美国人民所信守的价值和美国人民对未来的憧憬之中。

乔治·布什说过的话中我不能同意的，可能也是最让我厌烦的，是他对美国人民寻求和探索更美好的未来这一传统的嘲笑和贬低。他嘲笑这憧憬是“泡影”。

然而，我们只要想想圣经的教谕：“没有憧憬，人民便趋于灭亡。”

我希望，我希望，今晚，在这个大会堂，在我们这个可爱的国家，没有谁在迈向明天时心里没有憧憬。我希望没有谁在养育子女时心里没有憧憬。我希望没有谁在开始自己的事业或在地里种植庄稼时心里没有憧憬。因为，“没有憧憬，人民便趋于灭亡。”

这个国家如此多的孩子在如此多的方面陷入如此多的麻烦，原因之一，便是他们看到的是如此少的机会，如此少的责任心，如此少的充满爱和关怀的社区。以致他们甚至无法想象我们召唤他们去过的那种新的生活。

因此，我要重申：没有憧憬，美国将趋于灭亡。

那么，我们和未来的新的契约中包含怎样的憧憬呢？

一个有着数百万新的就业机会的有着十多个新兴产业的，自信地迈向二十一世纪美国。一个这样的美国，她向企业家和生意人宣告：我们将提供比以前更多的激励和机会让你们提高工人的技能，在全球经济中为美国创造更多的就业机会更多的财富；但是你们必须做好你们的本分，你们必须尽自己的责任。美国的公司必须再次像美国公司那样行动——输出我们的产品而不是就业机会。

这就是新契约的应有之意。

一个这样的美国，在那里，高校的大门将再次为速记员和炼钢工人的子女们敞开。我们将宣布：每个人都可贷款进入高校，但是你们必须尽你们的本分：你们必须偿还，用你们未来的薪金——或者更好一些——回到你们的家乡服务于你们的社区。

只要想想，想想这样一幅图景：千千万万精神充沛的青年男女服务于他们的国家——维护治安，教育儿童，看护病人照顾老人残疾人，或帮助年青人使他们远离毒品和帮派。它必然给我们所有人一种感觉，一种充满无限可能和希望的感觉。

这就是新契约的应有之意。

一个这样的美国，在那里，医疗保健是基本权利而非特权；在那里，我们要告诉我们的人民：“你们的政府终于有勇气挑战医疗保健行业的奸商，提供每个家庭能够支付得起的医疗服务。” 但是你们必须尽你们的本分。做好预防工作——搞好妊娠卫生，搞好儿童免疫；珍惜生命，节约金钱，避免家庭悲剧的发生。

这就是新契约的应有之意。

这样一个美国，中产阶级的收入而非他们的税负将持续增长。这样一个美国，是的，在那里少数最富的人那些年收入超过二十万美元的人将被要求承担公平的税负。这样一个美国，在那里富人不只是湿湿鞋，中产阶级也不会淹死——责任必须从最上层开始。

这就是新契约的应有之意。一个这样的美国，在那里我们将如根据我们的了解为社会福利规定限度。我们要对那些依靠福利的人说：你们将享有，你们也应该享有——机会，完备的训练和教育，完善的儿童抚育和医疗保障以充分发掘你们的潜能。但是那以后，只要可能你就必须工作，因为社会福利只是辅助的手段，而不是生活方式。

这就是新契约的应有之意。

一个这样的美国，它拥有世界上最强大的防卫力量，必要时它能够并且愿意使用武力。一个这样的美国，它站在维持和保护我们公共环境增加全球植被的最前线。一个这样的美国，它不会纵容暴君——从巴格达到北京。一个这样的美国，它支持自由和民主的事业——从东欧到南非，在我们自己所在的半球 5 在海地在古巴。

冷战的结束，允许我们在保持世界最强大的防卫力量的同时削减国防开支，但是我们必须把削减下的每一个美元都用于在国内创造就业机会。我深知世界需要一个强大的美国，但是我们都认识到力量源自国内。

然而，这个新的契约不仅涉及你们和你们家庭的机会和责任，它更涉及我们共同的社会。今晚，你们每一个人都深知我们有太多的分歧。是时候了，让美国“痊愈”。

因此，我必须告诉每一个美国人，超越那些使我们盲目的陈腐偏见。我们彼此需要——我们所有人——我们彼此需要。我们没有一个多余的人。但是太久了，政客们总是说我们中的多数都做得不错，真正对美国有害的只是剩下的那些人——他们。

