OBAMA: Thank you. Thank you. Thank you so much. 奥巴马：谢谢，谢谢，非常感谢。

Tonight, more than 200 years after a former colony won the right to determine its own destiny, the task of perfecting our union moves forward. 两百多年前，美国人民在这块曾经的殖民地上赢得了自己的命运，今夜，我们向实现完美联邦的目标又迈进了一步。

OBAMA: It moves forward because of you. It moves forward because you reaffirmed the spirit that has triumphed over war and depression, the spirit that has lifted this country from the depths of despair to the great heights of hope, the belief that while each of us will pursue our own individual dreams, we are an American family and we rise or fall together as one nation and as one people.奥巴马：这一步是因为你们，这一步是因为你们证明了，克服战争和萧条的那种精神仍在，那份把我们国家从绝望的深渊带向希望之巅的精神，坚信我们每个人都可以追逐自己的梦想。美国同胞血浓于水，作为一个国家和民族，我们共起落，同荣辱。

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.今晚，在这次选举中，你们，美国人民，提醒了我们尽管路程艰辛、路程漫长，我们仍能振作精神，奋起反击，我们心中坚信，最好的时代，还在等着美利坚。

OBAMA: I want to thank every American who participated in this election... 奥巴马：我想感谢每一位亲身参与大选的美国人。

... whether you voted for the very first time or waited in line for a very long time.无论这是你的第一次投票或是在队伍中等待了很久。

By the way, we have to fix that. 顺便说一句，这个问题真是亟待解决。

Whether you pounded the pavement or picked up the phone...无论你是步行前往，还是拿起电话

... whether you held an Obama sign or a Romney sign, you made your voice heard and you made a difference.无论你举的牌子上写的是奥巴马还是罗姆尼，你都发出了你自己的声音，你也一样，创造了不同。

I just spoke with Governor Romney and I congratulated him and Paul Ryan on a hard-fought campaign.我刚刚和罗姆尼州长通了电话，向他和保罗瑞安，就这场艰难的战役表示了我的祝贺。

We may have battled fiercely, but its only because we love this country deeply and we care so strongly about its future. From George to Lenore to their son Mitt, the Romney family has chosen to give back to America through public service and that is the legacy that we honor and applaud tonight.双方的选战或许惨烈，但这正是因为我们如此深爱这个国家。如此关心它的未来，从乔治到兰诺夫妇，再到他们的儿子米特，罗姆尼一家选择通过献身公务来回报美国。今晚，我们向这一份宝贵遗产献上尊敬和掌声。

In the weeks ahead, I also look forward to sitting down with Governor Romney to talk about where we can work together to move this country forward.在未来的几个星期，我还希望能和罗姆尼州长坐下来讨论在哪些方面，我们可以共同努力，推动这个国家向前。

I want to thank my friend and partner of the last four years, Americas happy warrior, the best vice president anybody could ever hope for, Joe Biden.我想谢谢我的朋友，我过去四年的搭档。美国的快乐战士，乔拜登能有他做副总统，夫复何求。

OBAMA: And I wouldnt be the man I am today without the woman who agreed to marry me 20 years ago.奥巴马：另外，如果没有那位20年前同意嫁给我的女人，我今天也不可能站在这里。

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 nations first lady.让我告诉所有人吧，米歇尔，我对你的爱是如此深切，我目睹着我之外的美国人爱上你，我对你作为美国第一夫人感到的骄傲，也是如此地深切。

Sasha and Malia, before our very eyes youre growing up to become two strong, smart beautiful young women, just like your mom. 萨沙和玛利亚，就在我们的注视下，你们已经成长为两位坚强、智慧、美丽的年轻女士，就像你们的妈妈一样。

OBAMA: And Im so proud of you guys. But I will say that for now one dogs probably enough.奥巴马：我真的为你们骄傲，不过我还是要说，就现在看，一条狗应该已经够了。

To the best campaign team and volunteers in the history of politics...至政治史上最好的竞选团队和志愿者们

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.你们是最好的，最最好的。你们中有些人是新加入的，有些人从一开始就与我们共同进退。

(APPLAUSE) （掌声）

But all of you are family. No matter what you do or where you go from here, you will carry the memory of the history we made together and you will have the life-long appreciation of a grateful president. Thank you for believing all the way, through every hill, through every valley.但你们都是我的家人，无论你是做什么的，以后还要做什么，你们都会带上这段我们的共同创造的历史，以及这位感恩的总统对你们一辈子的感激。谢谢你们的一路坚信，陪我翻过每座丘陵，穿越每座山谷。

You lifted me up the whole way and I will always be grateful for everything that youve done and all the incredible work that you put in. 一路走来，多亏你们的辅佐。我会永远为你们所付出的一切和所有卓越之至的工作而心怀感激。

