第一篇：希拉里的退選演說全文(中英文對照)

希拉里的退選演說

偉大的民主精神---希拉里退選演說原稿及翻譯

6月7日，美國民主黨總統競選人希拉里在華盛頓正式宣布停止競選，轉而支持競爭對手奧巴馬成為總統。希拉里的推選演說內容可圈可點，贏得陣陣掌聲，雖然選舉失敗，但離開得仍然如同一個勝者。這篇演講稿是難得的翻譯素材。

希拉里演講稿原文 Transcript（抄本，謄本，副本）of Hillary Clinton Endorsement Speech

Thank you very, very much.Well, this isn't exactly the party I'd planned, but I sure like the company（客人，朋友；一群人）.(APPLAUSE)

非常非常感謝大家！這的確不是我曾經計劃的派對，但我確實喜歡與你們同在。

And I want to start today by saying how grateful I am to all of you, to everyone who poured your hearts and your hopes into this campaign, who drove for miles and lined the streets waving homemade signs, who scrimped（（較平時）節省著過日子，一點一滴地省錢；吝嗇；克扣；節省，節縮，過度減少）and saved to raise money, who knocked on doors and made calls, who talked, sometimes argued with your friends and neighbors...(APPLAUSE)...who e-mailed and contributed（捐獻，捐助，貢獻出）online, who invested so much in our common enterprise, to the moms and dads who came to our events, who lifted their little girls and little boys on their shoulders and whispered in their ears, “See, you can be anything you want to be.”(APPLAUSE)今天，首先我要表達我衷心地謝意，感謝所有為（我的）競選傾注熱情與希望的人們，你們驅車百里，排滿街道，揮舞著自制標語，你們省吃省用、踴躍籌款，你們或登門拜訪或撥打電話（邀集選民），有時你們甚至與你們的朋友鄰居爭論，你們通過電郵在線捐款，你們為了我們共同的事業奉獻了太多太多；感謝那些帶著孩子們加入我們盛舉的父母們，他們將孩子們高舉在肩頭，并對他們輕聲叮嚀“看，（孩子），一切夢想，皆可成真” To the young people...(APPLAUSE)...like 13-year-old Anne Riddell(ph)from Mayfield, Ohio, who had been saving for two years to go to Disney World and decided to use her savings instead to travel to Pennsylvania with her mom and volunteer there, as well.To the veterans（經驗豐富的人，老兵；退伍軍人）, to the childhood friends, to New Yorkers and Arkansans...(APPLAUSE)...who traveled across the country, telling anyone who would listen why you supported me.And to all of those women in their 80s and their 90s...(APPLAUSE)...born before women could vote, who cast（投，擲，加。。于）their votes for our campaign.I've told you before about Florence Stein(ph)of South Dakota（達科他州）who was 88 years old and insisted that her daughter bring an absentee（缺席者，曠課者，外住者）ballot（投票表決，選舉，選票）to her hospice（（宗教團體開辦的）旅客招待所，（晚期病人的）安養院）bedside.Her daughter and a friend put an American flag behind her bed and helped her fill out the ballot.She passed away soon after and, under state law, her ballot didn't count, but her daughter later told a reporter, “My dad's an ornery（脾氣壞的）, old cowboy, and he didn't like it when he heard Mom's vote wouldn't be counted.I don't think he had voted in 20 years, but he voted in place of my mom.”(APPLAUSE)我也要感謝像安這樣的年輕人們，她今年剛13歲，來自俄亥俄州的梅菲爾得市，她決定把過去兩年中本為去迪士尼攢下的錢用來和媽媽一起去賓夕法尼亞充當志愿者；還要感謝那些退伍老兵，孩提時的朋友，以及紐約和阿肯色地區的人們，你們走遍全國，向所有愿意傾聽的人們解釋支持我的理由；我更要感謝那些八九十歲的女選民，她們 在女性尚沒有選舉權之前出生，這次她們為我們的競選投票。我給大家講過南達科塔州的弗羅倫斯斯汀的故事，她已88歲高齡，她堅持讓自己女兒把一張缺席選舉人票拿到了病床前，女兒和一個朋友把一面美國國旗放到她的床后，并幫她填寫了選票。稍后，她即離世，而根據州的法律，她這一票不能計數，但是女兒后來對記者說到：“爸爸是個老牛仔，性格倔強，當他聽說媽媽的投票沒被采用，他非常難過。我想他已經二十年都沒投過一次票了，但這次他替媽媽投了一票。”

So to all those who voted for me and to whom I pledged（保證，許諾，發誓）my utmost, my commitment（承諾，許諾，保證，承擔的義務，信奉，獻身）to you and to the progress we seek is unyielding（堅硬的，不屈的，不能彎曲的）.謝謝你們，我所有的選民們和那些我曾竭力做出許諾的人們。我對你們的承諾和我們所追求的進步事業將永不停滯，一往無前！You have inspired（鼓舞，激勵，賦予某人靈感，啟迪）and touched me with the stories of the joys and sorrows that make up the fabric（構造，組織，織物，布）of our lives.And you have humbled（使謙卑，使卑下）me with your commitment to our country.Eighteen million of you, from all walks of life...(APPLAUSE)...women and men, young and old, Latino and Asian, African-American and Caucasian（高加索人，白種人）...(APPLAUSE)...rich, poor, and middle-class, gay（快樂的，輕率的，不加思索的，放蕩的）and straight, you have stood with me.(APPLAUSE)你們的喜悅悲傷的經歷織成我們生活的脈絡，激勵我，啟發我。你們對祖國的巨大奉獻使我自感卑微。你們，來自各行各業的1800萬人們，女人、男人、青年、老人、拉丁裔、亞裔、非洲裔、白種人、富人、窮人、中產者、同性戀和異性戀，你們與我同在。

And I will continue to stand strong with you every time, every place, in every way that I can.The dreams we share are worth fighting for.我將繼續堅定的與你們攜手同行，隨時隨地，盡我全力。我們共同擁有的夢想值得我們并肩奮斗！

Remember, we fought for the single mom with the young daughter, juggling(耍弄，歪曲，顛倒)work and school, who told me, “I'm doing it all to better myself for her.” 請記住，我們曾為帶著小女兒在工作和學校中疲于奔命的單親媽媽奮斗，她對我說“我做的一切是為了對她更稱職”。

We fought for the woman who grabbed my hand and asked me, “What are you going to do to make sure I have health care?” and began to cry, because even though she works three jobs, she can't afford insurance.我們曾為那個抓緊我的手的婦女奮斗，她問我“你將會做什么保證我得到醫療保險？”然后，她開始哭泣，因為她打三份工，也不能負擔保險的費用。

We fought for the young man in the Marine Corps t-shirt who waited months for medical care and said, “Take care of my buddies（同伴，伙伴，老兄）over there, and then will you please take care of me?”(APPLAUSE)我們曾為海軍陸戰隊的年輕戰士奮斗，他幾個月得不到治療，而他說“請先幫助我的伙伴，然后請關心我！”

We fought for all those who've lost jobs and health care, who can't afford gas or groceries or college, who have felt invisible（看不見的，隱藏的）to their president these last seven years.我們曾為那些失去工作和醫療保障的人們奮斗，為那些加不起汽油，生活拮據，負擔不起學費的人們奮斗，為那些在過去七年里被他們的總統視而不見的人們奮斗！

I entered this race because I have an old-fashioned conviction（堅定的信仰）that public service is about helping people solve their problems and live their dreams.I've had every opportunity and blessing in my own life, and I want the same for all Americans.我加入本次競選是因為我堅持那種老派的信念，擔任公職可以幫助人們解決問題，實現夢想。我這一生，已經獲得了許多機會和恩賜，而我希望，每個美國人都能如是。

And until that day comes, you'll always find me on the front lines of democracy, fighting for the future.(APPLAUSE)在那一天真正到來之前，你們會發現，我將一直站在民主政治的前沿，為將來而戰。

The way to continue our fight now, to accomplish the goals for which we stand is to take our energy, our passion, our strength, and do all we can to help elect Barack Obama, the next president of the United States.(APPLAUSE)而現在繼續我們戰斗，實現我們目標的方法就是奉獻我們的能量、激情和活力，盡我們所能幫助貝拉克奧巴馬成為美國的下任總統！Today, as I suspend（終止，暫停）my campaign, I congratulate him on the victory he has won and the extraordinary race he has run.I endorse（贊同，支持，認可；背書）him and throw my full support behind him.(APPLAUSE)今天，當我宣布中止我的競選，我祝賀他所贏得的勝利和他已經歷的非凡歷程。我支持他，全心全意地擁護他！And I ask all of you to join me in working as hard for Barack Obama as you have for me.(APPLAUSE)同時，我呼吁你們，象支持我一樣，全力支持貝拉克奧巴馬。I have served in the Senate（參議院，上院）with him for four years.I have been in this campaign with him for 16 months.I have stood on the stage and gone toe-to-toe with him in 22 debates.I've had a front-row seat to his candidacy（候選人資格）, and I have seen his strength and determination, his grace（風度，魅力，優雅）and his grit（勇氣和毅力）.我與他在參議院共事四年。本次競選中，與他相持對壘了16個月，同場進行了22場辯論。我近距離的了解了他，感受到了他的力量，決心，友善和勇氣。

In his own life, Barack Obama has lived the American dream, as a community organizer, in the State Senate, as a United States senator.He has dedicated himself to ensuring the dream is realized.And in this campaign, he has inspired so many to become involved in the democratic process and invested in our common future.作為社區組織者，州議員和聯邦參議員，奧巴馬身體力行，自己實踐了美國夢。他全力奉獻，確保夢想實現。在這次競選中，他已經鼓舞了那么多人參與民主進程，為我們共同的未來奮斗。Now, when I started this race, I intended to win back the White House and make sure we have a president who puts our country back on the path to peace, prosperity and progress.And that's exactly what we're going to do, by ensuring that Barack Obama walks through the doors of the Oval Office on January 20, 2009.(APPLAUSE)當我剛展開競選時，我期望奪回白宮，確保有一個總統，能給我們的國家帶來和平，繁榮和進步。而那也正是我們即將要做的，在2009年1月20日將奧巴馬送進橢圓形辦公室！

