作者：方振宇
出版社：海豚出版社
格式: AZW3, DOCX, EPUB, MOBI, PDF, TXT
100年26篇最原声名家励志演讲试读：
前言
Preface穿越100年的心灵震撼
对于英语学习者来说，多听多看多练英语演讲是学习地道英语的最佳途径之一，也是训练语音语调最有效的辅助手段。
你不用担心这些演讲是否有语法问题，也不用担心用词是否准确，表达是否到位。因为一些名人的演讲稿通常是字斟句酌精心完成的。
此外，通过演讲学英语还可以潜移默化地帮助自己提升对英文的驾驭能力，增强英语的语感和美感。
在我接触英语演讲的很多年里，总有一些演讲是反复出现，经久而不衰的。像马丁·路德·金的《我有一个梦想》，林肯的《葛底斯堡演说》，巴拉克·奥巴马的《无畏的希望》，史蒂夫·乔布斯的《我生命中的三个故事》，纳尔逊·曼德拉的《让自由战胜一切》，撒切尔夫人的《我不会后退》以及奥黛丽·赫本的《为了孩子》和迈克尔·杰克逊的《拯救儿童，拯救世界》等等。这些演讲一篇篇都是那样动人心弦，那样激荡回响。可以说，每一篇演讲都是一段历史，每一个演讲瞬间都是一个丰富而动人的故事。本书精选的演讲可谓记录了时代的进步和历史的重大时刻。
我们选取每一篇演讲，均参照了很多国内外权威的榜单和评选，也在读者中作了广泛调查，最终在人类历史长河的100年里精选出这震撼人类心灵的26篇励志演讲。例如由《时代》周刊权威评选出的十大毕业演讲，本书就包括了乔布斯，J.K. 罗琳和大卫·华莱士以及拉塞尔·贝克等人的时代之音。而由英国《卫报》评选出的最经典演讲则包括了英国二战时首相丘吉尔和大家熟知的铁娘子撒切尔夫人激情演讲等。
我们所做的不仅仅是一个编集的工作，在搜罗经典的同时，我们也添加了许多新的声音和面孔。对于经典来说，时间只会更增加它的份量，让它显得愈发深刻而有活力。而眼光放到当下，我们依然可以清晰地听到那些与我们同时代，引领时代又超出时代的声音。然而这里面所蕴含的道理和能够给我们的启发与鼓励是依然不变的。这真是一种幸运。
也许透过这种安排，大家能够放宽视野，在回顾经典的同时，倾听到更多的声音。像兰迪·波许教授最后的演讲，完全展现了一个天性乐观，相信梦想的人是如何面对癌症和死亡的威胁而依然面带微笑和坦然。而美国著名专栏作家拉塞尔·贝克的《快乐生活十则》也有很多值得我们学习借鉴的地方。同时这一篇也可以跟大卫·华莱士的《这就是水》一起阅读，教会每个人运用自己的理智去生活，不要盲目地听从，伤害自己也伤害别人，而是要保持积极健康的生活态度。
一个人只有将自己献身给更高的目标，才能真正取得成绩。我相信本书里的26篇演讲，即可被视为一个个路碑，或者可以充当你一路前行的指导。在学习和回顾的过程中，用每一天点滴的进步来充实自己的人生。这就是英语学习，这也是一个有意义的生命过程的必要组成成分。
让我们一起重温经典，一起感受榜样的力量和伟人的智慧。
随书赠送的MP3演讲音频，都是演讲者的原声音频。这些声音铿锵有力，或给你启迪，或让你感动，或给你温暖，或激发你前行的信念。同时，也让你更有机会品味最地道的英语表达。
此外，在每一篇文章之后，都附有提炼出的演讲中具有指引性、励志性的“经典语录”，方便模仿与背诵。地道实用的英语学得多了积累得多了，你就能很自然地表达出极为纯正的英语，既能提升你的书面语表达能力，也可以提升你的口语表达能力。
最后需要特别指出的是：除随书附赠MP3光盘外，本书还具有点读功能，每篇演讲均可以通过振宇英语点读笔点读、跟读、模仿！准备好了吗？让我们从现在开始，去聆听和模仿那些激动人心的声音吧！
时间仓促，水平有限，难免有错误和不足之处，希望得到教育界同仁和广大读者朋友不吝赐教。您的意见请直接发往本人信箱：zhenglish@126.com，以便再版时进一步更正、完善。谢谢！北京千鹤园01The Audacity of Hope无畏的希望背景资料
2004年7月的美国民主党全国代表大会上，时年43岁的奥巴马面临着一次重大的考验——第一次在全国性质的政治舞台上代表民主党发表主题演讲。奥巴马技惊四座，取得重大的成功，这让他从伊利诺伊州一个小小的议员成功迈向美国政治舞台，不仅奠定了他在党内的坚实地位，也为他最终走进白宫打下了很好的基础。
I believe that we have a righteous wind at our backs and that as we stand on the crossroads of history, we can make the right choices, and meet the challenges that face us.
