奥巴马当选总统与农民工办暂住证

第一篇：奥巴马当选总统与农民工办暂住证

美国人为奥巴马的欢呼 拷问中国人荣辱观

奥巴马当选总统与农民工办暂住证

[1667](2008-11-09)

祖籍非洲、出身黑人血统的奥巴马当选为美国下一任总统，给中国人（当然包括我）的心理冲击当是非常巨大的。就在我们的中学教材还在不遗余力地向学生灌输美国存在种族歧视的罪恶时，奥巴马当选却再一次彰显了自由、平等、开放、包容的社会制度的伟大，再一次激起了人们对真正自由、平等、包容、和谐的社会的向往。

没人能否认，美国的强大与先进来自于其自身制度与文化的相对先进，特别是其敞开胸怀、自信坦荡、包容一切、平等相处、自由发展等等制度与文化，吸引了世界众多优秀人才不远万里，争先恐后投入其怀抱。这是真正的以制度的自由、自信、创新为基础的“天下归心”。没有人能否认，奥巴马的胜出得益于这一制度与文化。没有人能否认，奥巴马的胜选，将标志着美国的开放包容的制度与文化又向前进了一大步，又是美国人，将人类的政治文明向前推进了一大步。

然而，回顾我们自己，我们不能不为自己在通往自由平等包容的理想之路上如蜗牛爬行般的速度而羞愧。我们虽然没有所谓的“种族歧视”，但我们的国民至今还被户口人为地分为两等乃至几等——说的不客气一点，它的歧视程度在某些方面一点也不亚于当年美国的“种族歧视”。城乡之间、大小城市之间户口制度森严壁垒。不同户口，“享受”的入学、医疗、就业、养老保障几乎有天壤之别。“农民工”进城找个卖力流汗的工作，还得花钱办个“暂住证”。就在前几年，被查到没带“暂住证”，还要被抓被关，那位大学生孙志刚甚至还为此送了命。现在虽然一些地方名义上“取消暂住证”，代之以“居住证”，但几乎又是换汤不换药。农村进入城市的“农民工”，更不用说可以享受到选举权与被选举权。

严酷的城乡分割、地域分割，不但直接限制了人身自由，限制了公民的自由发展权，直接伤害了相当一部分公民的合法权益，也直接拖延经济发展的步伐。由于最广大的农民“享受”的是“二等国民”的待遇，消费能力严重不足，“内需不足”已经成为中国经济继续发展的最大障碍。也因此，我们的社会至今仍然对立严重，仇恨暴戾之气弥漫，一个偶发的事件、一点小小的火星便能激发起一场规模浩大的动荡，最终让我们每个人都成为受害者。更何况，一个连国民居住在哪里都不得自由的社会，怎么能吸引的了世界性的人才？ 当然，美国的种族问题的弥合也来之不易。就在上世纪六十年代，种族歧视问题还非常严重，为争取种族平等，民权活动家马丁·路德金博士还为此付出了生命代价。但美国社会敢于正视所有族群的利益诉求，敢于敞开所有的利益诉求渠道，甚至容忍马丁·路德金博士公开鼓动黑人们“向华盛顿进军”以讨公道。此后的种族问题几乎都能在体制的法律的框架内得以重视，短短四十多年，这个问题就得到了如此彻底的解决。美国的发展进步经验表明，只有各种利益诉求得以充分展现、交流、沟通、包容、磨合之后的社会才是真正和谐的社会。

反观我们，“自由、平等、解放”喊了多少年，但至今，我们的一些国民在自己的国土上，仍要办理“暂住证”，社会保障、政治地位的平等更是遥不可及。

奥巴马当选美国总统与我们的农民工得办理暂住证的对比，也彰显了我们某些治理思维的落后。那就是，漠视弱势群体的利益诉求，以某些人自己单方面设定、不容置辩的“国情特色”“顾全大局”作为拖延改革、惰政懒政不作为的借口。在某些人眼里，对庞大的弱势群体的利益诉求充耳不闻视而不见就是没有问题，压制住正当的利益诉求就是没有诉求，直至眼睁睁看到社会矛盾就此积聚爆发而不可收拾。

最后，让我们借用马丁·路德金博士的口吻，表达我们的梦想——

我有一个梦想，我梦想有一天，我们的人民可以根据自己的意愿与消费能力，居住在自己愿意居住的地方。

我梦想有一天，乡下的孩子能和城里的孩子一样坐在宽敞明亮的教室里，共叙兄弟情义，一起享受老师

们借用先进的多媒体设备辅助的精彩的教学。

我梦想有一天，河南、湖北、四川的孩子能享受与北京孩子一样的重点大学录取率。

我梦想有一天，我们的孩子将生活在这样的社会：评价他们的不是户口和出身，而是他们的品格优劣。„„

中国要成为伟大的国家，这样的梦想必须要实现，也一定能实现！

温州 林明理

《联合早报网》

美国人为奥巴马的欢呼 拷问中国人荣辱观

[1797](2009-01-28)

奥巴马终于上任了。1月20日的就职典礼，吸引了全美国乃至全世界的眼球，几乎所有的美国人，不管当初是支持奥巴马还是希拉里或是后来的共和党籍对手麦凯恩，都为这一刻而欢呼、激动。他们为自己的国家能公平公正选出这样一位祖籍非洲、具黑人血统的总统而骄傲，为自己能生活在这样一个自由、包容、平等、公正、和谐的国度而自豪。普通美国人为奥巴马就任总统而发自内心的这种欢呼，也不停地激荡着世界其他国家许多民众的心。作为中国人，面对奥巴马那激动人心的演说（可叹中国官媒又一次神经过敏愚蠢删除“关键”语句，结果主动“对号入座”，成了自认的批评象，还再次成为国际媒体关注的话题），面对就职典礼现场那一幅幅感人的画面，我的心情同样久久不能平静——

因为，就在美国人为自己能出现一个黑人总统而自豪、荣耀，将自由、包容、平等、公正作为崇高的价值观而追求并引以为傲的同时，在我们这，我们仍然以地域、户口、民族、政治身份、宗教信仰，乃至身高、长相、年龄等等因素，人为地极不合理地将国人同胞简单粗暴地划分为一个又一个层次、等级，而不少位居高层次或自以为占据了高层次的同胞，正洋洋自得于自己的既有“层次”，并轻视、鄙视乃至厌恶、排斥比自己层次低的同胞。于是，我们不但仍然看到森严壁垒般的户口歧视制度，更看到北京某些政协委员、大学教授要求立法加大限制“外地低素质人口”进京的赫然提议。我们不但看到“在北京人眼里，其他地方的都是下级；在上海人眼里，其他地方的都是乡下人；在广州人眼里，其他地方的都是‘北佬’”这一典型“中国特色”的调侃，看到“北京最排外、上海最势利”的就业环境调查结果（中新网11月18日），更看到到处存在的“城里看不起乡下，本地看不起外地，沿海看不起内陆，平原看不起山区”的地域歧视。我们不但看到某地公务员招聘中要女性 “乳房对称” 的标准，更看到奥运开幕式上嫌正在换牙的女孩“形象不好”而举世瞩目的公然假唱。我们不但看到权贵阶层、暴富群体面对平民阶层表现出权力与财富的傲慢狂妄，更看到他们企图绑架政治权力并要将既得垄断利益予以制度固化、代代传递的处心积虑、机关算尽„„

试问今日之中国，有多少“北京人”能做到像吴青（北京外国语大学教师，北京市人大代表，冰心之女）那样，面对与自己“毫不相干”的外来民工、弱势群体、底层同胞，平等热诚相待，倾一腔热血，主动为他们解烦忧、讨说法，将他人承受的不公看作是对自己的不公，而不是沾沾自喜于自己拥有的“北京户口”，将外来民工斥之为“低素质”，乃至冷眼视之、极力排斥？有多少“先富起来”的成功人士能做到像孙大午（河北大午农牧集团有限公司董事长）一样，面对尚处贫困的同胞，倾全力相扶，为此不惜冒犯无耻官僚集团、忍受无辜牢狱之灾，而不是显富摆阔、傲视贫弱？有多少充分享受现体制保护的“体制内”人士能做到像艾未未（艺术家，诗人艾青之子）、卢跃刚（中青报著名记者）、许志永（著名人权活动家、维权律师，北京邮电大学教师）一般，面对与自己同样“毫不相关”的被侮辱被损害者，倾情关注，不遗余力持续鸣冤，将别人忍受屈辱当作自己和这个国家的耻辱，而不是漠然视之、暗自庆幸？有

多少位居庙堂之高者能做到像温家宝、马英九那般谦卑地面对权力面对历史面对人民，而不是醉心迷恋于炙手可热的权势？又有几个权贵子弟能自觉摆脱父母荫蔽自强自立，将落后的等级制度、特权情结、歧视文化视为对所有人的不公，视为对所有人包括对自己的危害并自觉厌弃，而不是傲慢狂妄、不可一世？„„