Now, I understand--I understand that we all know this has been a tough fight, but the Democratic Party is a family.And now it's time to restore the ties that bind us together and to come together around the ideals we share, the values we cherish, and the country we love.我明白--我當然明白，這將是一場艱苦的戰斗。但是民主黨親如一家。現在是時候萬眾一心，團結一致，為我們共同的理想、價值觀和我們所鐘愛的這個國家奮斗了！

We may have started on separate journeys, but today our paths have merged.And we're all heading toward the same destination, united and more ready than ever to win in November and to turn our country around, because so much is at stake（危如累卵，危險；瀕于險境，處于成敗關頭）.也許，我們曾經各自征戰，但今天殊途同歸。我們奔向同一個目標，緊密團結，空前準備，贏得11月的勝利，扭轉祖國前行的方向，因為形勢緊迫，必須懸崖勒馬。

We all want an economy that sustains the American dream, the opportunity to work hard and have that work rewarded, to save for college, a home and retirement, to afford that gas and those groceries, and still have a little left over at the end of the month, an economy that lifts all of our people and ensures that our prosperity is broadly distributed and shared.(APPLAUSE)我們都需要這樣的經濟狀況，可以維持美國夢，亦即既能得到辛勤工作的機會，也能勞有所獲，可以讀大學，維持一個家庭和保證退休生活，可以負擔汽油費和生活起居的費用，并且月有結余。我們需要這樣的經濟，能夠養育我們所有的人民，并且使繁榮和昌盛得以共享。We all want a health care system that is universal（全體的，廣泛的，普遍的，在世界各地的，世界性的）, high-quality and affordable......so that parents don't have to choose between care for themselves or their children or be stuck（開始起勁地做某事）in dead-end（盡頭的，棘手的，頑固的，無出路的）jobs simply to keep their insurance.我們都渴望一個普遍的，高質量的和可以負擔得起的醫療保健系統，以使父母們不必為照顧自己還是孩子艱難選擇，也不需要僅僅為了他們的保險艱苦謀生。

This isn't just an issue for me.It is a passion and a cause, and it is a fight I will continue until every single American is insured, no exceptions and no excuses.(APPLAUSE)于我而言，這不僅是一個議題。這是熱情，是事業，是一場我將永遠堅持的戰斗，直到每一個美國人得以毫無例外毫無爭議的享受這一權力。

We all want an America defined by deep and meaningful equality, from civil rights to labor rights, from women's rights to gay(同性戀的)rights...(APPLAUSE)...from ending discrimination（歧視，辨別，辨別力，識別力）to promoting unionization（工會）, to providing help for the most important job there is: caring for our families.我們都渴望每一個美國人擁有真正意義的平等，從公民權到勞動權，從婦女權力到同性戀的權力，從結束種族歧視到促進民族融合，再到重中之重，為我們的家庭提供可能的幫助。

And we all want to restore America's standing in the world, to end the war in Iraq, and once again lead by the power of our values...(APPLAUSE)...and to join with our allies（聯盟國，同盟者，協約國）to confront our shared challenges, from poverty and genocide（種族滅絕）to terrorism and global warming.我們也都渴望重樹美國的國際地位，結束伊拉克戰爭，再次在我們的價值觀的強大力量的領導下，與我們的盟友一起，勇敢地面對貧困，種族滅絕，恐怖主義和全球變暖的挑戰。

You know, I've been involved in politics and public life in one way or another for four decades.And during those...(APPLAUSE)During those 40 years, our country has voted 10 times for president.Democrats won only three of those times, and the man who won two of those elections is with us today.(APPLAUSE)你們知道，我以這樣或那樣的方式參與政治和社會生活已經40年了。在這40年中，我們國家共有10次總統選舉。民主黨人只贏得了其中的三次，而那位贏得了這其中兩次的人今天就在我們當中。We made tremendous progress during the '90s under a Democratic president, with a flourishing economy and our leadership for peace and security respected around the world.90年代，在民主黨領導的領導下，我們取得了巨大的成就，經濟繁榮，我們在世界和平和安全方面的卓越領導也贏得了世界的尊重。Just think how much more progress we could have made over the past 40 years if we'd had a Democratic president.Think about the lost opportunities of these past seven years on the environment and the economy, on health care and civil rights, on education, foreign policy and the Supreme Court.只要想想，在過去40年里，如果我們都擁有一個民主黨總統，我們將獲得多么偉大的成功阿！想想在過去七年我們在環境、國民經濟、醫療保障、公民權利、教育、外交政策和最高法院等方面所喪失的機會。

Imagine how far...(APPLAUSE)...we could have come, how much we could have achieved if we had just had a Democrat in the White House.(APPLAUSE)想想我們本來可以走得更遠，得到更多，只要我們在白宮有一位民主黨總統。

We cannot let this moment slip away.We have come too far and accomplished too much.我們不能再讓這次機會溜走。這次我們已經走得很遠，收獲了很多。Now, the journey ahead will not be easy.Some fwill say we can't do it, that it's too hard, we're just not up to the task.But for as long as America has existed, it has been the American way to reject can't-do claims and to choose instead to stretch the boundaries of the possible through hard work, determination, and a pioneering spirit.然而，前方的征程并不平坦。有些人會說，我們做不到，太難了。我們不能勝任這個工作。但自美國誕生起，就有了一條永不言不的美國之路，通過辛苦工作，決心和開拓精神爭取更多的可能。

It is this belief, this optimism that Senator Obama and I share and that has inspired so many millions of our supporters to make their voices heard.So today I am standing with Senator Obama to say: Yes, we can!(APPLAUSE)正是這種奧巴馬參議員和我一起分享的信念和樂觀主義精神，激勵了數以百萬計的支持者們發出了他們的聲音。所以今天我與奧巴馬參議員一起歡呼：是的，我們可以！

And that together we will work--we'll have to work hard to achieve universal health care.But on the day we live in an America where no child, no man, and no woman is without health insurance, we will live in a stronger America.That's why we need to help elect Barack Obama our president.(APPLAUSE)讓我們一起努力--我們必須努力爭取普及醫療保障。當有一天，我們生活的美國，沒有一個兒童，一個男人或一個女人沒有醫療保障時，我們將生活在更加一個強大的美國。這正是我們推選奧巴馬為美國總統的原因。

We'll have to work hard to get back to fiscal（政府財政的）responsibility and a strong middle class.But on the day we live in an America whose middle class is thriving（興旺的，旺盛的，繁榮的，欣欣向榮的）and growing again, where all Americans, no matter where they live or where their ancestors came from, can earn a decent（正派的，得體的，體面的，令人滿意的，相當好的）living, we will live in a stronger America.And that is why we must help elect Barack Obama our president.(APPLAUSE)我們必須努力拼搏以挽救經濟，創造強大的中產階級。當有一天，我們生活的美國，擁有興旺和茁壯成長的中產階層，那時的美國人，無論身處何處或者他們的祖先來自何方，都可以過得富足體面，我們將生活在一個更加強大的美國，這正是我們推選奧巴馬為美國總統的原因。

We'll have to work hard to foster（培養，促進）the innovation that will make us energy independent and lift the threat of global warming from our children's future.But on the day we live in an America fueled by renewable energy, we will live in a stronger America.And that is why we have to help elect Barack Obama our president.(APPLAUSE)我們必須努力拼搏，促進技術創新，以使能源生產不再依附他人，并使我們的孩子在未來避免全面變暖的威脅。當有一天，我們生活的美國使用的是可再生能源，我們將生活在一個更加強大的美國，這正是我們推選奧巴馬為美國總統的原因。

We'll have to work hard to bring our troops home from Iraq and get them the support they've earned by their service.But on the day we live in an America that's as loyal to our troops as they have been to us, we will live in a stronger America.And that is why we must help elect Barack Obama our president.(APPLAUSE)我們必須努力讓我們的軍人從伊拉克重返家園，并得到他們的支持。當有一天，軍民同心，報效祖國時，我們將生活在一個更加強大的美國，這正是我們推選奧巴馬為美國總統的原因。

This election is a turning-point election.And it is critical that we all understand what our choice really is.Will we go forward together, or will we stal（拖延，搪塞）l and slip backwards? Now, think how much progress we've already made.When we first started, people everywhere asked the same questions.Could a woman really serve as commander-in-chief（總司令）? Well, I think we answered that one.(APPLAUSE)這次的競選是一個轉折。它是如此關鍵，因此我們都懂得應如何抉擇。我們是共同向前，還是原地踏步甚或倒退？現在，想想我們已經取得了多少進步吧！當我們剛剛行動時，所有人都問同樣一個問題, 一個女人可以成為三軍總司令嗎？我想我們已經漂亮地回答了這個問題。

Could an African-American really be our president? And Senator Obama has answered that one.(APPLAUSE)一個非洲裔美國人可以成為我們總統嗎？奧巴馬參議員也已經給出了答案。

Together, Senator Obama and I achieved milestones（重要事件，里程碑，重要階段，轉折點）essential（必不可少的，絕對必要的，非常重要的）to our progress as a nation, part of our perpetual（永久的，終生的，）duty to form a more perfect union.奧巴馬參議員已經和我一起為這個國家成為一個更加完美的聯邦取得了里程碑式的進步。

Now, on a personal note（暗示，含義）, when I was asked what it means to be a woman running for president, I always gave the same answer, that I was proud to be running as a woman, but I was running because I thought I'd be the best president.But...(APPLAUSE)現在，請讓我談談個人的體會。當我被問及，競選總統對一個女人意味著什么，我總是同樣的回答，即我為以一個女人競選總統感到自豪，雖然，我參加競選是因為我認為我會成為最好的總統，但是。。But I am a woman and, like millions of women, I know there are still barriers and biases（偏見，偏心，偏袒）out there, often unconscious（未察覺的，失去知覺的，無意識的）, and I want to build an America that respects and embraces（包含，包括，接受，信奉，皈依）the potential of every last one of us.(APPLAUSE)象數百萬女性同胞一樣，我仍然是一個女人。我知道（在女性成功的道路上）仍然存在著許多障礙和偏見，很多往往是潛意識的。我希望可以創造一個美國，她尊敬和包容我們當中的每一個人發揮他的潛力。