我相信我们身后有正义之风，我相信今天的我们就站在历史的十字路口，我们可以做出正确的选择，迎接面前的挑战。——巴拉克·侯赛因·奥巴马最名人档案姓 名巴拉克·侯赛因·奥巴马（Barack Hussein Obama）职 业律师美国第44任总统国 籍美国出生日1961年8月4日期党 派民主党毕业院哥伦比亚大学 哈佛大学法学院校成功点没有怯懦退缩，更没有踌躇不前，用自己的执着抒写成功人生。睛个人成1996年当选伊利诺伊州参议员；就2009年当选美国第44任总统；2009年获诺贝尔和平奖。名人简介
巴拉克·侯赛因·奥巴马，美国第44任总统，出生于美国夏威夷州火奴鲁鲁，祖籍肯尼亚。奥巴马是首位拥有黑人血统，并且童年在亚洲成长的美国总统，他与不同地方和不同文化背景的人共同生活过。1983年，奥巴马毕业于哥伦比亚大学；1991年毕业于哈佛大学的法学院，获得了“极优等”法学博士学位；1996年，奥巴马当选为伊利诺伊州国会参议员并在之后的3年中连任；2000年，在竞选美国众议院议员席位失败后，奥巴马将主要精力投入到伊利诺伊州的参议工作中；2004年7月，美国民主党召开全国代表大会，奥巴马被指定做“主题演讲”；2008年11月4日，奥巴马击败共和党候选人约翰·麦凯恩，正式当选为美国第44任总统。上任后即推行医疗改革和财政改革，重点解决就业问题，帮助美国经济从金融危机中迅速恢复过来，并着手从伊拉克撤军。2009年奥巴马获得诺贝尔和平奖。2011年在对抗恐怖主义的行动中击毙了基地组织头目本·拉登。
任期即将结束，奥巴马在2012年1月24日的国情咨文演说中推出了其2012年大选的口号，宣称要“构建永恒的美国”，将竞选主题落在重建美国价值和社会经济公平上。不过对于曾经创造历史的奥巴马来说，想要获得连任还将面临很大的挑战。
id="c1">On behalf of the great state of Illinois, crossroads of a nation, Land of Lincoln, let me express my deepest gratitude for the privilege of addressing this convention. Tonight is a particular honor for me because, let's face it, my presence on this stage is pretty unlikely. My father was a foreign student, born and raised in a small village in Kenya. He grew up herding goats, went to school in a tin-roof shack. His father, my grandfather was a cook, a domestic servant to the British.
But my grandfather had larger dreams for his son. Through hard work and perseverance my father got a scholarship to study in a magical place, America that shone as a beacon of freedom and opportunity to so many who had come before. While studying here, my father met my mother. She was born in a town on the other side of the world, in Kansas. Her father worked on oil rigs and farms through most of the Depression. The day after Pearl Harbor my grandfather signed up for duty; joined Patton's army, marched across Europe. Back home, my grandmother raised a baby and went to work on a bomber assembly line. After the war, they studied on the G.I. Bill, bought a house through F.H.A., and later moved west all the way to Hawaii in search of opportunity.
And they, too, had big dreams for their daughter. A common dream, born of two continents. My parents shared not only an improbable love, they shared an abiding faith in the possibilities of this nation. They would give me an African name, Barack, or "blessed", believing that in a tolerant America your name is no barrier to success. They imagined me going to the best schools in the land, even though they weren't rich, because in a generous America you don't have to be rich to achieve your potential. They're both passed away now. And yet, I know that on this night they look down on me with great pride.