人类历史进程一再启示人们，特权等级制度虽然能在资源有限的社会里优先保障某一部分人奢侈享受，但等级制度、歧视文化互为因果，引发社会仇恨对立，引发暴戾对抗，最终危害所有人。古今中外，还没有谁能让自己靠野蛮争夺非法攫取的特权与财富永蔽子孙，永传后世（最长的李氏唐朝也不到三百年，而即使是自家相传，也充满血腥暴力），相反，那弥漫的暴戾仇恨往往只使得后代为偿还祖债而付出过于惨重的代价，只有平等、博爱、民主、法治的社会才能为每一个人的幸福安宁提供最大保障！中青报几年前一篇针对“高考制度不公正”问题的评论文章也指出：在一个不公正的社会，你可能占据某些“便宜”，但你没理由为此而沾沾自喜，因为你更可能在另外的地方遭遇更大的不公。所以，在美国人将自由、包容、平等、公正作为崇高的价值观而追求而欢呼的时刻，我们不能不为自己的生存环境、为这样的制度文化而羞愧汗颜！

奥巴马当选并就任总统，也没有那个美国人会当心自己国家正因此被非洲人（或肯尼亚人）“和平演变”，没有哪个人会担心自己的国家正被“非洲势力”不断渗透，没有哪个美国白人会担心大权正在“旁落”，国家政权正在“变（黑）色”。反观于我们某些人神经兮兮般不断要“筑防线”的极端不自信，我们不能不再一次唏嘘感叹！

最后，让我们再次借用马丁·路德· 金 博士的口吻，表达我们的梦想——

我有一个梦想，我梦想有一天，我们的国家能真正实践她早已体现在庄严宪法中的崇高理念：“人人生而平等，此乃不言而喻之真理。”

我梦想有一天，地域、户口、民族、政治身份、宗教信仰等等的樊篱将彻底拆除，不同层次、等级之间的人为鸿沟将会填平，每个国民能生活在真正自由、包容、平等、公正基础之上的真正和谐的社会，并因此而共享平等的发展机会。

我梦想有一天，决定我们人生成就的不是户口、地域、身份、长相，而是我们的品格、能力与我们的努力。

我梦想有一天，我们的国人同胞也将把自由、平等、包容、公正作为崇高的价值追求，而将形形色色的制度隔离、等级歧视看作是一个国家的耻辱。

„„

并且，我还有一个梦想，我梦想有那么一天，我们也能在自由公正基础之上选出一个全心全意为全体中国人服务的藏人主席（总统）或维吾尔人、蒙古人及其他少数族裔主席（总统），选出一个来自香港或澳门、台湾的主席（总统），乃至美裔、欧裔、日裔、非洲裔的主席（总统）。

当这一天到来的时候，我们也能像今天的美国人那样，不分地域、户口、民族、政治身份、宗教信仰，不分身高、长相、年龄，发自内心地一起欢呼：中国啊，您也是我们从心底里倍感幸福自豪扬眉吐气，因而让我们至死不渝衷心爱戴的伟大的国家！您也是真正赢得全世界尊重信赖并以制度的自由平等包容自信赢得全世界人才“四海归心”的伟大国家！您也是世界其他发展中国家文明进步的真正标杆！

当这一天到来的时候，让我们也欣慰而自豪地祭告几千年来一直轮回在“想做奴隶而不得”与“暂时做稳了奴隶”两个时代之间（鲁迅语）的列祖列宗，祭告为这一天的到来呕心沥血操过劳、流过汗、受过屈、抛过头颅、洒过热血的先贤先烈：终于实现了，这一天我们也终于实现了！

温州 林明理

《联合早报网》

第二篇：奥巴马当选演讲

Hello, Chicago.您好，芝加哥。

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.如果还有人仍在怀疑美国是否是一个一切皆有可能的国度的话，如果还有人仍在疑虑我们美国的缔造者的梦想是否还存在于我们这个时代的话，如果还有人仍在质疑

我们民主的力量的话，今晚你就可以得到答案。

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.它的答案告诉延伸线，围绕学校和教堂的人数这个民族从未见过的，等待三个小时，四个小时的人们，许多第一次在他们的生活，因为他们认为，这次一定是不同的，他们的声音可能是不同的。

It's the answer spoken by young and old, rich and poor, Democrat and Republican, black, white, Hispanic, Asian, Native American, gay, straight, disabled and not disabled.Americans who sent a message to the world that we have never been just a collection of individuals or a collection of red states and blue states.不管你是年轻人还是老年人，是富人还是穷人，是民主党人还是共和党人，是黑人还是白人，也不管你是拉丁美洲人或亚洲人还是本土美国人，更无论你是否为同性变者、是否是残疾人，这是美国人共同的答案。美国人向全世界传递一个声音，那就是我们的选举从不分红州或蓝州。We are, and always will be, the United States of America.我们属于，而且永远只属于美利坚合众国。

It's the answer that led those who've been told for so long by so many to be cynical and fearful and doubtful about what we can achieve to put their hands on the arc of history and bend it once more toward the hope of a better day.它的答案，导致这些谁一直在说这么长时间这么多的是玩世不恭和恐惧和怀疑是我们能够实现把他们手中的弧的历史和弯曲再次向希望一个更美好的一天。

It's been a long time coming, but tonight, because of what we did on this date in this election at this defining moment change has come to America.虽然等待了很长时间，但在今晚的这一决定性时刻，由于我们在这次选举中的努力，美国终于迎来了变革。A little bit earlier this evening, I received an extraordinarily gracious call from Sen.McCain.今天傍晚稍早的时候，我接到麦凯恩参议员一个特别亲切的电话。

Sen.McCain fought long and hard in this campaign.And he's fought even longer and harder for the country that he loves.He has endured sacrifices for America that most of us cannot begin to imagine.We are better off for the service rendered by this brave and selfless leader.在竞选过程中，他坚持不懈，努力了很长时间，而且他还会为他所热爱的国家继续更加努力。他已经为美国奉献了太多，以到于我们许多人都无法想象。我们必须要更好地服务于我们的祖国，以补偿这位勇敢而无私的领导人。

I congratulate him;I congratulate Gov.Palin for all that they've achieved.And I look forward to working with them to renew this nation's promise in the months ahead.我祝贺他以及佩林此前取得的所有成绩，而且我希望能够与他们合作，重申数月前我们对国家所做的承诺。

I want to thank my partner in this journey, a man who campaigned from his heart, and spoke for the men and women he grew up with on the streets of Scranton and rode with on the train home to Delaware, the vice president-elect of the United States, Joe Biden.我要感谢在这个征途上我的合作伙伴，一名男子从谁竞选他的心，并以对男性和女性，他成长起来的街道上骑着顿和同在火车上家美国特拉华州，副总统当选美国，乔-拜登。

And I would not be standing here tonight without the unyielding support of my best friend for the last 16 years the rock of our family, the love of my life, the nation's next first lady Michelle Obama.在过去16年间，如果没有我最好朋友的坚定支持，没有我家庭成员的强力支撑，没有我妻子，也就美国未来的第一夫人米歇尔-奥巴马无私的爱，今晚我不可能站在这里。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.马莉娅和萨莎，我也非常爱你们，你们肯定也沉浸在即将入住白宫的喜悦之中。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.然而，我的外祖母已永远离开了我们，但我知道她也正和所有支持我的家人一样在看着我。我今晚非常想念他们，而且知道我欠他们的太多。

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.我的妹妹玛雅，我的妹妹阿尔玛，我的所有其他的兄弟姐妹们，感谢你们给了我这么多的一切支持，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.和我的竞选顾问大卫-Plouffe，此次竞选的无名英雄，我认为，是他打造了美利坚合众国历史上最好的-最好的政治运动。To my chief strategist David Axelrod who's been a partner with me every step of the way.我的首席策略师大卫——阿克塞尔罗德，在一个合作伙伴与我的每一步。

To the best campaign team ever assembled in the history of politics you made this happen, and I am forever grateful for what you've sacrificed to get it done.最好的竞选团队以往任何时候都聚集在历史上的政治你这一点，我永远感谢您什么牺牲得到工作要做。

But above all, I will never forget who this victory truly belongs to.It belongs to you.It belongs to you.但最重要的是，我永远不会忘记这场胜利的所有者，胜利属于你们，胜利属于你们。

I was never the likeliest candidate for this office.We didn't start with much money or many endorsements.Our campaign was not hatched in the halls of Washington.It began in the backyards of Des Moines and the living rooms of Concord and the front porches of Charleston.It was built by working men and women who dug into what little savings they had to give $5 and $10 and $20 to the cause.我从来没有对可能的候选人，这个办公室。我们没有开始多少钱或许多签注。我们的运动是不能孵化的大厅华盛顿。它开始在后院得梅因和客厅的和谐与前面门廊的查尔斯顿。这是由工作男性和女性谁挖成小储蓄，他们不得不放弃5美元和10美元和20美元的事业。

It grew strength from the young people who rejected the myth of their generation's apathy who left their homes and their families for jobs that offered little pay and less sleep.它成长的力量的年轻人谁拒绝他们神话一代人的冷漠谁离开他们的家园和他们的家属就业提供一点工资和少睡觉。It drew strength from the not-so-young people who braved the bitter cold and scorching heat to knock on doors of perfect strangers, and from the millions of Americans who volunteered and organized and proved that more than two centuries later a government of the people, by the people, and for the people has not perished from the Earth.它提请强度从不那么谁年轻人冒着严寒和酷暑敲门，门完美的陌生人，并从数以百万计的美国人谁自愿组织和证明，两个多世纪后，人民的政府由人民，为人民还没有灭亡的地球。This is your victory.这是你们的胜利。And I know you didn't do this just to win an election.And I know you didn't do it for me.我知道你们没有这样做只是为了赢得大选。我知道你们因为多而没有这样做。