I know that political campaigns can sometimes seem small, even silly. And that provides plenty of fodder for the cynics that tell us that politics is nothing more than a contest of egos or the domain of special interests. But if you ever get the chance to talk to folks who turned out at our rallies and crowded along a rope line in a high school gym, or saw folks working late in a campaign office in some tiny county far away from home, youll discover something else.我知道有时候政治竞选看起来渺小甚至愚蠢，这为愤世嫉俗的人提供了许多素材，他们告诉我们政治不过是自负驱动的比赛，或是为特殊利益集团服务的猴戏。但如果你曾经同参加过我们的集会的普通人，或是在高中体育馆围线外排队的人们交谈过，或是看到在远离家乡的小郡县竞选办公室工作到很晚的人们，你一定会有新的认识。

OBAMA: Youll hear the determination in the voice of a young field organizer whos working his way through college and wants to make sure every child has that same opportunity.奥巴马：你会听到一位半工半读的年轻人现场活动组织者声音中的坚定，想要让每一个孩子都和他有一样的机会。

(APPLAUSE) （掌声）

Youll hear the pride in the voice of a volunteer whos going door to door because her brother was finally hired when the local auto plant added another shift.你会听到一名志愿者声音中的骄傲，她挨家挨户地告诉每一个人她的哥哥终于有了工作，因为当地的汽车公司增加了一个轮班。

Youll hear the deep patriotism in the voice of a military spouse whose working the phones late at night to make sure that no one who fights for this country ever has to fight for a job or a roof over their head when they come home.你会听到一位军嫂声音中深切的爱国主义情怀，她深夜也不放下电话，就是为了要让每一位保家卫国的战士不用在回家后，为了一份工作一片屋檐，苦苦求而不得。

(APPLAUSE) （掌声）

Thats why we do this. Thats what politics can be. Thats why elections matter. Its not small, its big. Its important. Democracy in a nation of 300 million can be noisy and messy and complicated. We have our own opinions. Each of us has deeply held beliefs. And when we go through tough times, when we make big decisions as a country, it necessarily stirs passions, stirs up controversy.这就是我们做这些的原因。这是政治可能的样子，这就是为什么选举是重要的，它并不渺小，它是大事，很重要的大事。有三亿人口的国家，民主会显得喧哗、混乱、复杂，我们有自己的观点，每个人都有自己坚定的信仰。当面对困难的时期，当我们的国家需要作重大的决定时，它必然会激发热情，也会掀起争议。

That wont change after tonight, and it shouldnt. These arguments we have are a mark of our liberty. We can never forget that as we speak people in distant nations are risking their lives right now just for a chance to argue about the issues that matter, the chance to cast their ballots like we did today.这些在今晚之后都不会改变，也不应该被改变。这些争论是我们自由的印记，我们永远不能忘记，就在此时此刻，在一些遥远的国家，人民正在冒着生命的危险，只为了能有讨论那些重要话题的机会，为了能有像我们今天这样投出自己一票的机会。

(APPLAUSE) （掌声）

But despite all our differences, most of us share certain hopes for Americas future. We want our kids to grow up in a country where they have access to the best schools and the best teachers.尽管我们有不同，我们中的大多数，对美国的未来怀有一样的希望。我们希望自己的孩子成长在这样一个国家，他们能去到最好的学校，有最好的老师。

A country that lives up to its legacy as the global leader in technology and discovery and innovation, with all the good jobs and new businesses that follow.它不会辜负前人留下的遗产，继续成为全球科技、探索、创新的领导者，有好的工作，新的产业随之而来。

OBAMA: We want our children to live in an America that isnt burdened by debt, that isnt weakened by inequality, that isnt threatened by the destructive power of a warming planet.奥巴马：我们希望自己孩子成长的美国不会被债务负累，不会因不平等有所削弱，也不会被地球变暖而带来的危害所威胁。

(APPLAUSE) （掌声）

We want to pass on a country thats safe and respected and admired around the world, a nation that is defended by the strongest military on earth and the best troops this - this world has ever known.我们想要传承的，是一个安全、受全球尊敬和爱戴的国家。我们想要传承的，是一个由世界最强军事力量保卫，拥有最好的军队的国家。

But also a country that moves with confidence beyond this time of war, to shape a peace that is built on the promise of freedom and dignity for every human being. We believe in a generous America, in a compassionate America, in a tolerant America, open to the dreams of an immigrants daughter who studies in our schools and pledges to our flag.同时，也是一个自信前行的国家，走出战争的阴霾，塑造和平景象，保障每个人的自由与尊严，我们相信美国是一个慷慨大度的国家，一个悲天悯人的国家，更是一个海纳百川的国家。我们要接纳在我国学习并对我们的国旗宣誓满怀梦想的移民。

To the young boy on the south side of Chicago who sees a life beyond the nearest street corner.也要接纳，身处芝加哥南部市井之中却能志存高远的男孩。