And I stand here today, grateful for the diversity of my heritage, aware that my parents' dreams live on in my two precious daughters. I stand here knowing that my story is part of the larger American story, that I owe a debt to all of those who came before me, and that, in no other country on earth, is my story even possible. Tonight, we gather to affirm the greatness of our Nation -- not because of the height of our skyscrapers, or the power of our military, or the size of our economy. Our pride is based on a very simple premise, summed up in a declaration made over two hundred years ago:
"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable rights that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness."
That is the true genius of America, a faith in simple dreams, an insistence on small miracles; That we can tuck in our children at night and know that they are fed and clothed and safe from harm; That we can say what we think, write what we think, without hearing a sudden knock on the door; That we can have an idea and start our own business without paying a bribe; That we can participate in the political process without fear of retribution, and that our votes will be counted at least most of the time.
This year, in this election we are called to reaffirm our values and our commitments, to hold them against a hard reality and see how we're measuring up to the legacy of our forebearers and the promise of future generations. And fellow Americans, Democrats, Republicans, Independents, I say to you tonight: We have more work to do for the workers I met in Galesburg, Illinois, who are losing their union jobs at the Maytag plant that's moving to Mexico, and now are having to compete with their own children for jobs that pay seven bucks an hour; more to do for the father that I met who was losing his job and choking back the tears, wondering how he would pay 4,500 dollars a month for the drugs his son needs without the health benefits that he counted on; more to do for the young woman in East St. Louis, and thousands more like her, who has the grades, has the drive, has the will, but doesn't have the money to go to college.
Now, don't get me wrong. The people I meet in small towns and big cities, in diners and office parks they don't expect government to solve all their problems. They know they have to work hard to get ahead, and they want to. Go into the collar counties around Chicago, and people will tell you they don't want their tax money wasted, by a welfare agency or by the Pentagon. Go into any inner city neighborhood, and folks will tell you that government alone can't teach our kids to learn; they know that parents have to teach, that children can't achieve unless we raise their expectations and turn off the television sets and eradicate the slander that says a black youth with a book is acting white. They know those things. People don't expect government to solve all their problems. But they sense, deep in their bones, that with just a slight change in priorities, we can make sure that every child in America has a decent shot at life, and that the doors of opportunity remain open to all. They know we can do better. And they want that choice.
In this election, we offer that choice. Our Party has chosen a man to lead us who embodies the best this country has to offer. And that man is John Kerry. John Kerry understands the ideals of community, faith, and service because they've defined his life. From his heroic service to Vietnam, to his years as a prosecutor and lieutenant governor, through two decades in the United States Senate, he's devoted himself to this country. Again and again, we've seen him make tough choices when easier ones were available. His values and his record affirm what is best in us.
John Kerry believes in an America where hard work is rewarded; So instead of offering tax breaks to companies shipping jobs overseas, he offers them to companies creating jobs here at home. John Kerry believes in an America where all Americans can afford the same health coverage our politicians in Washington have for themselves. John Kerry believes in energy independence, so we aren't held hostage to the profits of oil companies, or the sabotage of foreign oil fields. John Kerry believes in the Constitutional freedoms that have made our country the envy of the world, and he will never sacrifice our basic liberties, nor use faith as a wedge to divide us. And John Kerry believes that in a dangerous world war must be an option sometimes, but it should never be the first option.
You know, a while back I met a young man named Shamus in a V.F.W. Hall in East Moline, Illinois. He was a good-looking kid six two, six three, clear eyed, with an easy smile. He told me he'd joined the Marines and was heading to Iraq the following week. And as I listened to him explain why he'd enlisted, the absolute faith he had in our country and its leaders, his devotion to duty and service, I thought this young man was all that any of us might ever hope for in a child. But then I asked myself, "Are we serving Shamus as well as he is serving us?" I thought of the 900 men and women, sons and daughters, husbands and wives, friends and neighbors, who won't be returning to their own hometowns. I thought of the families I've met who were struggling to get by without a loved one's full income, or whose loved ones had returned with a limb missing or nerves shattered, but still lacked long-term health benefits because they were Reservists. When we send our young men and women into harm's way, we have a solemn obligation not to fudge the numbers or shade the truth about why they're going, to care for their families while they're gone, to tend to the soldiers upon their return, and to never ever go to war without enough troops to win the war, secure the peace, and earn the respect of the world.