You did it because you understand the enormity of the task that lies ahead.For even as we celebrate tonight, we know the challenges that tomorrow will bring are the greatest of our lifetime--two wars, a planet in peril, the worst financial crisis in a century.你这样做，是因为你明白艰巨性的任务摆在面前。即使在我们庆祝的今晚，我们知道，明天的挑战将是最大的我们的有生之年-两场战争，地球处于危险，最严重的金融危机的一个世纪。Even as we stand here tonight, we know there are brave Americans waking up in the deserts of Iraq and the mountains of Afghanistan to risk their lives for us.即使我们今晚站在这里，我们知道有勇敢的美国人起床在沙漠伊拉克和阿富汗山区冒着生命危险为我们。

There are mothers and fathers who will lie awake after the children fall asleep and wonder how they'll make the mortgage or pay their doctors' bills or save enough for their child's college education.有父亲和母亲谁将躺在清醒后的孩子入睡和不知道他们会作抵押或支付其医生的法案或储存足够的孩子的大学教育。

There's new energy to harness, new jobs to be created, new schools to build, and threats to meet, alliances to repair.有新能源可以利用，新的工作岗位要建立，新的学校建设，和威胁去处理，联盟要修理。

The road ahead will be long.Our climb will be steep.We may not get there in one year or even in one term.But, America, I have never been more hopeful than I am tonight that we will get there.未来的路还很长，而且我们正在艰难地攀登在陡峭的山坡之上。我们未必能够在一年或是在一个总统任期之内达到目标，但美国肯定可以。我们肯定可以达到目标，此前我从未有今天晚上的如此信心。

I promise you, we as a people will get there.我向你们承诺，我们肯定可以。

There will be setbacks and false starts.There are many who won't agree with every decision or policy I make as president.And we know the government can't solve every problem.当然，这一过程肯定还会出现挫折，甚至是不成功的开始。我作为总统所做出的决策，肯定也会有许多人并不赞同。我们知道政府并不能解决所有问题。

But I will always be honest with you about the challenges we face.I will listen to you, especially when we disagree.And, above all, I will ask you to join in the work of remaking this nation, the only way it's been done in America for 221 years--block by block, brick by brick, calloused hand by calloused hand.但我也会向你们诚恳地交待我们所面临的挑战。我会认真听从你们的建议，尤其是意见不一致的时候。总之，我邀请你们加入到国家再建的工作之中。221年来，我们的国家就是这样一砖一瓦，一点一滴地建造起来的。

What began 21 months ago in the depths of winter cannot end on this autumn night.我们开始于21个月前深冬，不会结束在今年的这个秋天的夜晚结束。This victory alone is not the change we seek.It is only the chance for us to make that change.And that cannot happen if we go back to the way things were.这仅仅是胜利而不是我们所寻求的变化。这是唯一的机会，我们做出的改变。并能不会发生，如果我们回到这样的。

It can't happen without you, without a new spirit of service, a new spirit of sacrifice.没有你，没有一种新的服务精神，新的牺牲精神，它不能发生。So let us summon a new spirit of patriotism, of responsibility, where each of us resolves to pitch in and work harder and look after not only ourselves but each other.因此，让我们拿出一个新的爱国主义精神，责任感，在我们每个人都决心在球场和努力，并期待后，不仅自己，而且对方。

Let us remember that, if this financial crisis taught us anything, it's that we cannot have a thriving Wall Street while Main Street suffers.让我们记住，如果此次金融危机告诉我们什么，那就是我们不可能拥有一个蓬勃发展的华尔街，当主街受到影响时。

In this country, we rise or fall as one nation, as one people.Let's resist the temptation to fall back on the same partisanship and pettiness and immaturity that has poisoned our politics for so long.在这个国家，我们的兴衰，作为一个民族，作为一个人。让我们抵制诱惑，回到属于同一党派和鸡毛蒜皮的小事和不成熟有毒害我们的政治这么久。

Let's remember that it was a man from this state who first carried the banner of the Republican Party to the White House, a party founded on the values of self-reliance and individual liberty and national unity.让我们铭记，是这个州的人第一次将共和党的旗帜扛进了白宫，(共和党)是一个将价值观建立在自信、个人自由以及国家团结基础上的政党。

Those are values that we all share.And while the Democratic Party has won a great victory tonight, we do so with a measure of humility and determination to heal the divides that have held back our progress.我们所有人都信奉这一价值。民主党今晚获得了巨大的胜利，但我们未来将用谦卑和决心来弥补竞选过程中产生的裂痕。As Lincoln said to a nation far more divided than ours, we are not enemies but friends.Though passion may have strained, it must not break our bonds of affection.正如林肯所说，我们不是敌人，而是朋友。我们决不能成为敌人，尽管目前的情绪有些紧张，但决不能容许它使我们之间的亲密情感纽带破裂。And to those Americans whose support I have yet to earn, I may not have won your vote tonight, but I hear your voices.I need your help.And I will be your president, too.对于那些支持我的美国人，以及那些没有将选票投给我的人，我倾听到了你们的声音，我需要得到你们的帮助，而我也同样是你们的总统。

And to all those watching tonight from beyond our shores, from parliaments and palaces, to those who are huddled around radios in the forgotten corners of the world, our stories are singular, but our destiny is shared, and a new dawn of American leadership is at hand.和所有观看今晚从超出了我们的海岸，来自议会和宫殿，那些谁是围着收音机中被遗忘的角落的世界，我们的故事是独特的，但我们的命运是共同的，新的曙光美国领导在手。To those--to those who would tear the world down: We will defeat you.To those who seek peace and security: We support you.And to all those who have wondered if America's beacon still burns as bright: Tonight we proved once more that the true strength of our nation comes not from the might of our arms or the scale of our wealth, but from the enduring power of our ideals: democracy, liberty, opportunity and unyielding hope.那些-那些谁将世界撕裂了：我们将打败你。这些谁寻求和平与安全的：我们支持你。对于所有那些疑惑美国的灯塔是否还会继续明亮燃烧的人，今夜我们将再次证明，我们国家的力量并不是来源来我们的胳膊的臂力，也不是来源于我们的财富，而是源自于我们理念的持久力量。这些理念包括：民主、自由、机会以及坚贞不屈的希望。

That's the true genius of America: that America can change.Our union can be perfected.What we've already achieved gives us hope for what we can and must achieve tomorrow.这是真正的天才合众国：美国会发生变化。我们的工会可以完善。我们已经取得了让我们希望我们能够而且必须实现的明天。This election had many firsts and many stories that will be told for generations.But one that's on my mind tonight's about a woman who cast her ballot in Atlanta.She's a lot like the millions of others who stood in line to make their voice heard in this election except for one thing: Ann Nixon Cooper is 106 years old.这次选举有许多优势，许多故事，会被告知几代人。但是，这在我脑海今晚的约一个女人谁投她的选票在亚特兰大。她就像数以百万计的其他人谁站在线，使他们的声音在这次选举中除一件事：尼克松安库珀是106岁。She was born just a generation past slavery;a time when there were no cars on the road or planes in the sky;when someone like her couldn't vote for two reasons--because she was a woman and because of the color of her skin.她出生的一代刚刚过去的奴役;当时有没有汽车在道路上或飞机在天空中;当有人能像她一样不参加表决的原因有两个-因为她是一名女子，由于她的颜色皮肤。

And tonight, I think about all that she's seen throughout her century in America--the heartache and the hope;the struggle and the progress;the times we were told that we can't, and the people who pressed on with that American creed: Yes we can.今晚，我想所有的，她在整个看到她在美国的世纪-在心痛和希望;的斗争和取得的;的时候，我们被告知，我们不能，和人民谁压上与美国的信条：是我们能够做到。

At a time when women's voices were silenced and their hopes dismissed, she lived to see them stand up and speak out and reach for the ballot.Yes we can.当时妇女的声音被压制和他们的希望被驳回，她活着看到他们站起来，说出并达成的选票。是我们能够做到。

When there was despair in the dust bowl and depression across the land, she saw a nation conquer fear itself with a New Deal, new jobs, a new sense of common purpose.Yes we can.当有绝望中的尘埃和抑郁一碗全国的土地，她看到一个民族征服恐惧本身的新政，新的就业机会，一个新的共同使命感。是我们能够做到。

When the bombs fell on our harbor and tyranny threatened the world, she was there to witness a generation rise to greatness and a democracy was saved.Yes we can.当炸弹落在我们的港口和暴政威胁世界，她在那里目睹了一代产生的伟大和民主是保存。是我们能够做到。

She was there for the buses in Montgomery, the hoses in Birmingham, a bridge in Selma, and a preacher from Atlanta who told a people that “We Shall Overcome.” Yes we can.她在那里的巴士蒙哥马利，软管在英国伯明翰，桥梁塞尔玛和传教士从亚特兰大谁告诉人民，“我们克服。”是我们能够做到。A man touched down on the moon, a wall came down in Berlin, a world was connected by our own science and imagination.一名男子降落在月球上，墙上下来在柏林，世界是连接我们自己的科学和想象力。

