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。