Now let me be clear. We have real enemies in the world. These enemies must be found. They must be pursued. And they must be defeated. John Kerry knows this. And just as Lieutenant Kerry did not hesitate to risk his life to protect the men who served with him in Vietnam, President Kerry will not hesitate one moment to use our military might to keep America safe and secure.
John Kerry believes in America. And he knows that it's not enough for just some of us to prosper; for alongside our famous individualism, there's another ingredient in the American saga, a belief that we're all connected as one people. If there is a child on the south side of Chicago who can't read, that matters to me, even if it's not my child. If there is a senior citizen somewhere who can't pay for their prescription drugs, and having to choose between medicine and the rent, that makes my life poorer, even if it's not my grandparent. If there's an Arab American family being rounded up without benefit of an attorney or due process that threatens my civil liberties.
It is that fundamental belief: I am my brother's keeper, I am my sister's keeper that makes this country work. It's what allows us to pursue our individual dreams and yet still come together as one American family. E pluribus unum: "Out of many, one."
Now even as we speak, there are those who are preparing to divide us -- the spin masters, the negative ad peddlers who embrace the politics of "anything goes." Well, I say to them tonight, there is not a liberal America and a conservative America: There is the United States of America. There is not a Black America and a White America and Latino America and Asian America: There's the United States of America. The pundits like to slice and dice our country into Red States and Blue States; Red States for Republicans, Blue States for Democrats. But I've got news for them, too. We worship an "awesome God" in the Blue States, and we don't like federal agents poking around in our libraries in the Red States. We coach Little League in the Blue States and yes, we've got some gay friends in the Red States. There are patriots who opposed the war in Iraq and there are patriots who supported the war in Iraq. We are one people, all of us pledging allegiance to the Stars and Stripes, all of us defending the United States of America.
In the end, that's what this election is about. Do we participate in a politics of cynicism or do we participate in a politics of hope? John Kerry calls on us to hope. John Edwards calls on us to hope. I'm not talking about blind optimism here the almost wilful ignorance that thinks unemployment will go away if we just don't think about it, or the health care crisis will solve itself if we just ignore it. That's not what I'm talking about. I'm talking about something more substantial. It's the hope of slaves sitting around a fire singing freedom songs; the hope of immigrants setting out for distant shores; the hope of a young naval lieutenant bravely patrolling the Mekong Delta; the hope of a millworker's son who dares to defy the odds; the hope of a skinny kid with a funny name who believes that America has a place for him, too. Hope in the face of difficulty. Hope in the face of uncertainty. The audacity of hope!
In the end, that is God's greatest gift to us, the bedrock of this nation. A belief in things not seen. A belief that there are better days ahead.
I believe that we can give our middle class relief and provide working families with a road to opportunity.
I believe we can provide jobs to the jobless, homes to the homeless, and reclaim young people in cities across America from violence and despair.
I believe that we have a righteous wind at our backs and that as we stand on the crossroads of history, we can make the right choices, and meet the challenges that face us.
America! Tonight, if you feel the same energy that I do, if you feel the same urgency that I do, if you feel the same passion that I do, if you feel the same hopefulness that I do if we do what we must do, then I have no doubt that all across the country, from Florida to Oregon, from Washington to Maine, the people will rise up in November, and John Kerry will be sworn in as President, and John Edwards will be sworn in as Vice President, and this country will reclaim its promise, and out of this long political darkness a brighter day will come.