And this year, in this election, she touched her finger to a screen, and cast her vote, because after 106 years in America, through the best of times and the darkest of hours, she knows how America can change.今年，在这次选举中，她谈到她的手指到屏幕上，她和演员投票，因为106年后，在美国，通过最好的时候和最黑暗的时间，她知道怎样可以改变美国。Yes we can.是我们能够做到。

America, we have come so far.We have seen so much.But there is so much more to do.So tonight, let us ask ourselves--if our children should live to see the next century;if my daughters should be so lucky to live as long as Ann Nixon Cooper, what change will they see? What progress will we have made?美国，我们来到迄今。我们已经看到这么多。但有这么多事情要做。因此，今夜，让我们反问一下我们自己，如果我们的孩子能够活到下个世纪；如果我的女儿能够幸运地活得像安-尼克森-库珀那样长，他们将会看到什么样的变化？我们那时将会取得什么样的进步？

This is our chance to answer that call.This is our moment.这是我们来回答问题的机会，这是我们的时刻。

This is our time, to put our people back to work and open doors of opportunity for our kids;to restore prosperity and promote the cause of peace;to reclaim the American dream and reaffirm that fundamental truth, that, out of many, we are one;that while we breathe, we hope.And where we are met with cynicism and doubts and those who tell us that we can't, we will respond with that timeless creed that sums up the spirit of a people: Yes, we can.这是我们的时代，要使我们的人民重新工作并将机会留给我们的子孙；重新恢复繁荣并促进和平；回归我们的美国梦想并重申一个基本事实--在众人之中，我们也是其中一个；当我们呼吸，当我们充满希望的时候，我们遭遇冷嘲热讽和质疑，那些人认为我们无法做到。我们将用一句话来做出回应：不，我们可以！

Thank you.God bless you.And may God bless the United States of America.谢谢您。上帝保佑你。愿上帝保佑美利坚合众国。

mp3下载地址：http://download.guardian.co.uk/audio/kip/standalone/world/1225874746775/2943/gdn.new.081105.ad.Obama-victory-speech.mp3

Hello, Chicago.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.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.It's the answer spoken by young and old, rich and poor, Democrat and Republican, black, white, Hispanic, Asian, Native American, gay, straight, disabled and not disabled.Americans who sent a message to the world that we have never been just a collection of individuals or a collection of red states and blue states.We are, and always will be, the United States of America.It's the answer that led those who've been told for so long by so many to be cynical and fearful and doubtful about what we can achieve to put their hands on the arc of history and bend it once more toward the hope of a better day.It's been a long time coming, but tonight, because of what we did on this date in this election at this defining moment change has come to America.A little bit earlier this evening, I received an extraordinarily gracious call from Sen.McCain.Sen.McCain fought long and hard in this campaign.And he's fought even longer and harder for the country that he loves.He has endured sacrifices for America that most of us cannot begin to imagine.We are better off for the service rendered by this brave and selfless leader.I congratulate him;I congratulate Gov.Palin for all that they've achieved.And I look forward to working with them to renew this nation's promise in the months ahead.I want to thank my partner in this journey, a man who campaigned from his heart, and spoke for the men and women he grew up with on the streets of Scranton and rode with on the train home to Delaware, the vice president-elect of the United States, Joe Biden.And I would not be standing here tonight without the unyielding support of my best friend for the last 16 years the rock of our family, the love of my life, the nation's next first lady Michelle Obama.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.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.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.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.To my chief strategist David Axelrod who's been a partner with me every step of the way.To the best campaign team ever assembled in the history of politics you made this happen, and I am forever grateful for what you've sacrificed to get it done.But above all, I will never forget who this victory truly belongs to.It belongs to you.It belongs to you.I was never the likeliest candidate for this office.We didn't start with much money or many endorsements.Our campaign was not hatched in the halls of Washington.It began in the backyards of Des Moines and the living rooms of Concord and the front porches of Charleston.It was built by working men and women who dug into what little savings they had to give $5 and $10 and $20 to the cause.It grew strength from the young people who rejected the myth of their generation's apathy who left their homes and their families for jobs that offered little pay and less sleep.It drew strength from the not-so-young people who braved the bitter cold and scorching heat to knock on doors of perfect strangers, and from the millions of Americans who volunteered and organized and proved that more than two centuries later a government of the people, by the people, and for the people has not perished from the Earth.This is your victory.And I know you didn't do this just to win an election.And I know you didn't do it for me.You did it because you understand the enormity of the task that lies ahead.For even as we celebrate tonight, we know the challenges that tomorrow will bring are the greatest of our lifetime--two wars, a planet in peril, the worst financial crisis in a century.Even as we stand here tonight, we know there are brave Americans waking up in the deserts of Iraq and the mountains of Afghanistan to risk their lives for us.There are mothers and fathers who will lie awake after the children fall asleep and wonder how they'll make the mortgage or pay their doctors' bills or save enough for their child's college education.There's new energy to harness, new jobs to be created, new schools to build, and threats to meet, alliances to repair.The road ahead will be long.Our climb will be steep.We may not get there in one year or even in one term.But, America, I have never been more hopeful than I am tonight that we will get there.I promise you, we as a people will get there.There will be setbacks and false starts.There are many who won't agree with every decision or policy I make as president.And we know the government can't solve every problem.But I will always be honest with you about the challenges we face.I will listen to you, especially when we disagree.And, above all, I will ask you to join in the work of remaking this nation, the only way it's been done in America for 221 years--block by block, brick by brick, calloused hand by calloused hand.What began 21 months ago in the depths of winter cannot end on this autumn night.This victory alone is not the change we seek.It is only the chance for us to make that change.And that cannot happen if we go back to the way things were.It can't happen without you, without a new spirit of service, a new spirit of sacrifice.So let us summon a new spirit of patriotism, of responsibility, where each of us resolves to pitch in and work harder and look after not only ourselves but each other

Let us remember that, if this financial crisis taught us anything, it's that we cannot have a thriving Wall Street while Main Street suffers.In this country, we rise or fall as one nation, as one people.Let's resist the temptation to fall back on the same partisanship and pettiness and immaturity that has poisoned our politics for so long.Let's remember that it was a man from this state who first carried the banner of the Republican Party to the White House, a party founded on the values of self-reliance and individual liberty and national unity.Those are values that we all share.And while the Democratic Party has won a great victory tonight, we do so with a measure of humility and determination to heal the divides that have held back our progress.As Lincoln said to a nation far more divided than ours, we are not enemies but friends.Though passion may have strained, it must not break our bonds of affection.And to those Americans whose support I have yet to earn, I may not have won your vote tonight, but I hear your voices.I need your help.And I will be your president, too.And to all those watching tonight from beyond our shores, from parliaments and palaces, to those who are huddled around radios in the forgotten corners of the world, our stories are singular, but our destiny is shared, and a new dawn of American leadership is at hand.To those--to those who would tear the world down: We will defeat you.To those who seek peace and security: We support you.And to all those who have wondered if America's beacon still burns as bright: Tonight we proved once more that the true strength of our nation comes not from the might of our arms or the scale of our wealth, but from the enduring power of our ideals: democracy, liberty, opportunity and unyielding hope.That's the true genius of America: that America can change.Our union can be perfected.What we've already achieved gives us hope for what we can and must achieve tomorrow.This election had many firsts and many stories that will be told for generations.But one that's on my mind tonight's about a woman who cast her ballot in Atlanta.She's a lot like the millions of others who stood in line to make their voice heard in this election except for one thing: Ann Nixon Cooper is 106 years old.She was born just a generation past slavery;a time when there were no cars on the road or planes in the sky;when someone like her couldn't vote for two reasons--because she was a woman and because of the color of her skin.And tonight, I think about all that she's seen throughout her century in America--the heartache and the hope;the struggle and the progress;the times we were told that we can't, and the people who pressed on with that American creed: Yes we can.At a time when women's voices were silenced and their hopes dismissed, she lived to see them stand up and speak out and reach for the ballot.Yes we can.When there was despair in the dust bowl and depression across the land, she saw a nation conquer fear itself with a New Deal, new jobs, a new sense of common purpose.Yes we can.When the bombs fell on our harbor and tyranny threatened the world, she was there to witness a generation rise to greatness and a democracy was saved.Yes we can.She was there for the buses in Montgomery, the hoses in Birmingham, a bridge in Selma, and a preacher from Atlanta who told a people that “We Shall Overcome.” Yes we can.A man touched down on the moon, a wall came down in Berlin, a world was connected by our own science and imagination.And this year, in this election, she touched her finger to a screen, and cast her vote, because after 106 years in America, through the best of times and the darkest of hours, she knows how America can change.Yes we can.America, we have come so far.We have seen so much.But there is so much more to do.So tonight, let us ask ourselves--if our children should live to see the next century;if my daughters should be so lucky to live as long as Ann Nixon Cooper, what change will they see? What progress will we have made?