I ran as a daughter who benefited from opportunities my mother never dreamed of.I ran as a mother who worries about my daughter's future and a mother who wants to leave all children brighter tomorrows.我作為一個女兒參選，我獲得了我母親從未夢想能得到的機會。我也作為一個母親參選，我同樣擔心女兒未來的生活，同樣期望給她更加美好的未來。

To build that future I see, we must make sure that women and men alike understand the struggles of their grandmothers and their mothers, and that women enjoy equal opportunities, equal pay, and equal respect.(APPLAUSE)為創造那個未來，我們必須保證女人和男人能同樣知曉他們的祖母，母親曾經的奮斗歷程，女人必須得到公平的機會，報酬和尊重。Let us...(APPLAUSE)Let us resolve（決定，決心；解決）and work toward achieving very simple propositions（論點，主張；建議，提案；命題）: There are no acceptable limits, and there are no acceptable prejudices in the 21st century in our country.(APPLAUSE)讓我們下定決心，一起向前，達成最簡單的目標：21世紀的美國，再沒有什么可以接受的對婦女的限制，再沒有對婦女的任何歧視。You can be so proud that, from now on, it will be unremarkable（尋常的，不值得注意的）for a woman to win primary state victories...(APPLAUSE)...unremarkable to have a woman in a close race to be our nominee（被提名者，北任命者）, unremarkable to think that a woman can be the president of the United States.And that is truly remarkable, my friends.(APPLAUSE)To those who are disappointed that we couldn't go all of the way, especially the young people who put so much into this campaign, it would break my heart if, in falling short of my goal, I in any way discouraged any of you from pursuing yours.你們可以為此驕傲，從此刻起，一個女性贏得初選，沒什么大不了，得到最終提名，沒什么大不了，成為美國總統，也不值得大驚小怪。而我的朋友們，你們才真的了不起。許多人非常失望，因我們未能走完全程，特別是那些年輕人，為競選竭盡心力。如果因為我的功敗垂成，讓你們在以后追求自己的目標時喪失勇氣，我會萬分難過。Always aim high, work hard, and care deeply about what you believe in.And, when you stumble（絆腳，出錯）, keep faith.And, when you're knocked down, get right back up and never listen to anyone who says you can't or shouldn't go on.(APPLAUSE)始終志存高遠，勤奮工作，執著信念。跌倒了，仍然堅守信仰；被擊倒，馬上站起來，決不要聽任何人說你不能或不該繼續前行。As we gather here today in this historic, magnificent building, the 50th woman to leave this Earth is orbiting（在。。軌道上運行，環繞軌道運行）overhead.If we can blast 50 women into space, we will someday launch a woman into the White House.(APPLAUSE)當我們今天相聚在這具有歷史意義的宏偉建筑中時，第五十位離開地球的女性正在我們頭頂繞地球飛行。既然我們已經將50個女人送上太空，那終有一天，我們可以將1個女人送入白宮。

Although we weren't able to shatter（砸碎，粉碎）that highest, hardest glass ceiling this time, thanks to you, it's got about 18 million cracks（裂縫；意外的一下重擊）in it...(APPLAUSE)...and the light is shining through like never before, filling us all with the hope and the sure knowledge that the path will be a little easier next time.雖然這次我們未能將那塊最高最硬的玻璃天花板擊碎，但是因為你們，這天花板已經添了1800萬條裂縫，而陽光從未如今天一樣傾灑而下，使我們每個人充滿希望，而且確信下一次的征途要平坦很多。That has always been the history of progress in America.Think of the suffragists who gathered at Seneca Falls in 1848 and those who kept fighting until women could cast their votes.美國的歷史發展向來如此。想想那些1848年聚集在塞尼卡福爾斯的婦女參政主義者和為婦女投票權堅持戰斗的人們；

Think of the abolitionists（廢除主義者，廢奴主義者）who struggled and died to see the end of slavery.Think of the civil rights heroes and foot soldiers who marched, protested, and risked their lives to bring about the end of segregation（分開，隔離）and Jim Crow.(APPLAUSE)想想那些為結束奴隸制而奮斗犧牲的廢奴主義者們，想想為結束種族隔離和種族歧視制度游行，示威，甘冒生命危險的民權英雄和斗士們。Because of them, I grew up taking for granted that women could vote and, because of them, my daughter grew up taking for granted that children of all colors could go to school together.因為他們，我從小就認為婦女參政天經地義；因為他們，我的女兒從小就認為不同膚色的孩子一起上學是理所當然。

Because of them, Barack Obama and I could wage a hard-fought campaign for the Democratic nomination.Because of them and because of you, children today will grow up taking for granted that an African-American or a woman can, yes, become the president of the United States.And so...(APPLAUSE)因為他們，貝拉克奧巴馬和我才能為贏得民主黨提名權激烈競爭。因為他們，還有你們，今天的孩子從小就認為非洲裔美國人或者一個女人應該可以成為美國的總統。

...when that day arrives, and a woman takes the oath（誓言，誓約）of office as our president, we will all stand taller, proud of the values of our nation, proud that every little girl can dream big and that her dreams can come true in America.因此，當那一天真的來臨，一個女人宣誓就職，我們將站得更高，驕傲于我們國家的價值理念，驕傲于每一個小女孩可以夢想遠大，并且，在美國，她可以夢想成真。

And all of you will know that, because of your passion and hard work, you helped pave the way for that day.So I want to say to my supporters: When you hear people saying or think to yourself, “If only, or, ”What if," I say, please, don't go there.Every moment wasted looking back keeps us from moving forward.(APPLAUSE)你們每個人都知道，因著你們的熱情和辛勤工作，你們已經幫助鋪設了通往那一天的道路。所以我要對我的支持者們說，當你聽到人們說或你們自己琢磨，真希望如何如何，或者如果怎樣就會怎樣，請你們放棄那些想法。回首過去浪費的每個時刻都將妨礙我們邁步向前。Life is too short, time is too precious, and the stakes（（賽馬，競賽的）獎金）are too high to dwell（居住）on what might have been.We have to work together for what still can be.And that is why I will work my heart out to make sure that Senator Obama is our next president.(APPLAUSE)人生短暫，時間寶貴，沉湎過去，代價高昂。我們要面對現實，共同奮斗。正因如此，我將殫精竭慮，確保奧巴馬參議員成為我們的下屆總統。And I hope and pray that all of you will join me in that effort.(APPLAUSE)同時，我希望和祈求你們與我一起努力。

To my supporters and colleagues in Congress, to the governors and mayors, elected officials who stood with me in good times and bad, thank you for your strength and leadership.我謹感謝無論順境逆境都支持我的國會同事們，州長們，市長們，官員們，謝謝你們賜予我的力量和領導力；

To my friends in our labor unions who stood strong every step of the way, I thank you and pledge（發誓，保證，承諾）my support to you.我謹感謝我在工會的朋友們，你們一直堅定地支持我，謝謝你們，我永遠與你們一起；

To my friends from every stage of my life, your love and ongoing commitment sustained me every single day.我謹感謝在我人生各個階段的朋友們，你們的愛和不變的承諾使我每一天始終如一；

To my family, especially Bill and Chelsea and my mother, you mean the world to me, and I thank you for all you have done.(APPLAUSE)我謹感謝我的家庭，特別是比爾和切爾西，還有我的媽媽。對我來說，你們意味著整個世界。感謝你們為我所做的一切。And to my extraordinary staff, volunteers and supporters...(APPLAUSE)同時感謝我非凡的員工們，志愿者們和其他所有支持者們。。...thank you for working those long, hard hours.Thank you for dropping everything, leaving work or school, traveling to places that you've never been, sometimes for months on end（連續的）.And thanks to your families, as well, because your sacrifice was theirs, too.All of you were there for me every step of the way.謝謝你們漫長艱苦的工作。謝謝你們拋棄一切，離開工作崗位或者學校，來到陌生的地方，有時甚至長達數月。也要謝謝你們的家庭，因為同樣也是他們在為我犧牲。我的每一步征程都有你們相伴。Now, being human, we are imperfect.That's why we need each other, to catch each other when we falter（顫抖，猶豫，畏縮，蹣跚，踉蹌）, to encourage each other when we lose heart.Some may lead, some may follow, but none of us can go it alone.人無完人，所以我們互相需要。當我們步履蹣跚，我們相互扶持；當我們人生失意，我們相互鼓勵；有人會領頭，有人會跟隨，但我們當中無人獨行。

The changes we're working for are changes that we can only accomplish together.Life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness are rights that belong to us as individuals.But our lives, our freedom, our happiness are best enjoyed, best protected, and best advanced when we do work together.我們所要實現的變革需要大家共同努力。生命，自由和對幸福的追求是屬于每個個體的權利。但是只有當我們一起奮斗，我們的生命，自由和對幸福的追求才能得到最充分的享有，最安全的保護和最完善的發展。

That is what we will do now, as we join forces with Senator Obama and his campaign.We will make history together, as we write the next chapter in America's story.We will stand united for the values we hold dear（珍貴的，珍視的）, for the vision of progress we share, and for the country we love.這正是我們現在所要做的，我們加入參議員奧巴馬的陣營，為他助選。我們將一起創造歷史，續寫美國傳奇的新的篇章。為了我們緊守的價值觀，為了我們進步的遠景，為了我們所愛的這個國家，讓我們緊密團結！

There is nothing more American than that.非美國人，不能如此！

And looking out at you today, I have never felt so blessed.The challenges that I have faced in this campaign...(APPLAUSE)...are nothing compared to those that millions of Americans face every day in their own lives.此刻，放眼望去，我從未如此欣慰。和無數美國人每天要面對的挑戰相比，我在競選中面臨的挑戰微不足道。