Thank you very much everybody. God bless you. Thank you.中文翻译
herd [hɜːrd] v. 放牧tin-roof shack 铁皮屋顶的简陋小屋perseverance [ˌpɜːrsəˈvɪrəns] n. 毅力，不屈不挠a beacon of freedom 自由的灯塔Kansas 堪萨斯州（美国中部一州）rig [rɪɡ] n. 装备，设备oil rig (oil platform) 石油钻井improbable [ɪmˈprɑːbəbl] adj. 不可能的abiding [əˈbaɪdɪŋ] adj. 持续的，不变的tolerant [ˈtɑːlərənt] adj. 容忍的，宽恕的barrier [ˈbæriər] n. 障碍，阻碍diversity [daɪˈvɜːrsəti] n. 多样性heritage [ˈherɪtɪdʒ] n. 传统，遗产affirm [əˈfɜːrm] v.（公开地）申明，坚称skyscrapers [ˈskaɪskreɪpər] n. 摩天大楼premise [ˈpremɪs] n.（论争的）前提，假定self-evident 不言而喻的，不证自明的endowed [ɪnˈdaʊd] adj. 天生具有的Creator n. 造物主，即上帝inalienable [ɪnˈeɪliənəbl] adj. 不可剥夺的insistence [ɪnˈsɪstəns] n. 坚持，坚决主张tuck [tʌk] v. 把……舒服地裹好bribe [braɪb] n. 贿赂participate [pɑːrˈtɪsɪpeɪt] v. 参加，参与retribution [ˌretrɪˈbjuːʃn] n. 惩罚，报复commitment [kəˈmɪtmənt] n. 承诺，保证legacy [ˈleɡəsi] n. 遗赠，继承物forebearer [fɔːrˈberə] n. 祖先fellow [ˈfeloʊ] n. 家伙，同伴fellow Americans 美国同胞choke [tʃoʊk] back 克制、抑制、忍住或压制某事物count on 依靠，指望collar counties 卫星小城Pentagon 五角大楼eradicate [ɪˈrædɪkeɪt] v. 根除slander [ˈslændər] v. 诽谤sense [sens] v. 感觉，认识到priority [praɪˈɔːrəti] n. 优先权，优先embody [ɪmˈbɑːdi] n. 体现heroic [həˈroʊɪk] adj. 英雄式的prosecutor [ˈprɑːsɪkjuːtər] n. 检察官lieutenant [luːˈtenənt] n. 助理人员，副官tax breaks 减税优惠hostage [ˈhɑːstɪdʒ] n. 人质sabotage [ˈsæbətɑːʒ] n.（蓄意的）破坏Constitutional [ˌkɑːnstəˈtuːʃənl] adj. 宪法的envy [ˈenvi] n. （妒忌的）对象sacrifice [ˈsækrɪfaɪs] n. 牺牲，奉献wedge [wedʒ] n. 楔子option [ˈɑːpʃn] n. 选择，选项limb [lɪm] n. 臂，腿shatter [ˈʃætər] v. 毁坏，破灭Reservists n. 后备役军人solemn [ˈsɑːləm] adj. 郑重的，严肃的obligation [ˌɑːblɪˈɡeɪʃn] n. 义务，职责fudge [fʌdʒ] v. 敷衍，回避责任pursue [pərˈsuː] v. 追捕，追踪prosper [ˈprɑːspər] v. 繁荣，昌盛individualism [ˌɪndɪˈvɪdʒuəlɪzəm] n. 个人主义saga [ˈsɑːɡə] n. 传说，冒险故事prescription [prɪˈskrɪpʃn] drugs 处方药round up n. 使集中，赶拢attorney [əˈtɜːrni] n. 律师，法定代理人spin [spɪn] v. 使旋转，翻转peddler [ˈpedlər] n. 小贩，兜售者pundit [ˈpʌndɪt] n. 