This is our chance to answer that call.This is our moment.This is our time, to put our people back to work and open doors of opportunity for our kids;to restore prosperity and promote the cause of peace;to reclaim the American dream and reaffirm that fundamental truth, that, out of many, we are one;that while we breathe, we hope.And where we are met with cynicism and doubts and those who tell us that we can't, we will respond with that timeless creed that sums up the spirit of a people: Yes, we can.Thank you.God bless you.And may God bless the United States of America.中文翻译：http://blog.sina.com.cn/s/blog_5c70e2670100b6wi.html

下面就是巴拉克-奥巴马所做的2008年总统候选人就职演讲全文：

美国是一个任何事情都有可能发生的国家，对于这一点如果还有任何人心存怀疑，对民主的力量还表示疑虑的话，今晚就是对这一问题的最好回答。

这个答案早已经印在了到处悬挂在学校和教堂的竞选条幅上，人们随处可见；这些人们已经等待了三四个小时，对于他们当中的大多数，这是有生以来第一次经历这样的过程，因为他们坚信这一时刻注定与众不同，而这种不同便有可能源自他们所发出的声音。

这个答案出自这些人之口，无论是青年还是老年，穷人还是富人，民主党还是共和党，黑人还是白人，拉丁裔、亚裔还是美国本土人，同性恋者还是异性恋者，残疾人还是非残疾人——他们向世界发出了这样的信息——我们从来不分红色之州和蓝色之州，我们永远都是美利坚合众国。

这个答案告诉了那些一直以来充满焦虑、恐惧和怀疑的人们，我们可以将双手放在历史的转折点上，将它再次带向充满希望的美好明天。

这一刻我们已经等待了太久，但是今晚，由于我们在这一决定性的时刻所作出的选择，美国便迎来了它崭新的一刻。

我刚刚接到了来自麦凯恩议员的电话。他在这场漫长而艰难的选举中一直努力着，而他为他所热爱的国家所付出的努力甚至更加艰辛而久远。可能我们当中的很多人甚至都无法想象，麦凯恩议员从何时便开始为我们的国家奉献自己，而我们却早已享受到了这位勇敢无私的领导者为国家所做出的贡献。对于他和佩林所付出的努力，我表示衷心的感谢，同时我也期待着，能够和他们一同努力，共同实现我们这几个月来所做出的承诺。

我要感谢我的竞选伙伴，新当选的美国副总统乔·拜登，这一路走来，他始终遵循着自己内心深处的那个声音，他始终代表着那些和他一起在斯克兰顿街边长大，一起坐着火车回到故乡特拉华州的人们的声音。

如果没有过去这16年来挚友的支持，没有稳定的家庭和对生活的爱，没有我们国家的下一位第一夫人，米歇尔·奥巴马，今晚我将不可能站在这里。萨莎和玛丽亚，我爱你们，你们已经得到了一只新的小狗，它将和我们一起入住白宫。还有我的祖母，虽然她已经不能和我们一起分享这一刻，但是我知道，她正和我的家人一起，注视着我，陪我经历着这一刻。我不会忘记，是他们养育我成人，今晚我是如此的想念他们，我知道，我所亏欠他们的，是永远无法报答的恩情。

对我的竞选负责人大卫·普罗菲，我的首席战略家大卫·亚克瑟罗德以及有史以来最优秀的竞选团队，我想对你们说的是——是你们成就了今天的一切，我将永远感激你们所付出的这一切。

但是，最重要的是，我将永远不会忘记，这个胜利是真正属于你们的！

我一直都不是最有希望的那个候选人，一开始的时候我们便没有那么多的资金或支持。我们的竞选之路并不是从华盛顿的高楼礼堂中开始的，它从德梅因的后院、协和酒店的客厅以及查尔斯顿的门廊中迈出了第一步。

它由那些需要从自己有限的存款中拿出5美元、10美元和20美元的工人们建立起来；那些摒弃了他们那一代人冷漠神话的年轻人，那些远离家乡亲人在外打拼却只能赚得微薄工资的人们，那些抵抗着刺骨的寒冷和灼人的炎热敲响了陌生人家大门的人们，是你们给了它成长的力量；数以百万计的美国人民自愿组织起来，他们想要去证明两个多世纪之后，一个由人民组成的政府，一个属于人民的政府，一个为了人民的政府是不会从地球上消亡的，这就是属于你们的胜利！

我知道，你们这样做并不只是想赢得一场选举，我也知道，你们这样做并不是为我一个人。你们这样做，是因为你们了解前方的任务是如何的艰巨。甚至就在我们庆祝的同时，我们也清楚地明白，明天将要面临的挑战是多么巨大——两大战争，一个处于危险中的星球，本世纪最严重的经济危机。就在我们站在这里的同时，我们清楚地知道，还有许多勇敢的美国人正在伊拉克的沙漠和阿富汗的群山中醒来，为了我们而冒着生命的危险。还有许许多多的父母们，只有在自己的孩子入睡后才能躺下，他们为房子的贷款和医院的账单还有孩子们的学费而发愁。放心，我们会注入新的能量，创造新的就业机会，建设新的学校，面对威胁与挑战，修复我们的联盟。

前方的道路还很漫长。我们所面临的山峰是险峻的。或许一年甚至很长一段时间我们都无法攀上峰顶，但是美国——我从来没有像今晚这样坚信，我们最终一定会到达。我向你保证——我们的民族最终会到达山顶的。

也许会有挫折坎坷，作为总统我所做出的决定和政策必定会遭到一些人的反对，而我们也知道政府不能够解决所有问题。但是我将会诚实地告诉你们我们所面对的挑战。我会耐心倾听你们的心声，尤其是在遇到分歧的时候。而最重要的是，我将会让你们加入到重建我们国家的队伍当中来，沿着美国这221年来一直所走的那条道路——一块块砖瓦，一双双手，一点点堆砌出我们的家园。

21个月之前的那个冬天所开始的，不会在这个秋天的夜晚结束。这个胜利本身并不是我们所要找寻的改变——这只是一个改变的机会。如果我们回到老路上，那么一切都不会得到改变。没有你们，这一切也不会得到改变。

那么，就让我们重新召唤起爱国主义、公仆之心以及国家责任的精神来，每个人都参与其中，一起努力，不单只是关心自身，而是互相照顾。让我们记住这场经济危机所教会我们的一点，如果主街道遭受了打击，那么华尔街也不可能幸免——在这个国家，我们作为一个民族，一个整体，同存亡共荣辱。

让我们摒弃掉那些长久以来一直危害我们的政治生活的那些幼稚琐碎的党派之争。让我们记住，是这个国家的人第一次将共和党的横幅挂在了白宫之上，而共和党的建立便是基于对自力更生、独立自由和国家统一价值的肯定。这一价值是我们所共享的，即便民主党今晚赢得了大选，我们也会怀着谦虚的心态，去消除这一分歧和隔膜。在面临着比今天更严重的国家分裂时，林肯说过，“我们不是敌人，而是朋友。。我们友情的纽带，或会因情绪激动而绷紧，但决不可折断。”而对于那些我还没有赢得支持的选民们——也许我还没有赢得你们的选票，但是我听到了你们声音，我需要你们的帮助，而我也同样是你们的总统。

对于那些远在大洋彼岸的，在国会和皇宫中，在我们这个世界被遗忘的角落中围在收音机旁关注着大选之夜的人们——我们的故事是不同的，但是我们的命运却是紧紧连在一起的，美国领袖新的一天的黎明即将到来。对于那些会将世界四分五裂的人们，我们将打败你们，对于那些渴求和平和安全的人们，我们将支持你们。而对于所有那些想知道，自由女神像手中的火炬是否还会依旧闪耀光芒的人们，今晚我们再次证明了，我们民族的真正实力并不只是来自于武力和财富，而是来自于我们理想的力量:民主，自由，机遇以及永不屈服的希望。

美国真正的天赋在于，它懂得改变。我们的联盟会不断完善自己。而我们已经取得的成就给了我们希望，让我们坚信我们能够并且即将取得成功。

这次选举拥有许多故事和数不清的第一次，它们将被世世代代流传。但是今晚在我脑海中一直浮现的，是亚特兰大一位女性选民。她就像成千上万的其他选民一样，排在队伍中喊出自己的心声，唯一不同的是——安·尼克松·库伯已经106岁了。

她出生的时候正是奴隶制度解除之后；那时候还没有汽车和飞机；像她一样的人那个时候是没有选举权的，因为她是女人，还因为她皮肤的颜色。

但是今晚，我思考着她所经历的这一个世纪的美国——心痛和希望；斗争与进步；我们被告知我们不能做什么的时代，以及美国人的信条:是的，我们可以！

在那个女性不能发出声音的时代，在那个女性的希望被剥夺的时代，她看着她们站了起来，大声说出自己的想法，投出了自己的选票。是的，我们可以！

当绝望和大萧条袭来的时候，她看到了一个民族通过新政、新的工作和新的共同目的感战胜了恐惧。是的，我们可以！

当炸弹在珍珠港爆炸，当暴政威胁这个世界的时候，她见证了一代人的强大，见证了民主得到了捍卫。是的，我们可以！

她见证了蒙哥马利汽车暴动，见证了塞尔玛大桥事件，遇到了那位来自亚特兰大的牧师，他告诉人们“我们终将会克服一切。”是的，我们可以！

人类登上了月球，柏林墙倒塌了，世界由于我们自身的科学和想象力被连接到了一起。而在这一年，在这次选举中，她的手指触摸到了屏幕，她投出了自己的一票，因为在美国经历了106年的变迁，经历了最好的与最坏的时代后，她了解美国是如何变化的。是的，我们可以！