So today I'm going to count my blessings and keep on going.I'm going to keep doing what I was doing long before the cameras ever showed up and what I'll be doing long after they're gone: working to give every American the same opportunities I had and working to ensure that every child has the chance to grow up and achieve his or her God-given（天賜的，神授的，難得的）potential.所以今天我要珍惜這份賜福，繼續昂首前行。我將繼續我的使命，這個使命在鎂光燈閃動的很久之前已經開始，當燈光散盡很久之后也不會停止。那就是：致力于給每個美國人同樣的機會，保證每個孩子成長的機會和讓他的天賦之才得以實踐。

I will do it with a heart filled with gratitude, with a deep and abiding（持久的，永久的）love for our country, and with nothing but optimism and confidence for the days ahead.我將以一顆滿懷感恩，熱愛祖國，樂觀向上，積極自信的心去踐諾我的誓言。

This is now our time to do all that we can to make sure that, in this election, we add another Democratic president to that very small list of the last 40 years and that we take back our country and once again move with progress and commitment to the future.現在，我們要做的是盡己所能，為過去40年來那張短短的民主黨總統名單添上一位。我們奪回我們的國家，讓她再次帶著進步和責任走向未來。

Thank you all.And God bless you, and God bless America.謝謝大家。上帝賜福你們，天佑美國！

第二篇：希拉里退選演講稿

希拉里退選演講稿（中文）

非常謝謝大家，謝謝你們。

今天的聚會我可沒事先準備的啊，不過很高興有你們在！

今天一開始我想對大家說聲衷心的感謝，感謝那些為（我的）競選盡心盡力的人們，感謝那些開車過來，站在街道兩旁舉著自制的標語的人們，感謝大家能省吃省喝踴躍籌款，還有登門拜訪的，打電話來的，（為支持我）和朋友鄰居發生爭執的，還有那些寫email的和上網捐款的的人們，是你們給了我們活動太多太多支持，我在此一并向大家表示感謝。看到爸爸媽媽帶著孩子也加入進來，父母小聲對肩膀上的孩子們說：“看見沒，有夢想就能實現。”

我也應該感謝像安這樣的年輕人們，她今年剛13歲，來自俄亥俄州的梅菲爾得市，她決定把過去兩年中本為去迪士尼攢下的錢用來去賓夕法尼亞和媽媽一起充當志愿者。還有那些退伍老兵，孩提時的朋友，以及紐約和阿肯色地區的人們，你們不遠萬里來到這里，并轉告其他任何人，相信他們同你們一樣支持我。

要對那些80后和90后的女選民們說聲謝謝，她們還不到投票年齡，但是很多人還是給我們投了票。另外我曾給大家提起過一個人，她叫弗朗斯?斯汀，南達卡達州人，當時88歲的她堅持讓自己女兒把一張缺席選舉人票拿到了病床前，女兒和一個朋友把一面美國旗放到媽媽躺的床后面，并幫她填寫了選票。然后沒過多久就去世了，根據國家法律，這一票不能計入最后結果。但是女孩后來對記者說到：“我爸性子很倔，聽說媽媽的投票沒被采用，當時就不高興了，他二十年都沒投過一次票，這次算是替媽媽投了一票。”

我親愛的選民們，我曾經承諾過的人們，我感謝你們，雖然結果不盡如人意，可很感謝你們能陪我堅持現在，你們的快樂與悲傷激勵了我，也感動了我，完整了我們的生命，在你們對國家的承諾上，我的承諾相比遜色不少。

1800萬的你們來自社會的角角落落：男男女女，老老少少，拉丁人亞洲人，美國黑人高加索人，有富人有窮人，有中產階級有同性戀者，也有非同性戀者。你們都和我并肩作戰，我將繼續和你們大家共同戰斗，無論何時何地，盡我一切所能。我們擁有同樣的夢想，我們一起為之奮斗，為之拼搏。

記住—讓我們奮斗起來，為了帶著女兒，又是公司又是學校的單身媽媽，她曾告訴我，我做的一切都是讓我這個母親更稱職；讓我們奮斗起來，為了抓住我的手的婦女，她問我，怎么樣才能保證我能載上健康保險啊，聽到這我哭了，因為即使她做三份工，也是無濟于事的；讓我們奮斗起來，為了等候接受醫療保障的海軍陸戰隊隊員，他說，照顧好我的兄弟，還能照顧下我嗎。讓我們站起來，為那些失去工作和保險的人們，為那些不能支付得起加油費，日常支出和大學的費用的人們而奮斗，而他們的總統在過去七年中對其卻視若不見。

我進入這次競選是因為我既傳統又堅定地認為，公共事業本是為幫助人民解決問題，實現夢想的。我的一生得到過無數次機會和祝福的垂青，同樣也希望所有的機遇與祝福會垂青所有美國人。等到了那一天，你總能看到我站在民主的最前線—為未來而戰。如今我們繼續我們的戰斗，繼續我們待完成的目標，怎么做呢，就讓我收拾好精力與熱情，凝聚我們的力量盡我們一切所能推舉巴拉克?奧巴馬成為 1

下界美國總統。

今天，在我停止競選之際，我慶祝他獲得的勝利，也為其獻上的絕妙競選而叫好。我支持他，傾全力支持他的勝利，同時我要求諸位和我一道為巴拉克?奧巴馬努力爭取，就像支持我一樣支持他。

我們一起在參議院工作四年，競選中和他打了16個月口水仗，然后接二連三地和他進行過22次辯論，我很了解他的競選狀態，同樣也在他身上看到了力量與決心，優雅與膽識。巴拉克一生都在實現美國夢，從一個社區組織人做起，到國會參議院，再到美國參議員，每走下的一步都確保著夢的實現。這次競選中，他鼓勵很多人參與到民主進程中來，并激勵他們為我們共同的將來出力獻策。

說起來，我在一開始競選的時候，目的只有一個，那就是贏回白宮，保證我們中走出一名總統，把我們的國家帶回到和平，繁榮和發展的軌道上來。這就是我們為什么要力挺奧巴馬2009年1月20日入主橢形辦公室的原因。

我懂得，我們大家都知道這場戰斗是多么艱難，民主黨人親如一家，現在是時候重修情意了，讓我們聯起手來，相聚在共同的理想和價值之下，相聚在深愛的祖國之下。

過去我們一度產生過分歧，但是今天，我們融合成了一個集體，朝向相同的方向前行，以一種以往所未曾見的團結一致來獲得九月的勝利，改造我們的國家，畢竟我們經歷的危險太多了。人民需要的是能實現美國夢的經濟：努力工作的機會以及勞有所得，攢錢上大學，維持家庭，應對退休；負擔得起汽油費和其他生活用品開支，并在月底有所結余。廣泛接受的經濟是能滿足人民需求，保證人民生活富裕的經濟。

人民需要一種普世的健康保障體系，高效不超出支付能力以外。這樣，父母們就不必為自己和孩子的保險而猶豫不決了，也省去了為交保險費去做短工的麻煩。對我來說，這不單單是件事情，是熱情，是理由，是斗爭，斗爭到每個美國人都享有保險，無一例外，沒有借口。

人民需要一個充滿真正意義上公平的美國，從人權到勞動權，從婦女權到同性戀權，從結束歧視到促進工會制，再到為我們的重中之重伸以援手，那就是愛護家庭。

我們都期望恢復美國在世界上的地位，結束伊拉克戰爭，再次以價值的力量領導全球，與我們的盟友一起面對來自貧窮，種族滅絕，恐怖主義和全球變暖的挑戰。我直接或間接地參政議政已有已有四十年了。四十年里，國家選舉產生過十位總統，其中民主黨人只贏得了三次，今天那贏得兩次勝利的人（譯注：指丈夫克林頓）就在場。在這位民主黨總統的領導下，90年代我們突飛猛進，經濟空前繁榮，成功主導了世界的安全與和平，得到全世界的尊重。不難想象，我們在他的領導下，或許能做出更大的成績。倒過來想，過去的七年中我們又喪失了多少機會，環境的，經濟的，醫療健康的，公民權力的，還有教育和外交政策的，和立法的。或許我們能走的更遠，能取得的更多，只要白宮里住上民主黨人。

現在不能再與之失之交臂了，我們走的太遠了，付出的也太多了。

不過面前的路并非坦途，有人會說，太難了做不到，還不夠格。我要說的是，只要美國在地球還存在，說這種話的人就不配做美國人，真正的美國人將歷經辛苦工作，堅韌的信心和開拓精神，不遺余力地跨域任何可能的疆域。

這種信念，這份樂觀，激勵了我和奧巴馬；這種信念，這份樂觀，激勵了百萬的你們，讓支持的聲音響徹太空。

所以今天，我和參議院奧巴馬并肩站立，高喊：“我們能”

這次的競選是一次轉折，關鍵是我們需要知道真正的選擇是什么，我們是要一往無前，還是卻步不前，我們到底走了多遠，競選伊始，到處有人在問同樣的問題：

一個女人能當司令嗎？這個，我想大家給出了完美的答案。

那么一個美國黑人可以當上總統嗎？參議員奧巴馬給出了另一個完美的答案。

如今回想起來我過去，有人問我一個女人競選總統會是什么樣子，對此我的回答總是，競選總統我感到很自豪，競選總統是因為我會是最好的總統。不過最為女人，和千千萬萬的女人一樣，我深知還存在好多障礙和偏見，很多都不被人察覺。

從今以后，可以驕傲地宣稱，女人贏得初選勝利不可思議，女人最靠近黨內候選人不可思議，女人能成為美國總統不可思議，事實上一切都可思議。今天我們相聚在這歷史的莊嚴的大樓里，可知道現在已是第五十名女性在太空行走。如果能把50個女人送上太空，將來把一名女性送進白宮又有何難。

盡管這次我們沒能把這個厚厚的，重重的緊箍咒打碎（譯注：指限制女性職場發展的瓶頸(世界經理人博客http://blog.icxo.com)，這里做了歸化處理），但是感謝大家，我已經看到了1800萬個裂縫怎樣的分裂著它，從未有這樣一縷光照進來，照的我們充滿希望，充滿確信，相信這道光會越照越亮。美國的歷史總是這樣發展著的。

