Good evening. Just moments ago, I spoke with George W. Bush and
> congratulated him on becoming the 43rd president of the United States,and I
> promised him that I wouldn't call him back this time.
>
> 晚安。我稍早與小布希聯絡過，恭賀他成為第四十三任美國總統，也向他保證這次
> 不會再收回敗選聲明。
>
>
> I offered to meet with him as soon as possible so that we can start to
> heal the divisions of the campaign and the contest through which we just
> passed.
>
> 我表示希望能盡快與他會面，以彌合我們剛經歷過因競選和抗辯所造成的分裂。
>
> Almost a century and a half ago, Senator Stephen Douglas told Abraham
> Lincoln, who had just defeated him for the presidency, "Partisan feeling
> must yield to patriotism. I'm with you, Mr. President, and God bless you."
>
> 在將近一個半世紀前，參議員道格拉斯告訴剛剛在總統大選中擊敗他的對手林肯：
> 「國家重於黨派意識。我支持你，總統先生，願上帝保佑你。」
>
>
> Well, in that same spirit, I say to President-elect Bush that what
> remains of partisan rancor must now be put aside, and may God bless his
> stewardship of this country.
>
> 基於同樣的精神，我在此要向總統當選人小布希表示，政黨之間的積怨必須擺在一
> 邊，願上帝保佑他的領導。
>
> Neither he nor I anticipated this long and difficult road. Certainly neither
> of us wanted it to happen. Yet it came, and now it has ended, resolved, as
> it must be resolved, through the honored institutions of our democracy.
>
> 我們兩人都未曾料到這場選戰會如此漫長艱辛，我們當然也不願意見到這樣的情況發
> 生。然而這還是發生了，透過我們尊敬的民主體制，現在已經解決，結束了，也必須結
> 束了。
>
> Over the library of one of our great law schools is inscribed the
> motto,"Not under man but under God and law. That's the ruling principle of
> American freedom, the source of our democratic liberties. I've tried to make
> it my guide throughout this contest as it has guided America's deliberations
> of all the complex issues of the past five weeks.
>
> 國內有一所傑出法學院的圖書館內，刻著「非臣服於人，而是臣服於上帝與法律之
> 下」的格言，這是美國自由精神的準則，也是美國民主自由的來源。在這次的選票爭議
> 中，我努力以此作為自己的行事原則，而這句話也指引美國在過去五週仔細重議複雜議
> 題。
>
> Now the U.S. Supreme Court has spoken. Let there be no doubt, while I
> strongly disagree with the court's decision. I accept it. I accept the
> finality of this outcome which will be ratified next Monday in the Electoral
> College. And tonight, for the sake of our unity of the people and the
> strength of our democracy, I offer my concession.
>
> 現在，美國最高法院已經做出判決，一切爭議就到此為止。我對最高法院的判決極
> 不認同，但我接受這項裁決，接受下週一選舉人團所將確認的結果。今晚，為了人民的
> 團結以及美國民主的健全，我在此承認敗選。
>
> I also accept my responsibility, which I will discharge
> unconditionally,to honor the new president-elect and do everything possible
> to help him bring Americans together in fulfillment of the great vision that
> our Declaration of Independence defines and that our Constitution affirms
> and defends.
>
> 我同時接受責任，無條件遵從新的總統當選人，並盡一切力量協助他促進人民的團
> 結，以實現我國獨立宣言所規劃、憲法所保障捍衛的願景。
>
> Let me say how grateful I am to all those who supported me and supported
> the cause for which we have fought. Tipper and I feel a deep gratitude to
> Joe and Hadassah Lieberman who brought passion and high purpose to our
> partnership and opened new doors, not just for our campaign but for our
> country.
>
> 我在此對支持本人及支持我們奮鬥目標的民眾表示感激。內人和我均十分感謝李伯
> 曼夫婦，他們為我們的合作關係帶來熱誠與崇高的目標，並為我們的競選活動以及國家
> 開啟了新的一扇門。
>
> This has been an extraordinary election. But in one of God's unforeseen
> paths, this belatedly broken impasse can point us all to a new common
> ground, for its very closeness can serve to remind us that we are one people
> with a shared history and a shared destiny.
>
> 這是一場非比尋常的大選。但正如上帝其他不可預期的安排，這場好不容易打破的
> 僵局，帶領我們走向新共識，因為選舉結果的難分軒輊，反而提醒我們，我們是擁有相
> 同歷史與命運的同胞。
>
> Indeed, that history gives us many examples of contests as hotly debated,
> as fiercely fought, with their own challenges to the popular will.
>
> 的確，歷史上有多次大選也因為其結果與多數民意相左，而引起同樣的激烈爭辯和抗
> 爭。
>
>
> Other disputes have dragged on for weeks before reaching resolution. And
> each time, both the victor and the vanquished have accepted the result
> peacefully and in the spirit of reconciliation.
>
> 其他的爭議在得到結果之前也曾延宕數週之久，每一次勝選者及敗選者都能抱著和
> 解的精神，心平氣和地接受結果。
>
> So let it be with us.
>
> 讓我們這次也如此吧。
>
> I know that many of my supporters are disappointed. I am too. But our
> disappointment must be overcome by our love of country.