美国，我们已经走了这么远，我们已经看到了这么多，但是仍然有许多事情等待着我们去做。那么今晚，让我们扪心自问——如果我们的孩子看到了下一个世纪；如果我的女儿也能够和安·尼克松·库伯一样幸运地活到了106岁，那么他们将会看到怎样的变化？我们又将会取得什么样的进步？

对于我们来说，这正是一个对这一疑问给出回答的机会。这是我们的时刻，这是我们的时代——让我们的人民重新回去工作，为我们的孩子打开机会的大门；积累财富，促进和平；重拾美国梦，重申基本的真象——相对于大多数而言，我们是独一无二的；当我们呼吸时，我们希望，在我们面对讥笑、怀疑以及别人对我们说我们不能的时候，我们将会用凝聚了人类精神的永恒信条作出回应:

是的，我们可以！

谢谢你们，愿上帝保佑你们，愿上帝保佑美利坚合众国。

第三篇：从奥巴马当选总统看美国选举文化

从奥巴马当选总统看美国选举文化

学号：0801010223

姓名：田智超

摘要：美国实行总统制，总统选举每四年举行一次。总统选举的程序与过程极为错综复杂，包括预选、党的全国代表大会、总统候选人竞选、全国选民投票选出总统“选举人”、“选举人”成立选举人团正式选举总统和当选总统就职典礼等几个阶段。

关键词：奥巴马 选举制度 选举文化

2008年11月5日，四年一度的美国总统选举终于落下帷幕，巴拉克·侯赛因·奥巴马正式当选为美国第56届总统。奥巴马作为美国历史上第一位非洲裔的黑人总统，他的竞选历程更能够全方位地展现出美国选举文化诸方面的特点，其深刻的内涵以及对美国乃至全世界所产生的重大影响，值得我们对此进行深入的研究。

美国选举文化的历史起源

18世纪中叶，北美的13个英国殖民地逐渐形成，他们在英国的最高主权下有各自的政府和议会。这13个殖民区因气候和地理环境的差异，造成了各地经济形态、政治制度与观念上的差别。18世纪中叶，英国在美洲的殖民地与英国之间，已有了裂痕，殖民地萌生了独立的念头。

1773年，波士顿倾茶事件成为了美国独立运动的开始。1774年，来自12个州的代表聚集在费城，召开了第一次大陆会议，希望能寻出一条合理的途径，与英国和平解决问题。然而英王却坚持殖民地必须无条件臣服于英王，并接受处分。1775年，独立战争的战火在马萨诸塞州莱克星顿点燃。1776年5月，在费城召开第二次大陆会议发表了著名的《独立宣言》。1787年，在费城举行联邦会议，会中华盛顿被推为主席。在独立战争结束之际，军官们曾“劝进”华盛顿，拥戴他“王袍加身”。华盛顿拒绝并加申斥，他的举动，使美国避过了君主制和军国制。1789年，华盛顿当选为第一任美国总统。

由此可见，美国民主选举文化的历史起源是与其独特的历史背景和地理条件息息相关的。在脱离英国统治的独立斗争中，美国人逐渐形成了“不自由，毋宁死”的民主文化观念。华盛顿拒绝君主专制，除他本人高风亮节外，也是民主选举文化的发展使然：18世纪后期的北美，君主专制在广大民众中已不得人心。

美国选举文化的发展

美国发展的历史背景、公民成份的组成和政治体制的特殊性，使得美国民主选举文化的发展十分复杂和曲折。美国诞生于与英国决裂的过程中，国家机制的创建和公民群体的创建同时进行，民主选举文化的建立不仅深受英国文化的影响，而且与公民资格本身的界定也有密切的关系。虽然美国宣示的立国原则是自由与平等，但其民主选举权力从一开始就带有鲜明的排斥性。

美国民主选举文化的再一次重要转变开始于二十世纪二十年代。1920年，第19条宪法修正案使妇女获得了选举权。1965年，联邦政府又积极干预，通过新的宪法修正案和选举权法，帮助南部黑人重新获得了选举权。

可见，美国的民主选举文化是在曲折中不断发展的。民主选举权力的扩大，使得美国民主选举文化更加具有包容性。在本次美国总统选举中，奥巴马成为了美国第一位黑人总统，更是体现了美国民主选举文化的不断进步。

美国选举文化与选举制度的关系

美国的总统选举制度是西方所有民主政体中，耗时最长、最为独特的一个选举制度。美国的总统大选一般分三个阶段，第一个阶段是从大选年的每年2月开始初选，然后在初选之后，要经历美国两个主要政党，民主和共和两个政党的全国代表大会对党内的候选人进行正式提名，然后在全国代表大会结束之后，才开始有两党的主要候选人，进行正式的全国大选，所以整个美国大选年的总统大选耗时10个月，远远长于德国、法国、意大利、英国等西方国家。这些国家的平均政府首脑的大选的时间大概是在四到六个星期左右，而美国却要十个月。在今年的美国总统选举中，奥巴马就曾经到美国各地进行了长时间的巡回演说。

尽管有部分美国民众抱怨现有的总统选举制度耗时太长，过于繁琐，要求将总统选举方式加以改进、缩短，但大部分美国人对民主自由受到损害的担忧远甚于对大选耗时过长的担忧，因为在他们看来，在考虑清楚后做出正确的选择，维护好自己的民主自由权利才是最重要的。美国总统选举的较长耗时，是美国选举文化的一个独特体现。

美国选举文化与奥巴马身份的特殊性的关系

奥巴马当选成为美国历史上第一位黑人总统，是美国选举史上一个历史性的时刻。黑人在美国社会上曾长期受到不公正待遇，1861年至1865年南北战争之后黑奴虽然获得解放，但美国黑人在政治、经济、教育、就业、居住等方面仍然受到诸多的歧视与限制，无法做到与白人真正的平等，仍处于社会的底层。奥巴马的当选，打破美国200多年历史中一直存在的严重的种族偏见，反映美国民众的思想正在发生深刻变化。这个新局面势将对美国国内政治生活产生深远影响。奥巴马获胜反映了美国选举文化的进步，标志着一个新时代的开始。

结语 我认为，导致美国人选举出首位黑人担任美国下届总统，是种族意识在起作用，不过这个种族意识不再是种族歧视，而是美国全民族的种族融合意识。

持这种观点的人认为，大多数美国白人和黑人都认为，是时候显示美国真正进步到种族平等时代了。奥巴马不仅赢得了绝大多数有色人种的选票，也赢得了原本是共和党天下的中部保守白人选票，这表明相当数量的白人选民接受了美国种族融合的共同价值观。奥巴马的当选，对美国选举文化的发展有着重大意义。

参考文献：科学文化教育网

第四篇：奥巴马总统2011感恩节演讲

Thanksgiving Day, 2011 A Proclamation? By the President of the United States of America

2011年感恩节

美利坚合众国总统公告

2011年11月16日

?? ? ? ? ? ? ? ?? November 16, 2011 One of our Nation's oldest and most cherished traditions, Thanksgiving Day brings us closer to our loved ones and invites us to reflect on the blessings that enrich our lives.The observance recalls the celebration of an autumn harvest centuries ago, when the Wampanoag tribe joined the Pilgrims at Plymouth Colony to share in the fruits of a bountiful season.The feast honored the Wampanoag for generously extending their knowledge of local game and agriculture to the Pilgrims, and today we renew our gratitude to all American Indians and Alaska Natives.We take this time to remember the ways that the First Americans have enriched our Nation's heritage, from their generosity centuries ago to the everyday contributions they make to all facets of American life.As we come together with friends, family, and neighbors to celebrate, let us set aside our daily concerns and give thanks for the providence bestowed upon us.感恩节（Thanksgiving Day）是我国最悠久、最宝贵的传统之一。这个节日带给我们更浓郁的亲情，令我们反思给予我们丰富多彩的生活的万般恩典。这个传统上溯至几百年前万帕诺亚格部落（Wampanoag tribe）和普利茅斯殖民地（Plymouth Colony）清教徒移民分享秋收果实的欢庆时节。当时的盛宴表达了对万帕诺亚格部落向新移民传授当地狩猎和农作知识的慷慨友情的赞赏；今天，我们继续向所有美洲印第安人和阿拉斯加原住民表示感恩。让我们值此时刻重温美国最早期的人们对我国文化传统的贡献——他们不仅在数百年前慷慨相助，而且每一天都在为美国生活的各方各面作贡献。在我们与朋友、家人和邻居聚首欢庆的日子里，让我们抛开日常烦恼，为上帝对我们的眷顾而感恩。

Though our traditions have evolved, the spirit of grace and humility at the heart of Thanksgiving has persisted through every chapter of our story.When President George Washington proclaimed our country's first Thanksgiving, he praised a generous and knowing God for shepherding our young Republic through its uncertain beginnings.Decades later, President Abraham Lincoln looked to the divine to protect those who had known the worst of civil war, and to restore the Nation “to the full enjoyment of peace, harmony, tranquility, and union.”