专家，学者slice and dice 切割，分割worship [ˈwɜːrʃɪp] v. 尊崇，崇拜awesome God 万能的主poke around 到处闲逛，四处查看coach [koʊtʃ] v. 执教，训练patriot [ˈpeɪtriət] n. 爱国者oppose [əˈpoʊz] v. 反对pledge [pledʒ] v. 宣誓allegiance [əˈliːdʒəns] n. 忠诚，忠贞Stars and Stripes 星条旗，美国国旗cynicism [ˈsɪnɪsɪzəm] n. 玩世不恭，犬儒主义blind optimism 盲目乐观wilful [ˈwɪlfl] adj. 故意的，刻意的substantial [səbˈstænʃl] adj. 实质的naval [ˈneɪvl] adj. 海军的patrol [pəˈtroʊl] v. 巡逻，侦查Mekong Delta 湄公河三角洲defy [dɪˈfaɪ] v. 藐视，反抗audacity [ɔːˈdæsəti] n. 无畏，大胆bedrock [ˈbedrɑːk] n. 基础，基石relief [rɪˈliːf] n.（痛苦或债务）减轻，救济reclaim [rɪˈkleɪm] v. 教化，使悔改despair [dɪˈsper] n. 绝望righteous [ˈraɪtʃəs] 正义的，正当的crossroads of history 历史的十字路口urgency [ˈɜːrdʒənsi] n. 急切，急迫sworn [swɔːrn] v. 宣誓
id="c1-1">今天我将作为州代表在大会致词，为此我倍感骄傲和自豪。伟大的伊利诺伊州既是全国的交通枢纽，也是林肯的故乡。今晚我很荣幸，我们得承认，我能站在台上是多不容易。我父亲是一个外国留学生，他在肯尼亚的一个小村庄出生，并在那里长大成人。他小的时候还放过羊，上的学校简陋不堪，屋顶上仅有块铁皮来遮风挡雨。而他的父亲，也就是我的祖父，不过是个厨子，在别人家里做家庭雇工。
但祖父对父亲抱以厚望。凭借不懈的努力和坚韧不拔的毅力，父亲获得赴美留学的机会，而且还拿到奖学金。美国这片神奇的土地，对于很多踏上这片国土的人而言，意味着自由和机遇。在美国留学期间，父亲认识了母亲。我的母亲来自与肯尼亚相对的世界的另一头，堪萨斯州的一个小镇。大萧条时期，外祖父为谋生计，曾在石油钻井平台打工，还曾在农场务农。日军偷袭珍珠港后的第二天，他就自愿应征入伍，在巴顿将军麾下，转战南北，横扫欧洲。在后方的家中，外祖母生下孩子，并在生产轰炸机的流水线上找了份活计。战后，依据《退伍军人权利法案》，他们通过联邦住宅管理局购置了一套房子，并举家西迁到夏威夷，寻找机会。
他们对自己的女儿，也寄予厚望，两家人虽然来自不同的大陆，却有着共同的梦想。我的父母不仅不可思议地彼此相爱，而且还深信不疑在这个国家一切皆有可能。他们给我起了一个非洲名字——巴拉克，意为“受上天福佑”，因为他们相信，在如此包容的国度中，这样的名字不应成为成功的羁绊。尽管生活并不宽裕，他们还是想方设法让我接受当地最好的教育，因为在这样慷慨大方的国度中，一个人不需要很富裕也有机会发挥潜力。现在他们都已不在人世，不过我知道，今天晚上他们正在骄傲地关注着我。
今天，我站在这里，对自己有多种血统而心怀感激，而且我知道我父母的梦想将在我两个宝贝女儿身上延续；我站在这里，深知自己的经历只是千百万美国故事中的沧海一粟，更深知自己欠了那些更早踏上这片土地的先人，因为若不是在美国，我的故事无论如何都不可能发生。今夜，我们聚集一堂，再次证明这个国度的伟大之处，而这一切并不在于鳞次栉比的摩天大厦，也不在于傲视群雄的军备实力，更不在于稳健雄厚的经济实力。我们的自豪与荣耀来自一个非常简单的前提，两百多年前，它在一个著名的宣言中得到了高度的概括：“我们坚信以下真理不言而喻：人人生而平等，造物主赐予他们某些不可被剥夺的权利，比如生命、自由和对幸福的追求。”
这才是真正的美国智慧，坚信自己的国民有着朴素无华的梦想，坚信点滴的奇迹终会出现在身边；入夜，当我们为孩子掖好被子的同时，相信他们不会为衣食所累，不会为安全担忧；我们可以畅所欲言，无需担心不速之客会不请自来。我们有灵感，有想法，可以去创业，无须行贿。我们可以参政议政，不必担心打击报复，由我们的选票说了算，至少多数情况下都是如此。