To the furniture workers child in North Carolina who wants to become a doctor or a scientist, an engineer or an entrepreneur, a diplomat or even a president - thats the future we hope for. Thats the vision we share. Thats where we need to go - forward.还要接纳北卡州家具工人的孩子，他们梦想着成为医生、科学家、工程师、企业家、外交官，甚至是总统那正是我们所期望的未来。是我们共同的愿景，是我们的目标前进。

Thats where we need to go.那是我们的目标。

Now, we will disagree, sometimes fiercely, about how to get there. As it has for more than two centuries, progress will come in fits and starts. Its not always a straight line. Its not always a smooth path.对于如何实现这一目标我们可能会意见向左，有时分歧很大。两个多世纪以来，一直如此，我们总会断断续续地取得进步。前进的路线总有曲折，不会一直是平坦通途。

By itself, the recognition that we have common hopes and dreams wont end all the gridlock or solve all our problems or substitute for the painstaking work of building consensus and making the difficult compromises needed to move this country forward. But that common bond is where we must begin. Our economy is recovering. A decade of war is ending. A long campaign is now over.认识到我们拥有共同的希望和梦想，单靠这一点无法终结所有的政治僵局或解决我们所有的问题，即使建立共识，作出推动这个国家向前所必要的艰难妥协，这些艰辛的工作也无法得以替代。但我们必须以这一共同纽带为起点。我们的经济正在复苏，为期十年的战争已近尾声，一场漫长的竞选现已结束。

(APPLAUSE) （掌声）

And whether I earned your vote or not, I have listened to you, I have learned from you, and youve made me a better president. And with your stories and your struggles, I return to the White House more determined and more inspired than ever about the work there is to do and the future that lies ahead.无论我是否赢得了你的选票，我倾听了你的呼声，从你身上得到了教益，你是我成长为更优秀的总统。带着你们的故事和奋斗史，我回到白宫时，对面临的任务和未来，会更为坚定、更有激情。

Tonight you voted for action, not politics as usual.今晚，你们投票换来的将会是积极的行动，而不是以往那样的政治游戏。

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. Weve got more work to do.你们选择了我们，是让我们关注你们的就业， 而非我们自己的官位。在接下来的数周、数月中，我期待着与两党领袖进行接触与合作，共同应对我们必须携手攻克的难关。降低赤字，改革税法，完善移民体系，摆脱对进口石油的依赖，我们还有更多的工作要完成。

(APPLAUSE) （掌声）

OBAMA: But that doesnt mean your work is done. The role of citizens in our Democracy does not end with your vote. Americas never been about what can be done for us. Its about what can be done by us together through the hard and frustrating, but necessary work of self-government. Thats the principle we were founded on.奥巴马：但这并不意味着你们的任务已经结束，公民在我们的民主体系中所扮演的角色，并不止于投票。美利坚的意义并不在于别人能为我们做什么，而是在我们能一起做什么。而这依靠的就是公民自治，这虽然困难而又往往令人灰心，但却是不可或缺的。

This country has more wealth than any nation, but thats not what makes us rich. We have the most powerful military in history, but thats not what makes us strong. Our university, our culture are all the envy of the world, but thats not what keeps the world coming to our shores.这是我们的建国理念，我们国家的财富多于其他任何国家，但我们的富有并不源于此，我们有史上最强的军事力量，但这并不是我们力量的源头。我们的大学，我们的文化，为世界所歆羡，可这并非吸引各国人民前来我国的根源。

What makes America exceptional are the bonds that hold together the most diverse nation on earth. The belief that our destiny is shared; that this country only works when we accept certain obligations to one another and to future generations. The freedom which so many Americans have fought for and died for come with responsibilities as well as rights. And among those are love and charity and duty and patriotism. Thats what makes America great.真正让美国与众不同的，是将这个地球上最多元化的国家的人民团结到一起的那些纽带。是我们共命运的信念，是只有当我们肩负某些对彼此以及对后代的责任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──它既赋予了我们权利，也给我们带来了责任；是爱、慈善、义务和爱国。正是这些让美国变得伟大。

I am hopeful tonight because Ive seen the spirit at work in America. Ive 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. Ive seen it in the soldiers who reenlist after losing a limb and in those SEALs who charged up the stairs into darkness and danger because they knew there was a buddy behind them watching their back.今晚，我满怀希望，因为我已经看到美国精神正在得以发扬。我看到有些家族企业，所有者宁可减少自己的薪酬也不愿让邻居丢掉工作；我看到有些工人宁愿缩减自己的工时也不愿看到朋友没有活干；我看到有些士兵在失去一条腿或胳膊之后又选择再次入伍；我看到海豹突击队员不避危险冲上楼梯、冲入黑暗，因为他们知道有一个兄弟在做他的后盾。