生命苦短，時間乃貴。付出卻換來風險無數。讓我們為著希望而努力，這就是為什么我全心全意確保奧巴馬成為國家總統的原因，在此也希望你們能和我一起為他加油，為他爭取。

看著你們，我從未如此感到幸福。競選中遇到的挫折與萬萬千千的美國人民遇到的挫折相比算不得什么，所以今天我要細數我的祝福，并繼續下去。離開鎂光燈，做那個以前的我；離開公眾的視野，做那個將來的我，努力給每個美國人帶來我擁有過的機會，保證每個孩子都能茁壯成長，發揮自身潛力。

我將懷揣一顆感恩的心前行，懷揣一種對國家深深的愛而努力，懷揣一份自信樂觀的態度迎接明日。現在我們是時候盡一切所能確保這次競選另一位民主黨人的名字可以出現在那四十年不遇的總統候選人名單中。同樣，我們將再次收回我們的國家，帶著對未來的期盼與承諾向前進！

謝謝大家，上帝保佑你們，保佑美國。

第三篇：希拉里退選演講稿

Thank you so much.Thank you all.Well, this isn’t exactly the party I’d planned, but I sure like the company.I want to start today by saying how grateful I am to all of you to everyone who poured your hearts and your hopes into this campaign, who drove for miles and lined the streets waving homemade signs, who scrimped and saved to raise money, who knocked on doors and made calls, who talked and sometimes argued with your friends and neighbors, who emailed and contributed online, who invested so much in our common enterprise, to the moms and dads who came to our events, who lifted their little girls and little boys on their shoulders and whispered in their ears, See, you can be anything you want to be.To the young people like 13 year-old Ann Riddle from Mayfield, Ohio who had been saving for two years to go to Disney World, and decided to use her savings instead to travel to Pennsylvania with her Mom and volunteer there as well.To the veterans and the childhood friends, to New Yorkers and Arkansans who traveled across the country and telling anyone who would listen why you supported me.To all those women in their 80s and their 90s born before women could vote who cast their votes for our campaign.I’ve told you before about Florence Steen of South Dakota, who was 88 years old, and insisted that her daughter bring an absentee ballot to her hospice bedside.Her daughter and a friend put an American flag behind her bed and helped her fill out the ballot.She passed away soon after, and under state law, her ballot didn’t count.But her daughter later told a reporter.My dad ?’s an ornery old cowboy, and he didn’t like it when he heard mom’s vote wouldn’t be counted.I don’t think he had voted in 20 years.But he voted in place of my mom.To all those who voted for me, and to whom I pledged my utmost, my commitment to you and to the progress we seek is unyielding.You have inspired and touched me with the stories of the joys and sorrows that make up the fabric of our lives and you have humbled me with your commitment to our country.million of you from all walks of life¨Cwomen and men,young

and

old，Latino

and

Asian, African-American and Caucasian, rich, poor and middle class,gay and straight¨Cyou have stood strong with me.And I will continue to stand strong with you,every time, every place,and every way that I can.The dreams we share are worth fighting for.Remember-we fought for the single mom with a young daughter, juggling work and school,who told me,?°I?ˉm doing it all to better myself for her.?±We fought for the woman who grabbed my hand, and asked me,?°What are you going to do to make sure I have health care??±and began to cry because even though she works three jobs,she can?ˉt afford insurance.We fought for the young man in the Marine Corps t-shirt who waited months for medical care and said, ?°Take care of my buddies over there and then, will you please help take care of me??± We fought for all those who?ˉve lost jobs and health care,who can?ˉt afford gas or groceries or college, who have felt invisible to their president these last seven years.I entered this race because I have an old-fashioned conviction: that public service is about helping people solve their problems and live their dreams.I?ˉve had every opportunity and blessing in my own life¨Cand I want the same for all Americans.Until that day comes,you will always find me on the front lines of democracy-fighting for the future.The way to continue our fight now¨Cto accomplish the goals for which we stand¨Cis to take our energy, our passion, our strength and do all we can to help elect Barack Obama the next President of the United States.Today,as I suspend my campaign,I congratulate him on the victory he has won and the extraordinary race he has run.I endorse him, and throw my full support behind him.And I ask all of you to join me in working as hard for Barack Obama as you have for me.I have served in the Senate with him for four years.I have been in this campaign with him for 16 months.I have stood on the stage and gone toe-to-toe with him in 22 debates.I have had a front row seat to his candidacy, and I have seen his strength and determination, his grace and his grit.In his own life, Barack Obama has lived the American Dream.As a community organizer,in the state senate,as a United States Senator-he has dedicated himself to ensuring the dream is realized.And in this campaign,he has inspired so many to become involved in the democratic process and invested in our common future.Now when I started this race,I intended to win back the White House,and make sure we have a president who puts our country back on the path to peace, prosperity, and progress.And that's exactly what we're going to do by ensuring that Barack Obama walks through the doors of the Oval Office on January 20,2009.I understand that we all know this has been a tough fight.The Democratic Party is a family, and it?ˉs now time to restore the ties that bind us together and to come together around the ideals we share, the values we cherish, and the country we love.We may have started on separate journeys¨Cbut today, our paths have merged.And we are all heading toward the same destination, united and more ready than ever to win in November and to turn our country around because so much is at stake.We all want an economy that sustains the American Dream, the opportunity to work hard and have that work rewarded, to save for college, a home and retirement, to afford that gas and those groceries and still have a little left over at the end of the month.An economy that lifts all of our people and ensures that our prosperity is broadly distributed and shared.We all want a health care system that is universal, high quality, and affordable so that parents no longer have to choose between care for themselves or their children or be stuck in dead end jobs simply to keep their insurance.This isn?ˉt just an issue for me¨Cit is a passion and a cause¨Cand it is a fight I will continue until every single American is insured¨Cno exceptions, no excuses.We all want an America defined by deep and meaningful equality¨C from civil rights to labor rights,from women?ˉs rights to gay rights, from ending discrimination to promoting unionization to providing help for the most important job there is: caring for our families.We all want to restore America?ˉs standing in the world,to end the war in Iraq and once again lead by the power of our values, and to join with our allies to confront our shared challenges from poverty and genocide to terrorism and global warming.You know,I?ˉve been involved in politics and public life in one way or another for four decades.During those forty years, our country has voted ten times for President.Democrats won only three of those times.And the man who won two of those elections is with us today.We made tremendous progress during the 90s under a Democratic President, with a flourishing economy, and our leadership for peace and security respected around the world.Just think how much more progress we could have made over the past 40 years if we had a Democratic

president.Think

about

the

lost opportunities of these past seven years¨Con the environment and the economy, on health care and civil rights,on education, foreign policy and the Supreme Court.Imagine how far we could?ˉve come, how much we could?ˉve achieved if we had just had a Democrat in the White House.We cannot let this moment slip away.We have come too far and accomplished too much.Now the journey ahead will not be easy.Some will say we can?ˉt do it.That it?ˉs too hard.That we?ˉre just not up to the task.But for as long as America has existed, it has been the

American

way

to

reject?°can?ˉt do?±claims,and to choose instead to stretch the boundaries of the possible through hard work, determination, and a pioneering spirit.It is this belief,this optimism, that Senator Obama and I share, and that has inspired so many millions of our supporters to make their voices heard.So today,I am standing with Senator Obama to say: Yes we can.Together we will work.We?ˉll have to work hard to get universal health care.But on the day we live in an America where no child, no man,and no woman is without health insurance, we will live in a stronger America.That?ˉs why we need to help elect Barack Obama our President.We?ˉll have to work hard to get back to fiscal responsibility and a strong middle class.But on the day we live in an America whose middle class is thriving and growing again,where all Americans,no matter where they live or where their ancestors came from,can earn a decent living,we will live in a stronger America and that is why we must elect Barack Obama our President.We?ˉll have to work hard to foster the innovation that makes us energy independent and lift the threat of global warming from our children?ˉs future.But on the day we live in an America fueled by renewable energy,we will live in a stronger America.That?ˉs why we have to help elect Barack Obama our President.We?ˉll have to work hard to bring our troops home from Iraq,and get them the support they?ˉve earned by their service.But on the day we live in an America that?ˉs as loyal to our troops as they have been to us, we will live in a stronger America and that is why we must help elect Barack Obama our President.This election is a turning point election and it is critical that we all understand what our choice really is.Will we go forward together or will we stall and slip backwards.Think how much progress we have already made.When we first started,people everywhere asked the same questions:Could a woman really serve as Commander-in-Chief? Well, I think we answered that one.And could an African American really be our President? Senator Obama has answered that one.Together Senator Obama and I achieved milestones essential to our progress as a nation,part of our perpetual duty to form a more perfect union.Now, on a personal note¨Cwhen I was asked what it means to be a woman running for President,I always gave the same answer:that I was proud to be running as a woman but I was running because I thought I?ˉd be the best President.But I am a woman,and like millions of women,I know there are still barriers and biases out there, often unconscious.I want to build an America that respects and embraces the potential of every last one of us.I ran as a daughter who benefited from opportunities my mother never dreamed of.I ran as a mother who worries about my daughter?ˉs future and a mother who wants to lead all children to brighter tomorrows.To build that future I see, we must make sure that women and men alike understand the struggles of their grandmothers and mothers,and that women enjoy equal opportunities,equal pay,and equal respect.Let us resolve and work toward achieving some very simple propositions:There are no acceptable limits and there are no acceptable prejudices in the twenty-first century.You can be so proud that,from now on,it will be unremarkable for a woman to win primary state victories,unremarkable to have a woman in a close race to be our nominee,unremarkable to think that a woman can be the President of the United States.And that is truly remarkable.To those who are disappointed that we couldn?ˉt go all the way¨C especially the young people who put so much into this campaign-it would break my heart if, in falling short of my goal,I in any way discouraged any of you from pursuing yours.Always aim high, work hard,and care deeply about what you believe in.When you stumble,keep faith.When you?ˉre knocked down,get right back up.And never listen to anyone who says you can?ˉt or shouldn?ˉt go on.As we gather here today in this historic magnificent building, the 50th woman to leave this Earth is orbiting overhead.If we can blast 50 women into space, we will someday launch a woman into the White House.Although we

weren?ˉt

able

to

shatter

that highest,hardest glass ceiling this time,thanks to you,it?ˉs got about 18 million cracks in it.And the light is shining through like never before, filling us all with the hope and the sure knowledge that the path will be a little easier next time.That has always been the history of progress in America.Think of the suffragists who gathered at Seneca Falls in 1848 and those who kept fighting until women could

cast

their

votes.Think

of

the abolitionists who struggled and died to see the end of slavery.Think

of the

civil

rights heroes

and foot-soldiers who marched protested and risked their lives to bring about the end to segregation and Jim Crow.Because of them, I grew up taking for granted that women could vote.Because of them, my daughter grew up taking for granted that children of all colors could go to school together.Because of them, Barack Obama and I could wage a hard fought campaign for the Democratic nomination.Because of them, and because of you, children today will grow up taking for granted that an African American or a woman can yes, become President of the United States.When that day arrives and a woman takes the oath of office as our President, we will all stand taller, proud of the values of our nation, proud that every little girl can dream and that her dreams can come true in America.And all of you will know that because of your passion and hard work you helped pave the way for that day.So I want to say to my supporters, when you hear people saying ¨C or think to yourself ¨C ?°if only?± or ?°what if,?± I say,?°please don?ˉt go there.?±