>
> 我知道許多我的支持者心裡很失望，我也是一樣。但我們必須以對國家的熱愛來取
> 代我們的失望。
>
>
> And I say to our fellow members of the world community, let no one see
> this contest as a sign of American weakness. The strength of American
> democracy is shown most clearly through the difficulties it can overcome.
>
> 我還要告訴世界上的其他人，不要把這次選票爭議看作是美國衰弱的象徵。從美國
> 所克服的困難中，正好淋漓展現了美國民主的力量。
>
> Some have expressed concern that the unusual nature of this election
> might hamper the next president in the conduct of his office. I do not
> believe it need be so.
>
> 有些人擔心這次特別的選舉，會對下屆總統推行政務造成不利的影響。我並不認為
> 定會如此。
>
> President-elect Bush inherits a nation whose citizens will be ready to
> assist him in the conduct of his large responsibilities.
>
> 總統當選人布希所接掌的國家，是一個舉國上下均準備好協助他執行重責大任的國
> 家。
>
> I personally will be at his disposal, and I call on all Americans – I
> particularly urge all who stood with us to unite behind our next president.
> This is America. Just as we fight hard when the stakes are high, we close
> ranks and come together when the contest is done.
>
> 我個人將聽其差遣，而且我要呼籲所有的美國人—尤其是支持我的民眾，團結一致
> 力挺下屆總統。這就是美國：輸贏難分時我們全力以赴；但競選結束後我們捐棄前嫌、
> 團結一致。
>
> And while there will be time enough to debate our continuing
> differences, now is the time to recognize that that which unites us is
> greater than that which divides us.
>
> 儘管仍有足夠的時間就我們彼此的差異繼續爭論下去，但此刻我們必須承認：在這些差
> 異中，將我們團結在一起的，遠比會分化我們的重要。
>
>
> While we yet hold and do not yield our opposing beliefs, there is a
> higher duty than the one we owe to political party. This is America and we
> put country before party. we will stand together behind our new president.
>
> 雖然我們仍抱持著不同的理念，並未放棄；但在遵從政黨之外有更崇高的職責，這
> 兒是美國，我們將國家放置於政黨之上，我們將一起支持新總統。
>
>
> As for what I'll do next, I don't know the answer to that one yet. Like
> many of you, I'm looking forward to spending the holidays with family and
> old friends. I know I'll spend time in Tennessee and mend some fences,
> literally and figuratively.
>
> 至於我日後的動向，我目前還沒有答案。就像各位一樣，我期待和家人、老朋友一起
> 共度佳節。我想我會回田納西州修修籬笆（喻為改善關係）。
>
> Some have asked whether I have any regrets and I do have one regret: that I
> didn't get the chance to stay and fight for the American people over the
> next four years, especially for those who need burdens lifted and barriers
> removed, especially for those who feel their voices have not been heard. I
> heard you and I will not forget.
>
> 有人問我是否會有任何遺憾，我的確有個遺憾，那就是我失去在未來四年為美國人
> 民奮鬥的機會，尤其是那些面臨困難及障礙，需要幫助的人、那些覺得自己的聲音被忽
> 略的人；我聽見了你們的心聲，而我永誌難忘。
>
>
> I've seen America in this campaign and I like what I see. It's worth
> fighting for and that's a fight I'll never stop.
>
> 我在這場選戰中看見了美國，而我樂見我所見。它值得我們奮鬥，而我會一直奮鬥
> 下去。
>
> As for the battle that ends tonight, I do believe as my father once
> said,that no matter how hard the loss, defeat might serve as well as victory
> to shape the soul and let the glory out.
>
> 就今晚結束的選戰而言，我相信家父所言，無論敗得多慘，失敗與勝利一樣，淬練我們
> 的靈魂，使它綻放出光芒。
>
> So for me this campaign ends as it began: with the love of Tipper and
> our family; with faith in God and in the country I have been so proud to
> serve, from Vietnam to the vice presidency; and with gratitude to our truly
> tireless campaign staff and volunteers, including all those who worked so
> hard in Florida for the last 36 days.
>
> 對我而言，這場選戰的結束一如開始時：有著蒂波和我的家人給予我的愛、對上帝
> 的信念、對國家—這個從我參加越戰到擔任副總統以來一直引以為榮的國家—的信念、
> 以及對努力不懈的競選工作人員和義工的感激，包括過去卅六天來所有在佛羅里達州賣
> 力工作的人們。
>
> Now the political struggle is over and we turn again to the unending
> struggle for the common good of all Americans and for those multitudes
> around the world who look to us for leadership in the cause of freedom.
>
> 現在，政爭已經告一段落，我們必須再次為美國人民爭取利益，並為世界上寄望我們領
> 導爭取自由的廣大人民而努力不懈。
>
> In the words of our great hymn, "America, the Beautiful": "Let us crown
> thy good with brotherhood, from sea to shining sea."
>
> 「美麗的美國」這首偉大的讚美詩中有一句名言：「讓我們以同胞愛加冕汝之善
> 行，從此岸到彼岸。」
>
>
> And now, my friends, in a phrase I once addressed to others, it's time
> for me to go.
>
> 現在，我的朋友們，套用一句我曾向別人說過的話：我離開的時候到了。
>
> Thank you and good night, and God bless America.
>
> 謝謝各位，晚安，願上帝保佑美國。
>
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