虽然我们的传统与时俱进，但是作为感恩节核心的恩惠与谦卑精神贯穿于我们历史的各段篇章，始终如一。乔治·华盛顿（George Washington）总统发表了美国第一个感恩日公告，感谢慷慨而全能的上帝护卫我们年轻的共和国度过风雨莫测的初始阶段。几十年后，亚伯拉罕·林肯（Abraham Lincoln）总统祈求神灵保佑深领内战不幸的人们，让国家重享完全的“和平、和谐、安宁与联邦团结”。

In times of adversity and times of plenty, we have lifted our hearts by giving humble thanks for the blessings we have received and for those who bring meaning to our lives.Today, let us offer gratitude to our men and women in uniform for their many sacrifices, and keep in our thoughts the families who save an empty seat at the table for a loved one stationed in harm's way.And as members of our American family make do with less, let us rededicate ourselves to our friends and fellow citizens in need of a helping hand.无论时逢逆境还是一帆风顺，我们通过对恩典和赋予我们生命意义的人们谦卑地表示感恩而得到心灵的升华。今天，让我们向付出各种牺牲的男女军人表示感谢，也让我们心系那些在餐桌边为值守在险境中的亲人留着空位的家庭。面对精简度日的美国大家庭的成员，让我们再次向需要帮助的朋友和国人献出爱心。

As we gather in our communities and in our homes, around the table or near the hearth, we give thanks to each other and to God for the many kindnesses and comforts that grace our lives.Let us pause to recount the simple gifts that sustain us, and resolve to pay them forward in the year to come.当我们聚会在社区和家中，围坐在餐桌旁、火炉边时，我们向彼此表示感谢，我们向将仁慈与温馨带到我们生活中的上帝表示感谢。让我们驻足凝思鼓舞我们的生活的点滴恩惠，并立志来年报恩。

NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim Thursday, November 24, 2011, as a National Day of Thanksgiving.I encourage the people of the United States to come together--whether in our homes, places of worship, community centers, or any place of fellowship for friends and neighbors--to give thanks for all we have received in the past year, to express appreciation to those whose lives enrich our own, and to share our bounty with others.为此，我，美利坚合众国总统巴拉克·奥巴马，以美国宪法和法律赋予我的权力，特此宣布2011年11月24日星期四为全国感恩节。我呼吁美国全体人民，不论是在家中、在敬拜场所、在社区中心，还是在任何与亲朋好友及左邻右舍欢聚的地方，共同对我们过去一年所得的一切表示感谢，向那些用他们的生命丰富了我们的生活的人表示感谢；并与他人分享自己所受之恩。

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this sixteenth day of November, in the year of our Lord two thousand eleven, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-sixth.我谨于公元2011年11月16日，即美利坚合众国独立第236年，亲笔在此签名为证。

BARACK OBAMA（巴拉克·奥巴马）

第五篇：奥巴马当选演讲 中英文

《奥巴马当选后演讲全文》（中文版）

芝加哥的公民们，大家好！

如果现在仍然有人怀疑在美国是不是真的任何事情都可能发生，怀疑我们开国之父们的梦想是否还留存在这片土地上，怀疑美国民主的力量，今夜，就是你的答案。

在这个国家的学校和教堂中人们曾焦急地等待着答案，一些人甚至从未像今天一样——等待了3～4个小时，但是他们知道这一时刻非同一般，他们的声音也同样非同一般。

在美国的土地上，无论是年轻人还是老人；穷人还是富人；无论是共和党人还是民主党人；无论是黑人、白人、西班牙裔、亚裔、美国原住民、同性恋、异性恋、残疾人还是非残疾人都发出同一种信息，我并非孤身一人。

我们是，而且永远都是美利坚合众国！

这一天我们等得太久了，但是今晚，因为我们在这场竞选中、在这个地点、在此时此刻所做的一切，改变已经降临美国。

在今天晚上，我很荣幸地接到了麦凯恩参议员打来的电话。麦凯恩参议员在这场竞选中进行了长久、艰难的努力。而且，为这个他热爱的国家，他奋斗了更久、付出了更多的努力。他为美国做出了超乎我们大多数人想象的牺牲，因为这个无畏无私的领导人所付出的努力，我们才有了更好的生活。我对他表示祝贺，也对佩林州长所取得的成果表示祝贺。同时，我也期待着能在接下来的几个月内，和他们共同努力履行对这个国家的诺言。

我想感谢我在这个旅程中的搭档，一个全心全意参加竞选的男人，一个为同他一起在斯克蓝顿(宾夕法尼亚东北部城市)街道长大、一起坐火车到特拉华州的人们发言的男人，美国未来的副总统，乔〃拜登。

在过去的16年里如果没有朋友们的支持和鼓励，那么我今晚将不会站在这里……我的家庭的支持、关爱，美国的下一位第一夫人米歇尔〃奥巴马，还有萨沙和玛丽雅，我对你们的爱甚至超出你们的想象，你们将得到新的爸爸，和你们一起到新的白宫。

我却再也不能陪伴我的外祖母了，但我知道她一直在守望着我们。我也十分想念我的家人和亲戚，我知道自己亏欠他们太多，太多。我要感谢马娅，阿尔玛，以及我所有的兄弟姐妹，感谢你们对我无私的支持，对此我深表感激。还有，感谢我的竞选经理大卫〃普劳夫。还有那些在竞选活动中的无名英雄们，他们表现的很棒，是他们给美国带来了一场最完美的大选，我想，这在美国历史上是绝无仅有的。还有我的首席战略师大卫〃阿克塞尔罗德。他是我的伙伴，在我竞选的每个阶段都给我极大的帮助，为我打造了美国大选史上最棒的竞选团队。是你让这一切发生了，我将永远对你为这一切做出的牺牲心存感激。但是最重要的，我将 永远无法忘记这场胜利真正的主人，这属于你们，这属于你们。

我曾经是最不可能赢得白宫的候选人。在刚开始的时候，我们没有多少钱，也没有多少支持者，我们的竞选不是从华盛顿的大厅开始的，而是开始于艾奥瓦州得梅因的后院、康科德的客厅、查尔斯顿的前厅。是辛勤劳作的男人、女人捐给了我们他们微薄的积蓄，5块钱、10块钱、20块钱。我们从年轻人那里得到了力量，他们拒绝服从同龄人冷漠的神话。为了工作，他们离开了自己的家乡，并与亲人分别，可是他们拿很少的报酬，甚至连睡觉的时间也少的可怜。

那些并不年轻的志愿者却拥有一颗火热的心，为了大选他们在寒风中敲开善良的陌生人家的门，这就是为什么两个世纪以来，我们人类，我们的政府没有从地球上消亡的原因。

我想说，这同样也是你们的胜利！我知道，你们不仅仅是为了赢得一个大选，也不仅仅是为了我。你们这样做，是因为知道我们面前任务的艰难。即使我们今晚在这里欢庆，我们仍然知道明天将会带来我们平生最大的挑战——两场战争，一个处于危险边缘的星球、一个世纪来最严重的金融危机。

在孩子们熟睡后依然醒着的父亲母亲在担心，他们怎样才能还清医生的账单，攒够足够的钱供孩子的大学教育。

新的能源要去开发，新的工作岗位要去创造，新的学校要去建造，新的威胁要去面对，新的盟友关系要去修复。

前面的路会很长。我们的攀岩会很陡峭。我们甚至不会在一年、一个任期内达到这个目标。但是，美国，我从未比今夜更加相信，我们会达到这个目标。

我承诺，作为一个人，我们会达到这个目标。

以后我们还会面对挫折和谎言，我成为总统以后，也许有人无法认同我的每一项政策和方针。并且我们也知道政府并非能解决一切问题。但是我会忠诚地和你们并肩奋斗，共同面对挑战。我依然会倾听你们的声音，尤其是我们之间存在分歧的时候。最重要的是，我会真诚地邀请你参与国家的重建，就像美国建国221年以来的历史那样——靠我们的双手把国家建设地更为强大。

我们从21个月以前的冬天开始了奋斗的征程，但是我们的努力不会在这个秋天的夜晚结束。这次胜利并不会改变我们的探索之路，这对于我们来说是一个难得的机遇，我们决不能后退。我们不会退缩，因为我们拥有旺盛的精力和无畏牺牲的精神。

让我们重振爱国主义精神，承担起自己的责任，我们将努力奋斗，互帮互助。

让我们牢记金融危机给美国带来的伤痛，我们再也不会让华尔街繁荣的同时，让别的街受罪。

在这个国家里，我们与祖国的命运紧密相连。让我们自觉抵制党派争端和过于污秽的政治斗争。

让我们牢记在这条街道上高举共和党旗帜入主白宫的那个人(林肯)，是他宣扬了独立和自主的精神，完成了国家的统一。

这些价值观应该得到继承和发扬，今晚民主党取得了胜利，我们必须保持谦虚的心态，并下定决心完成后面的征程。就像很久以前，林肯对一个比现在分裂得更严重的民族所说的那样，我们不是敌人，是朋友。

虽然热情已经被冲淡，我们的友爱纽带没有破裂。

同时，对于我没有赢得支持的民众，我或许没有得到你们的投票，但是我听到了你们的声音。我需要你们的帮助。我也会是你们的总统。

对于那些在另外一个海岸，从国会到王宫、到在被世界遗忘的角落摆弄收音机、关注美国今夜的人们，我们的故事并非只有一个，但是目标是共同的，美国领导力的新的黎明已经到来。

美国应该变化，我们的社会应该更完美。我们已经取得的成果给了我们明天取得更大成果的希望。

这次大选有很多首创和许多故事，这些故事将代代相传。但今天晚上我脑子里能想起来的就是一个女人，她刚刚在亚特兰大城投了票。她跟成千上万在这次大选中排队发出自己声音的人一样，唯有一点例外：安〃尼克松〃库珀已经106岁高龄了。她出生在奴隶制刚刚废除后的那一代，那时路上没有汽车，天上没有飞机。像她那样的人仍不能投票，这因为两个方面的原因：一是她是女性；二是因为她的肤色。