Every moment wasted looking back keeps us from moving forward.Life is too short, time is too precious, and the stakes are too high to dwell on what might have been.We have to work together for what still can be.And that is why I will work my heart out to make sure that Senator Obama is our next President.And I hope and pray that all of you will join me in that effort.To my supporters and colleagues in Congress, to the governors and mayors, elected officials who stood with me, in good times and in bad,thank you for your strength and leadership.To my friends in our labor unions who stood strong every step of the way ¨C I thank you and pledge my support to you.To my friends, from every stage of my life ¨C your love and ongoing commitments sustain me every single day.To my family ¨C especially Bill and Chelsea and my mother, you mean the world to me and I thank you for all you have done.And to my extraordinary staff, volunteers and supporters, thank you for working those long, hard hours.Thank you for dropping everything¨Cleaving work or school¨Ctraveling to places you?ˉd never been, sometimes for months on end.And thanks to your families as well because your sacrifice was theirs too.All of you were there for me every step of the way.Being human, we are imperfect.That?ˉs why we need each other.To catch each other when we falter.To encourage each other when we lose heart.Some may lead;others may follow;but none of us can go it alone.The changes we?ˉre working for are changes that we can only accomplish together.Life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness are rights that belong to each of us as individuals.But our lives,our freedom, our happiness,are best enjoyed,best protected, and best advanced when we do work together.That is what we will do now as we join forces with Senator Obama and his campaign.We will make history together as we write the next chapter in America?ˉs story.We will stand united for the values we hold dear, for the vision of progress we share, and for the country we love.There is nothing more American than that.And looking out at you today, I have never felt so blessed.The challenges that I have faced in this campaign are nothing compared to those that millions of Americans face every day in their own lives.So today, I?ˉm going to count my blessings and keep on going.I?ˉm going to keep doing what I was doing long before the cameras ever showed up and what I?ˉll be doing long after they?ˉre gone: Working to give every American the same opportunities I had, and working to ensure that every child has the chance to grow up and achieve his or her God-given potential.I will do it with a heart filled with gratitude, with a deep and abiding love for our country¨C and with nothing but optimism and confidence for the days ahead.This is now our time to do all that we can to make sure that in this election we add another Democratic president to that very small list of the last 40 years and that we take back our country and once again move with progress and commitment to the future.Thank you all and God bless you and God bless America.

第四篇：希拉里的退選演說Hillary Clinton Endorsement Speech

希拉里的退選演說Hillary Clinton Endorsement Speech 6月7日，美國民主黨總統競選人希拉里在華盛頓正式宣布停止競選，轉而支持競爭對手奧巴馬成為總統。希拉里的推選演說內容可圈可點，贏得陣陣掌聲，雖然選舉失敗，但離開得仍然如同一個勝者。這篇演講稿是難得的翻譯素材。

Thank you very, very much.Well, this isn't exactly the party I'd planned, but I sure like the company.And I want to start today by saying how grateful I am to all of you, to everyone who poured your hearts and your hopes into this campaign, who drove for miles and lined the streets waving homemade signs, who scrimped and saved to raise money, who knocked on doors and made calls, who talked, sometimes argued with your friends and neighbors......who e-mailed and contributed online, who invested so much in our common enterprise, to the moms and dads who came to our events, who lifted their little girls and little boys on their shoulders and whispered in their ears, “See, you can be anything you want to be.” To the young people......like 13-year-old Anne Riddell(ph)from Mayfield, Ohio, who had been saving for two years to go to Disney World and decided to use her savings instead to travel to Pennsylvania with her mom and volunteer there, as well.To the veterans, to the childhood friends, to New Yorkers and Arkansans......who traveled across the country, telling anyone who would listen why you supported me.And to all of those women in their 80s and their 90s......born before women could vote, who cast their votes for our campaign.I've told you before about Florence Stein(ph)of South Dakota who was 88 years old and insisted that her daughter bring an absentee ballot to her hospice bedside.Her daughter and a friend put an American flag behind her bed and helped her fill out the ballot.She passed away soon after and, under state law, her ballot didn't count, but her daughter later told a reporter, “My dad's an ornery, old cowboy, and he didn't like it when he heard Mom's vote wouldn't be counted.I don't think he had voted in 20 years, but he voted in place of my mom.” So to all those who voted for me and to whom I pledged my utmost, my commitment to you and to the progress we seek is unyielding.You have inspired and touched me with the stories of the joys and sorrows that make up the fabric of our lives.And you have humbled me with your commitment to our country.Eighteen million of you, from all walks of life......women and men, young and old, Latino and Asian, African-American and Caucasian......rich, poor, and middle-class, gay and straight, you have stood with me.And I will continue to stand strong with you every time, every place, in every way that I can.The dreams we share are worth fighting for.Remember, we fought for the single mom with the young daughter, juggling work and school, who told me, “I'm doing it all to better myself for her.”

We fought for the woman who grabbed my hand and asked me, “What are you going to do to make sure I have health care?” and began to cry, because even though she works three jobs, she can't afford insurance.We fought for the young man in the Marine Corps t-shirt who waited months for medical care and said, “Take care of my buddies over there, and then will you please take care of me?”

We fought for all those who've lost jobs and health care, who can't afford gas or groceries or college, who have felt invisible to their president these last seven years.I entered this race because I have an old-fashioned conviction that public service is about helping people solve their problems and live their dreams.I've had every opportunity and blessing in my own life, and I want the same for all Americans.And until that day comes, you'll always find me on the front lines of democracy, fighting for the future.The way to continue our fight now, to accomplish the goals for which we stand is to take our energy, our passion, our strength, and do all we can to help elect Barack Obama, the next president of the United States.Today, as I suspend my campaign, I congratulate him on the victory he has won and the extraordinary race he has run.I endorse him and throw my full support behind him.And I ask all of you to join me in working as hard for Barack Obama as you have for me.I have served in the Senate with him for four years.I have been in this campaign with him for 16 months.I have stood on the stage and gone toe-to-toe with him in 22 debates.I've had a front-row seat to his candidacy, and I have seen his strength and determination, his grace and his grit.In his own life, Barack Obama has lived the American dream, as a community organizer, in the State Senate, as a United States senator.He has dedicated himself to ensuring the dream is realized.And in this campaign, he has inspired so many to become involved in the democratic process and invested in our common future.Now, when I started this race, I intended to win back the White House and make sure we have a president who puts our country back on the path to peace, prosperity and progress.And that's exactly what we're going to do, by ensuring that Barack Obama walks through the doors of the Oval Office on January 20, 2009.Now, I understand--I understand that we all know this has been a tough fight, but the Democratic Party is a family.And now it's time to restore the ties that bind us together and to come together around the ideals we share, the values we cherish, and the country we love.We may have started on separate journeys, but today our paths have merged.And we're all heading toward the same destination, united and more ready than ever to win in November and to turn our country around, because so much is at stake.We all want an economy that sustains the American dream, the opportunity to work hard and have that work rewarded, to save for college, a home and retirement, to afford that gas and those groceries, and still have a little left over at the end of the month, an economy that lifts all of our people and ensures that our prosperity is broadly distributed and shared.We all want a health care system that is universal, high-quality and affordable......so that parents don't have to choose between care for themselves or their children or be stuck in dead-end jobs simply to keep their insurance.This isn't just an issue for me.It is a passion and a cause, and it is a fight I will continue until every single American is insured, no exceptions and no excuses.We all want an America defined by deep and meaningful equality, from civil rights to labor rights, from women's rights to gay rights......from ending discrimination to promoting unionization, to providing help for the most important job there is: caring for our families.And we all want to restore America's standing in the world, to end the war in Iraq, and once again lead by the power of our values......and to join with our allies to confront our shared challenges, from poverty and genocide to terrorism and global warming.You know, I've been involved in politics and public life in one way or another for four decades.And during those...(APPLAUSE)

During those 40 years, our country has voted 10 times for president.Democrats won only three of those times, and the man who won two of those elections is with us today.(APPLAUSE)

We made tremendous progress during the '90s under a Democratic president, with a flourishing economy and our leadership for peace and security respected around the world.Just think how much more progress we could have made over the past 40 years if we'd had a Democratic president.Think about the lost opportunities of these past seven years on the environment and the economy, on health care and civil rights, on education, foreign policy and the Supreme Court.Imagine how far...(APPLAUSE)

...we could have come, how much we could have achieved if we had just had a Democrat in the White House.(APPLAUSE)

We cannot let this moment slip away.We have come too far and accomplished too much.Now, the journey ahead will not be easy.Some fwill say we can't do it, that it's too hard, we're just not up to the task.But for as long as America has existed, it has been the American way to reject can't-do claims and to choose instead to stretch the boundaries of the possible through hard work, determination, and a pioneering spirit.It is this belief, this optimism that Senator Obama and I share and that has inspired so many millions of our supporters to make their voices heard.So today I am standing with Senator Obama to say: Yes, we can!(APPLAUSE)

And that together we will work--we'll have to work hard to achieve universal health care.But on the day we live in an America where no child, no man, and no woman is without health insurance, we will live in a stronger America.That's why we need to help elect Barack Obama our president.(APPLAUSE)

We'll have to work hard to get back to fiscal responsibility and a strong middle class.But on the day we live in an America whose middle class is thriving and growing again, where all Americans, no matter where they live or where their ancestors came from, can earn a decent living, we will live in a stronger America.And that is why we must help elect Barack Obama our president.(APPLAUSE)

We'll have to work hard to foster the innovation that will make us energy independent and lift the threat of global warming from our children's future.But on the day we live in an America fueled by renewable energy, we will live in a stronger America.And that is why we have to help elect Barack Obama our president.(APPLAUSE)

We'll have to work hard to bring our troops home from Iraq and get them the support they've earned by their service.But on the day we live in an America that's as loyal to our troops as they have been to us, we will live in a stronger America.And that is why we must help elect Barack Obama our president.(APPLAUSE)

This election is a turning-point election.And it is critical that we all understand what our choice really is.Will we go forward together, or will we stall and slip backwards?