在今年的大选中，我们民主党特别重申了我们主张的价值和承诺，以此来应对当下的艰难现实，并更好地秉承前辈的遗产，实现对子孙的承诺。诸位美国同胞们，无论你是民主党人，还是共和党人，抑或是无党派人士，今晚我想对大家说的是：我们需要做的事情还有很多。在伊利诺伊州的盖尔斯堡，由于美泰格洗衣机厂要迁至墨西哥，很多工人将失去工作，而现在唯一的选择就是和自己的子女一起竞争每小时7美元的工作。我曾遇到一位丢失了工作的父亲，强忍着泪水，不知怎样才能为儿子支付每月4,500美元的高昂医药费用，而这些费用本可依靠医疗保险担负的，我们应该为他做点什么；在东圣路易斯市，有这样一位年轻妇女，她成绩出色，干劲十足，也有意愿，却因为没有钱，无法圆大学梦，我们应该为她做点什么。
但不要误解我的意思。我在城市与乡镇，在餐厅和办公楼停车场，接触过很多民众，他们并不指望政府可以帮他们解决所有的困难。他们知道自己需要通过努力工作去解决问题，而这也确实是他们想做的。走进芝加哥周边的卫星城镇，大家会告诉你，希望自己辛苦缴纳的税款不是让社会保障机构或五角大楼去浪费。走进市中心的街区，大家会告诉你，教育好孩子不能仅仅依靠政府的力量，父母也要尽职尽责，培养下一代，提高孩子的期望值，不让他们整天沉溺于电视。要根除诽谤——一个黑人拿本书是在跟白人学样子。他们懂得这些。人们并不是依赖政府来解决所有问题，但他们真诚地认为，只要政府把工作的重点做些调整，就可以使得每个孩子都能奋发图强，积极向上，让机遇的大门向每个人敞开。他们深知，我们有能力做得更好，他们也想要这样的机会。
在本次选举中，我们提供了这样的选择。民主党已选出一国之中品行最为高尚的人作为我们的领袖，带领大家实现这样的选择。他就是约翰·克里，他深刻地领悟了大众诉求、信念和献身精神这些崇高的理想，因为这些铸就了他生命的全部。他曾在越南英勇作战，回国后出任过检察官和副州长，在美国参议院度过了20个春秋，把全部精力都投入到国家社稷大业之中。多少次，他面对艰难抉择，知难而上，不畏艰险，他的阅历和品行为我们树立了榜样。
约翰·克里坚信，在美国，付出就会有回报。因此，对于那些在本土创造就业机会的公司，他会在税收上给予优惠，而将工作机会输送到海外的公司则不会享受到如此待遇。约翰·克里坚信，美国应该实现标准的医疗保险，对普通百姓和华盛顿的政治家都一视同仁。约翰·克里坚信能源自主的重要性，因此我们不会成为石油公司暴利的俘虏，或因外国油田的破坏而遭致威胁。约翰·克里坚信宪法所赋予我们的自由，使我们成为被世人艳羡的国度。他永远都不会让大家的基本自由权受到影响，更不会以信仰为借口，来制造分裂。约翰·克里还坚信当今世界的确存在危险因素，战争在所难免，但战争永远不会成为解决争端的首选。
前不久，在伊利诺伊州东莫林市的海外战争老兵俱乐部里，我偶遇一个年轻人，他叫沙莫斯，身高足有2米，相貌英俊，目光清澈，笑容可掬。他说自己加入了海军陆战队，一周后就将进驻伊拉克。当我听他讲述入伍的原因时，他讲到了对我们国家和领导人的绝对信赖，对军队的无尚忠诚和责任感，这让我感受到他身上具备的优良品质正是我们对子女的所有期待。然而，我扪心自问：“我们为他所做的一切，是否能与他的付出相当呢？”我想到这次战争中已有900名军人战死沙场，他们也有自己的家人和邻友，也许已是为人父母，还有年迈的双亲，却再也无法回到这些关爱他们的人身边。我想到自己遇到的那些家庭，他们或是要应对亲人阵亡、收入锐减所来的经济窘境，或是要面对肢体残缺甚至精神崩溃的家人复原归来，却因其预备役军人的身份而无法享受长期的健康补贴，生活变得举步维艰。当我们把这些年轻人送上征程，我们责无旁贷地要确认做出出兵决定的所有数据和理由确凿无误；我们责无旁贷地要替他们照顾好家人；而当他们荣归故里时，要关照他们的生活；当决定要介入战争、保卫和平和赢得世界的尊重之时，我们责无旁贷地要派驻足够数量的军队，以确保战士能凯旋而归。
请允许我澄清一点：在世界上，确实有人与我们为敌，我们必须找到他们，追击他们，打败他们获取胜利。约翰·克里深知这一点，正如身为上尉的他在越南战场上出生入死，保护自己的下属一样，若他身为总统，也同样会义无反顾地运用军队的力量确保国家的安全。
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