可今晚，我想她看透了一个世纪的美国——头疼与希望；挣扎与发展。有人告诉我们，美国不行了，可美国人的自信却回答：不，我们行！她曾经生活在女性发不出声音、希望破灭的时代，可她却活着看到女性们站起来，发出自己的声音，并且投下自己的票。是的，我们行！

当饥饿来到，衰退发生时，她看到了这个国家是如何以新政，新工作，和全新的共同目标来战胜恐惧的。

当炸弹落到我们的港口，独裁者威胁世界的时候，她亲眼见证了一代人的崛起和民主得以挽救。是的，我们行！她去蒙哥马利搭乘公共汽车，她去伯明翰面对水龙头，她去塞尔玛占桥……她听来自亚特兰大的牧师告诉大家：“我们能打破种族障碍”，没错，我们行！

今年，在这次大选中，她投下了自己的一票。因为在美国生活了106个年头，经 历了最好的时光与最难的岁月，所以她知道美国一定能改变。是的，我们行！

美国已经经历了太多，我们看够了太多，但我们还得做更多的事。今晚，让我们问自己：如果我们的孩子们要活着看到新世纪，如果我们的女儿们能像安〃尼克松这样活到106岁，我们应该有哪些进步？我们应该回答这个问题，这是我们的时代。

现在是我们一起开始工作，为我们的孩子打开机遇之门，恢复我们的繁荣，促进和平，重回美国梦，恢复基本信任，以及其它许多事的时候了。我们应该团结如一人。我们应该坚定地回应那些说我们不行的人，我们将以无穷的力量来回应他们，然后说：是的，我们行！

感谢大家，上帝保佑你们，上帝保佑美利坚！《奥巴马当选后演讲全文》（英文版）

Hello, Chicago.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.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.It's the answer spoken by young and old, rich and poor, Democrat and Republican, black, white, Hispanic, Asian, Native American, gay, straight, disabled and not disabled.Americans who sent a message to the world that we have never been just a collection of individuals or a collection of red states and blue states.We are, and always will be, the United States of America.It's the answer that led those who've been told for so long by so many to be cynical and fearful and doubtful about what we can achieve to put their hands on the arc of history and bend it once more toward the hope of a better day.It's been a long time coming, but tonight, because of what we did on this date in this election at this defining moment change has come to America.A little bit earlier this evening, I received an extraordinarily gracious call from Sen.McCain.Sen.McCain fought long and hard in this campaign.And he's fought even longer and harder for the country that he loves.He has endured sacrifices for America that most of us cannot begin to imagine.We are better off for the service rendered by this brave and selfless leader.I congratulate him;I congratulate Gov.Palin for all that they've achieved.And I look forward to working with them to renew this nation's promise in the months ahead.I want to thank my partner in this journey, a man who campaigned from his heart, and spoke for the men and women he grew up with on the streets of Scranton and rode with on the train home to Delaware, the vice president-elect of the United States, Joe Biden.And I would not be standing here tonight without the unyielding support of my best friend for the last 16 years the rock of our family, the love of my life, the nation's next first lady Michelle Obama.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.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.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.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.To my chief strategist David Axelrod who's been a partner with me every step of the way.To the best campaign team ever assembled in the history of politics you made this happen, and I am forever grateful for what you've sacrificed to get it done.But above all, I will never forget who this victory truly belongs to.It belongs to you.It belongs to you.I was never the likeliest candidate for this office.We didn't start with much money or many endorsements.Our campaign was not hatched in the halls of Washington.It began in the backyards of Des Moines and the living rooms of Concord and the front porches of Charleston.It was built by working men and women who dug into what little savings they had to give $5 and $10 and $20 to the cause.It grew strength from the young people who rejected the myth of their generation's apathy who left their homes and their families for jobs that offered little pay and less sleep.It drew strength from the not-so-young people who braved the bitter cold and scorching heat to knock on doors of perfect strangers, and from the millions of Americans who volunteered and organized and proved that more than two centuries later a government of the people, by the people, and for the people has not perished from the Earth.This is your victory.And I know you didn't do this just to win an election.And I know you didn't do it for me.You did it because you understand the enormity of the task that lies ahead.For even as we celebrate tonight, we know the challenges that tomorrow will bring are the greatest of our lifetime--two wars, a planet in peril, the worst financial crisis in a century.Even as we stand here tonight, we know there are brave Americans waking up in the deserts of Iraq and the mountains of Afghanistan to risk their lives for us.There are mothers and fathers who will lie awake after the children fall asleep and wonder how they'll make the mortgage or pay their doctors' bills or save enough for their child's college education.There's new energy to harness, new jobs to be created, new schools to build, and threats to meet, alliances to repair.The road ahead will be long.Our climb will be steep.We may not get there in one year or even in one term.But, America, I have never been more hopeful than I am tonight that we will get there.I promise you, we as a people will get there.There will be setbacks and false starts.There are many who won't agree with every decision or policy I make as president.And we know the government can't solve every problem.But I will always be honest with you about the challenges we face.I will listen to you, especially when we disagree.And, above all, I will ask you to join in the work of remaking this nation, the only way it's been done in America for 221 years--block by block, brick by brick, calloused hand by calloused hand.What began 21 months ago in the depths of winter cannot end on this autumn night.This victory alone is not the change we seek.It is only the chance for us to make that change.And that cannot happen if we go back to the way things were.It can't happen without you, without a new spirit of service, a new spirit of sacrifice.So let us summon a new spirit of patriotism, of responsibility, where each of us resolves to pitch in and work harder and look after not only ourselves but each other.Let us remember that, if this financial crisis taught us anything, it's that we cannot have a thriving Wall Street while Main Street suffers.In this country, we rise or fall as one nation, as one people.Let's resist the temptation to fall back on the same partisanship and pettiness and immaturity that has poisoned our politics for so long.Let's remember that it was a man from this state who first carried the banner of the Republican Party to the White House, a party founded on the values of self-reliance and individual liberty and national unity.Those are values that we all share.And while the Democratic Party has won a great victory tonight, we do so with a measure of humility and determination to heal the divides that have held back our progress.As Lincoln said to a nation far more divided than ours, we are not enemies but friends.Though passion may have strained, it must not break our bonds of affection.And to those Americans whose support I have yet to earn, I may not have won your vote tonight, but I hear your voices.I need your help.And I will be your president, too.And to all those watching tonight from beyond our shores, from parliaments and palaces, to those who are huddled around radios in the forgotten corners of the world, our stories are singular, but our destiny is shared, and a new dawn of American leadership is at hand.To those--to those who would tear the world down: We will defeat you.To those who seek peace and security: We support you.And to all those who have wondered if America's beacon still burns as bright: Tonight we proved once more that the true strength of our nation comes not from the might of our arms or the scale of our wealth, but from the enduring power of our ideals: democracy, liberty, opportunity and unyielding hope.That's the true genius of America: that America can change.Our union can be perfected.What we've already achieved gives us hope for what we can and must achieve tomorrow.This election had many firsts and many stories that will be told for generations.But one that's on my mind tonight's about a woman who cast her ballot in Atlanta.She's a lot like the millions of others who stood in line to make their voice heard in this election except for one thing: Ann Nixon Cooper is 106 years old.She was born just a generation past slavery;a time when there were no cars on the road or planes in the sky;when someone like her couldn't vote for two reasons--because she was a woman and because of the color of her skin.And tonight, I think about all that she's seen throughout her century in America--the heartache and the hope;the struggle and the progress;the times we were told that we can't, and the people who pressed on with that American creed: Yes we can.At a time when women's voices were silenced and their hopes dismissed, she lived to see them stand up and speak out and reach for the ballot.Yes we can.When there was despair in the dust bowl and depression across the land, she saw a nation conquer fear itself with a New Deal, new jobs, a new sense of common purpose.Yes we can.When the bombs fell on our harbor and tyranny threatened the world, she was there to witness a generation rise to greatness and a democracy was saved.Yes we can.She was there for the buses in Montgomery, the hoses in Birmingham, a bridge in Selma, and a preacher from Atlanta who told a people that “We Shall Overcome.” Yes we can.A man touched down on the moon, a wall came down in Berlin, a world was connected by our own science and imagination.And this year, in this election, she touched her finger to a screen, and cast her vote, because after 106 years in America, through the best of times and the darkest of hours, she knows how America can change.Yes we can.America, we have come so far.We have seen so much.But there is so much more to do.So tonight, let us ask ourselves--if our children should live to see the next century;if my daughters should be so lucky to live as long as Ann Nixon Cooper, what change will they see? What progress will we have made?

This is our chance to answer that call.This is our moment.This is our time, to put our people back to work and open doors of opportunity for our kids;to restore prosperity and promote the cause of peace;to reclaim the American dream and reaffirm that fundamental truth, that, out of many, we are one;that while we breathe, we hope.And where we are met with cynicism and doubts and those who tell us that we can't, we will respond with that timeless creed that sums up the spirit of a people: Yes, we can.Thank you.God bless you.And may God bless the United States of America.9