Now, think how much progress we've already made.When we first started, people everywhere asked the same questions.Could a woman really serve as commander-in-chief? Well, I think we answered that one.(APPLAUSE)

Could an African-American really be our president? And Senator Obama has answered that one.(APPLAUSE)

Together, Senator Obama and I achieved milestones essential to our progress as a nation, part of our perpetual duty to form a more perfect union.Now, on a personal note, when I was asked what it means to be a woman running for president, I always gave the same answer, that I was proud to be running as a woman, but I was running because I thought I'd be the best president.But...(APPLAUSE)

But I am a woman and, like millions of women, I know there are still barriers and biases out there, often unconscious, and I want to build an America that respects and embraces the potential of every last one of us.(APPLAUSE)

I ran as a daughter who benefited from opportunities my mother never dreamed of.I ran as a mother who worries about my daughter's future and a mother who wants to leave all children brighter tomorrows.To build that future I see, we must make sure that women and men alike understand the struggles of their grandmothers and their mothers, and that women enjoy equal opportunities, equal pay, and equal respect.(APPLAUSE)Let us...(APPLAUSE)

Let us resolve and work toward achieving very simple propositions: There are no acceptable limits, and there are no acceptable prejudices in the 21st century in our country.(APPLAUSE)

You can be so proud that, from now on, it will be unremarkable for a woman to win primary state victories...(APPLAUSE)

...unremarkable to have a woman in a close race to be our nominee, unremarkable to think that a woman can be the president of the United States.And that is truly remarkable, my friends.(APPLAUSE)

To those who are disappointed that we couldn't go all of the way, especially the young people who put so much into this campaign, it would break my heart if, in falling short of my goal, I in any way discouraged any of you from pursuing yours.Always aim high, work hard, and care deeply about what you believe in.And, when you stumble, keep faith.And, when you're knocked down, get right back up and never listen to anyone who says you can't or shouldn't go on.(APPLAUSE)

As we gather here today in this historic, magnificent building, the 50th woman to leave this Earth is orbiting overhead.If we can blast 50 women into space, we will someday launch a woman into the White House.(APPLAUSE)

Although we weren't able to shatter that highest, hardest glass ceiling this time, thanks to you, it's got about 18 million cracks in it...(APPLAUSE)

...and the light is shining through like never before, filling us all with the hope and the sure knowledge that the path will be a little easier next time.That has always been the history of progress in America.Think of the suffragists who gathered at Seneca Falls in 1848 and those who kept fighting until women could cast their votes.Think of the abolitionists who struggled and died to see the end of slavery.Think of the civil rights heroes and foot soldiers who marched, protested, and risked their lives to bring about the end of segregation and Jim Crow.(APPLAUSE)

Because of them, I grew up taking for granted that women could vote and, because of them, my daughter grew up taking for granted that children of all colors could go to school together.Because of them, Barack Obama and I could wage a hard-fought campaign for the Democratic nomination.Because of them and because of you, children today will grow up taking for granted that an African-American or a woman can, yes, become the president of the United States.And so...(APPLAUSE)

...when that day arrives, and a woman takes the oath of office as our president, we will all stand taller, proud of the values of our nation, proud that every little girl can dream big and that her dreams can come true in America.And all of you will know that, because of your passion and hard work, you helped pave the way for that day.So I want to say to my supporters: When you hear people saying or think to yourself, “If only, or, ”What if," I say, please, don't go there.Every moment wasted looking back keeps us from moving forward.(APPLAUSE)

Life is too short, time is too precious, and the stakes are too high to dwell on what might have been.We have to work together for what still can be.And that is why I will work my heart out to make sure that Senator Obama is our next president.(APPLAUSE)

And I hope and pray that all of you will join me in that effort.(APPLAUSE)

To my supporters and colleagues in Congress, to the governors and mayors, elected officials who stood with me in good times and bad, thank you for your strength and leadership.To my friends in our labor unions who stood strong every step of the way, I thank you and pledge my support to you.To my friends from every stage of my life, your love and ongoing commitment sustained me every single day.To my family, especially Bill and Chelsea and my mother, you mean the world to me, and I thank you for all you have done.(APPLAUSE)

And to my extraordinary staff, volunteers and supporters...(APPLAUSE)

...thank you for working those long, hard hours.Thank you for dropping everything, leaving work or school, traveling to places that you've never been, sometimes for months on end.And thanks to your families, as well, because your sacrifice was theirs, too.All of you were there for me every step of the way.Now, being human, we are imperfect.That's why we need each other, to catch each other when we falter, to encourage each other when we lose heart.Some may lead, some may follow, but none of us can go it alone.The changes we're working for are changes that we can only accomplish together.Life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness are rights that belong to us as individuals.But our lives, our freedom, our happiness are best enjoyed, best protected, and best advanced when we do work together.That is what we will do now, as we join forces with Senator Obama and his campaign.We will make history together, as we write the next chapter in America's story.We will stand united for the values we hold dear, for the vision of progress we share, and for the country we love.There is nothing more American than that.And looking out at you today, I have never felt so blessed.The challenges that I have faced in this campaign...(APPLAUSE)

...are nothing compared to those that millions of Americans face every day in their own lives.So today I'm going to count my blessings and keep on going.I'm going to keep doing what I was doing long before the cameras ever showed up and what I'll be doing long after they're gone: working to give every American the same opportunities I had and working to ensure that every child has the chance to grow up and achieve his or her God-given potential.I will do it with a heart filled with gratitude, with a deep and abiding love for our country, and with nothing but optimism and confidence for the days ahead.This is now our time to do all that we can to make sure that, in this election, we add another Democratic president to that very small list of the last 40 years and that we take back our country and once again move with progress and commitment to the future.Thank you all.And God bless you, and God bless America.(APPLAUSE)全文完

這是一篇極出色的演說，內容可圈可點，給人留下深刻印象。

一般來說，這種承認自己失敗的演說，很難講好，既不能流露出對對手的怨恨，又不能讓自己顯得灰溜溜。何況希拉里確實有理由不服：幾乎所有的大州都是她贏，奧巴馬贏的都是小州，而且在最后9個州里，希拉里贏了6個。再加上，希拉里的性格很要強，所以演說的難度可想而知。

但是實際情況是，她最后足足講了30分鐘，期間有幾十次的掌聲和歡呼，盡管是退出選舉，但是仍然像一個勝利者一樣。

第五篇：英文版的希拉里退選演講稿

Thank you.Thank you.Thank you, so much.Thank you, all.Thank you very, very much.Well--Well, this isn't exactly the party I'd planned, but I sure like the company.And I want to start today by saying how grateful I am to all of you, to everyone who poured your hearts and your hopes into this campaign, who drove for miles and lined the streets waving homemade signs, who scrimped and saved to raise money, who knocked on doors and made calls, who talked, sometimes argued with your friends and neighbors, who e-mailed and contributed online, who invested so much in our common enterprise, to the moms and dads who came to our events, who lifted their little girls and little boys on their shoulders and whispered in their ears, “See, you can be anything you want to be.”

To the young people like 13-year-old Anne Riddell from Mayfield, Ohio, who had been saving for two years to go to Disney World and decided to use her savings instead to travel to Pennsylvania with her mom and volunteer there, as well.To the veterans, to the childhood friends, to New Yorkers and Arkansans who traveled across the country, telling anyone who would listen why you supported me.And to all of those women in their 80s and their 90s born before women could vote, who cast their votes for our campaign.I've told you before about Florence Stein of South Dakota who was 88 years old and insisted that her daughter bring an absentee ballot to her hospice bedside.Her daughter and a friend put an American flag behind her bed and helped her fill out the ballot.She passed away soon after and, under state law, her ballot didn't count, but her daughter later told a reporter, “My dad's an ornery, old cowboy, and he didn't like it when he heard Mom's vote wouldn't be counted.I don't think he had voted in 20 years, but he voted in place of my mom.”