他们，少数族裔；他们，自由主义者；他们，穷人；他们，无家可归者；他们，残疾人；他们，同性恋者。

我们已经快要被“他们”置于死地。他们，他们，他们！但是，这里是美国，这里没有“他们”，只有“我们”！

“上帝庇佑之下，一个不可分割的国家，自由正义属于所有的人。” 这就是我们的《效忠誓言》，这就是新契约的应有之意。

为何我知道我们能聚合起来让变革发生？因为我已看到它发生在我自己的州。在阿肯色，我们同心协力并取得了进展。不，没有什么阿肯色奇迹，只有许多奇迹般的阿肯色人。因为他们，我们的学校更好，我们的工资更高，我们的工厂更忙，我们的水源更清，而且我们的预算平衡。我们正在稳步向前。

我希望能对现任总统治下的美国说同样的话。他领导了世界上最富有的国家却让她走了下坡路。我们接管的是美国最穷的州，但是我们让她向上走。

所以我要对那些在这选战正酣的时节试图批评阿肯色的人们说：住口！尤其对那些来自华盛顿的家伙，我要说，住口！的确，你们将看到我们正在努力奋斗以解决一些尚未解决的问题，你们也将看到那么多杰出的人正在从事令人惊讶的工作，从中你们也许可以学到一些东西。

说到底，我的美国同胞们，这个新的契约只是要求我们再次成为真正的美国人，新时代的传统的美国人——机会、责任、社会。

只要我们团结起来，就将推动美国向前。回顾这个国家的全部历史，我们一次又一次地看到，只要我们万众一心，我们前进的步伐就无可阻挡。

我们能够抓住这个时刻，让作为美国人再次成为令人激动精神焕发无上光荣的事情。我们能够重建我们的信念，我们能够重建举国一致的认识。

正如圣经所说：“我们所能成就的，非我们的眼睛所曾见过，非我们的耳朵所曾听闻，非我们的头脑所能想象。”

然而，我不能单打独斗，没有哪个总统能。我们必须同心协力。它并不轻松，也不会很快完成。我们不是一夜之间陷入困境的，我们也不可能一夜之间摆脱困境。凭着承诺、创造、多样性和无穷的动力，我们能够完成。

我们能够完成。我们能够完成。我们能够完成。

我要求这个会场的每一个人，这个国家的每一个人，伸出手来，和我们一起开始新的伟大的冒险，勇敢地描绘我们辉煌的未来。

作为十几岁的少年，我曾聆听约翰·肯尼迪呼唤公民权利义务的演讲。那以后，作为乔治城大学的学生，我又聆听了卡罗尔·奎格利教授对此所做的阐释。他告诉我们，美国是历史上最伟大的国家，因为我们的人民坚信两条：

一、明天会比今天更好；

二、我们每一个人 6 都在道德上都有责任让它成为现实。

那样，那样一种未来，在我们的女儿切尔西降生之时走进了我的生命。当我站在产房之中，我被一个想法所压倒：上帝给了我一个我父亲不能领会的祝福——把自己的孩子抱在怀里。

此刻，在美国的某个地方一个孩子正在降生。让它成为我们的事业：给那孩子一个幸福的家园，一个健康的家庭，一个充满希望的未来。让它成为我们的事业：给那孩子一个机会，实现上帝赋予她的全部潜能。

让它成为我们的事业：看护那孩子，让他健壮、安全，让他在家庭和朋友的支持下迎接生活的挑战而从不单枪匹马，让他树立一个信念——在美国，没有谁被遗弃，没有谁落在后面。

让它成为，让它成为我们的事业：只要那孩子能够，她将做出回报，回报她的孩子、她的社区、她的国家。让它成为我们的事业：给那孩子一个日益团结而不是趋于分裂的国家，一个充满无限希望无穷梦想的国家，一个再次振奋人民激励世界的国家。让它成为我们的事业我们的承诺我们的新的契约。

我的美国同胞们，今晚我在这里结束我的演讲，一切将从这里开始。我始终相信一个地方——它就是希望。

上帝保佑你们，上帝保佑美国。