So to all those who voted for me and to whom I pledged my utmost, my commitment to you and to the progress we seek is unyielding.You have inspired and touched me with the stories of the joys and sorrows that make up the fabric of our lives.And you have humbled me with your commitment to our country.Eighteen million of you, from all walks of life--women and men, young and old, Latino and Asian, African-American and Caucasian, rich, poor, and middle-class, gay and straight, you have stood with me.And I will continue to stand strong with you every time, every place, in every way that I can.The dreams we share are worth fighting for.Remember, we fought for the single mom with the young daughter, juggling work and school, who told me, “I'm doing it all to better myself for her.” We fought for the woman who grabbed my hand and asked me, “What are you going to do to make sure I have health care?” and began to cry, because even though she works three jobs, she can't afford insurance.We fought for the young man in the Marine Corps t-shirt who waited months for medical care and said, “Take care of my buddies over there, and then will you please take care of me?” We fought for all those who've lost jobs and health care, who can't afford gas or groceries or college, who have felt invisible to their President these last seven years.I entered this race because I have an old-fashioned conviction that public service is about helping people solve their problems and live their dreams.I've had every opportunity and blessing in my own life, and I want the same for all Americans.And until that day comes, you'll always find me on the front lines of democracy, fighting for the future.The way to continue our fight now, to accomplish the goals for which we stand is to take our energy, our passion, our strength, and do all we can to help elect Barack Obama, the next President of the United States.Today, as I suspend my campaign, I congratulate him on the victory he has won and the extraordinary race he has run.I endorse him and throw my full support behind him.And I ask all of you to join me in working as hard for Barack Obama as you have for me.I have served in the Senate with him for four years.I have been in this campaign with him for 16 months.I have stood on the stage and gone toe-to-toe with him in 22 debates.I've had a front-row seat to his candidacy, and I have seen his strength and determination, his grace and his grit.In his own life, Barack Obama has lived the American dream, as a community organizer, in the State Senate, as a United States senator.He has dedicated himself to ensuring the dream is realized.And in this campaign, he has inspired so many to become involved in the democratic process and invested in our common future.Now, when I started this race, I intended to win back the White House and make sure we have a President who puts our country back on the path to peace, prosperity and progress.And that's exactly what we're going to do, by ensuring that Barack Obama walks through the doors of the Oval Office on January 20, 2009.Now, I understand--I understand that we all know this has been a tough fight, but the Democratic Party is a family.And now it's time to restore the ties that bind us together and to come together around the ideals we share, the values we cherish, and the country we love.We may have started on separate journeys, but today our paths have merged.And we're all heading toward the same destination, united and more ready than ever to win in November and to turn our country around, because so much is at stake.We all want an economy that sustains the American dream, the opportunity to work hard and have that work rewarded, to save for college, a home and retirement, to afford that gas and those groceries, and still have a little left over at the end of the month, an economy that lifts all of our people and ensures that our prosperity is broadly distributed and shared.We all want a health care system that is universal, high-quality and affordable, so that parents don't have to choose between care for themselves or their children or be stuck in dead-end jobs simply to keep their insurance.This isn't just an issue for me.It is a passion and a cause, and it is a fight I will continue until every single American is insured, no exceptions and no excuses.We all want an America defined by deep and meaningful equality, from civil rights to labor rights, from women's rights to gay rights from ending discrimination to promoting unionization, to providing help for the most important job there is: caring for our families.And we all want to restore America's standing in the world, to end the war in Iraq, and once again lead by the power of our values and to join with our allies to confront our shared challenges, from poverty and genocide to terrorism and global warming.You know, I've been involved in politics and public life in one way or another for four decades.And during those--during those 40 years, our country has voted 10 times for President.Democrats won only three of those times, and the man who won two of those elections is with us today.We made tremendous progress during the '90s under a Democratic President, with a flourishing economy and our leadership for peace and security respected around the world.Just think how much more progress we could have made over the past 40 years if we'd had a Democratic President.Think about the lost opportunities of these past seven years on the environment and the economy, on health care and civil rights, on education, foreign policy and the Supreme Court.Imagine how far we could have come, how much we could have achieved if we had just had a Democrat in the White House.We cannot let this moment slip away.We have come too far and accomplished too much.Now, the journey ahead will not be easy.Some will say we can't do it, that it's too hard, we're just not up to the task.But for as long as America has existed, it has been the American way to reject can't-do claims and to choose instead to stretch the boundaries of the possible through hard work, determination, and a pioneering spirit.It is this belief, this optimism that Senator Obama and I share and that has inspired so many millions of our supporters to make their voices heard.So today I am standing with Senator Obama to say: Yes, we can!

And that together we will work--we'll have to work hard to achieve universal health care.But on the day we live in an America where no child, no man, and no woman is without health insurance, we will live in a stronger America.That's why we need to help elect Barack Obama our President.We'll have to work hard to get back to fiscal responsibility and a strong middle class.But on the day we live in an America whose middle class is thriving and growing again, where all Americans, no matter where they live or where their ancestors came from, can earn a decent living, we will live in a stronger America.And that is why we must help elect Barack Obama our President.We'll have to work hard to foster the innovation that will make us energy independent and lift the threat of global warming from our children's future.But on the day we live in an America fueled by renewable energy, we will live in a stronger America.And that is why we have to help elect Barack Obama our President.We'll have to work hard to bring our troops home from Iraq and get them the support they've earned by their service.But on the day we live in an America that's as loyal to our troops as they have been to us, we will live in a stronger America.And that is why we must help elect Barack Obama our President.This election is a turning-point election.And it is critical that we all understand what our choice really is.Will we go forward together, or will we stall and slip backwards?

Now, think how much progress we've already made.When we first started, people everywhere asked the same questions.Could a woman really serve as commander-in-chief? Well, I think we answered that one.Could an African-American really be our President? And Senator Obama has answered that one.Together, Senator Obama and I achieved milestones essential to our progress as a nation, part of our perpetual duty to form a more perfect union.Now, on a personal note, when I was asked what it means to be a woman running for President, I always gave the same answer, that I was proud to be running as a woman, but I was running because I thought I'd be the best President.But--But I am a woman and, like millions of women, I know there are still barriers and biases out there, often unconscious, and I want to build an America that respects and embraces the potential of every last one of us.I ran as a daughter who benefited from opportunities my mother never dreamed of.I ran as a mother who worries about my daughter's future and a mother who wants to leave all children brighter tomorrows.To build that future I see, we must make sure that women and men alike understand the struggles of their grandmothers and their mothers, and that women enjoy equal opportunities, equal pay, and equal respect.Let us--Let us resolve and work toward achieving very simple propositions: There are no acceptable limits, and there are no acceptable prejudices in the 21st century in our country.You can be so proud that, from now on, it will be unremarkable for a woman to win primary state victories;unremarkable to have a woman in a close race to be our nominee;unremarkable to think that a woman can be the President of the United States--and that is truly remarkable, my friends.To those who are disappointed that we couldn't go all of the way, especially the young people who put so much into this campaign, it would break my heart if, in falling short of my goal, I in any way discouraged any of you from pursuing yours.Always aim high, work hard, and care deeply about what you believe in.And, when you stumble, keep faith.And, when you're knocked down, get right back up and never listen to anyone who says you can't or shouldn't go on.As we gather here today in this historic, magnificent building, the 50th woman to leave this Earth is orbiting overhead.If we can blast 50 women into space, we will someday launch a woman into the White House.Although we weren't able to shatter that highest, hardest glass ceiling this time, thanks to you, it's got about 18 million cracks in it, and the light is shining through like never before, filling us all with the hope and the sure knowledge that the path will be a little easier next time.That has always been the history of progress in America.Think of the suffragists who gathered at Seneca Falls in 1848 and those who kept fighting until women could cast their votes.Think of the abolitionists who struggled and died to see the end of slavery.Think of the civil rights heroes and foot soldiers who marched, protested, and risked their lives to bring about the end of segregation and Jim Crow.Because of them, I grew up taking for granted that women could vote and, because of them, my daughter grew up taking for granted that children of all colors could go to school together.Because of them, Barack Obama and I could wage a hard-fought campaign for the Democratic nomination.Because of them and because of you, children today will grow up taking for granted that an African-American or a woman can, yes, become the President of the United States.And so when that day arrives, and a woman takes the oath of office as our President, we will all stand taller, proud of the values of our nation, proud that every little girl can dream big and that her dreams can come true in America.And all of you will know that, because of your passion and hard work, you helped pave the way for that day.So I want to say to my supporters: When you hear people saying or think to yourself, “If only, or, ”What if," I say, please, don't go there.Every moment wasted looking back keeps us from moving forward.Life is too short, time is too precious, and the stakes are too high to dwell on what might have been.We have to work together for what still can be.And that is why I will work my heart out to make sure that Senator Obama is our next President.And I hope and pray that all of you will join me in that effort.To my supporters and colleagues in Congress, to the governors and mayors, elected officials who stood with me in good times and bad, thank you for your strength and leadership.To my friends in our labor unions who stood strong every step of the way, I thank you and pledge my support to you.To my friends from every stage of my life, your love and ongoing commitment sustained me every single day.To my family, especially Bill and Chelsea and my mother, you mean the world to me, and I thank you for all you have done.And to my extraordinary staff, volunteers and supporters, thank you for working those long, hard hours.Thank you for dropping everything, leaving work or school, traveling to places that you've never been, sometimes for months on end.And thanks to your families, as well, because your sacrifice was theirs, too.All of you were there for me every step of the way.Now, being human, we are imperfect.That's why we need each other, to catch each other when we falter, to encourage each other when we lose heart.Some may lead, some may follow, but none of us can go it alone.The changes we're working for are changes that we can only accomplish together.Life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness are rights that belong to us as individuals.But our lives, our freedom, our happiness are best enjoyed, best protected, and best advanced when we do work together.That is what we will do now, as we join forces with Senator Obama and his campaign.We will make history together, as we write the next chapter in America's story.We will stand united for the values we hold dear, for the vision of progress we share, and for the country we love.There is nothing more American than that.And looking out at you today, I have never felt so blessed.The challenges that I have faced in this campaign are nothing compared to those that millions of Americans face every day in their own lives.So today I'm going to count my blessings and keep on going.I'm going to keep doing what I was doing long before the cameras ever showed up and what I'll be doing long after they're gone: working to give every American the same opportunities I had and working to ensure that every child has the chance to grow up and achieve his or her God-given potential.I will do it with a heart filled with gratitude, with a deep and dividing love for our country, and with nothing but optimism and confidence for the days ahead.This is now our time to do all that we can to make sure that, in this election, we add another Democratic President to that very small list of the last 40 years and that we take back our country and once again move with progress and commitment to the future.Thank you all.And God bless you, and God bless America.