Former President George HW Bush Endorses McCain for Republican Presidential Nomination
美國前總統布什宣布支持麥凱恩

In Houston, former President George H.W. Bush, the father of the current president, stood beside Senator John McCain to offer his endorsement for the Republican presidential nomination.

在美國休斯敦市，美國現任總統布什的父親、前總統布什站在參議員麥凱恩身邊，宣布支持麥凱恩成為共和黨的總統候選人。

Senator McCain and the former president came together in a hangar at Houston's Hobby airport and stood side by side with their wives as the 41st president offered his endorsement.

參議員麥凱恩和前總統布什以及他們的妻子，肩并肩地出現在休斯敦機場的一個飛機庫。第41任總統布什宣布，他支持麥凱恩成為共和黨的總統候選人。

"In the coming election we do not have the luxury of taking a pass on our unique role and responsibilities in the world and the indisputable fact that unites the greatest number of Republicans," Mr. Bush said, "the most independents and many good Democrats as well is that no one is better prepared to lead our nation in these trying times than Senator John McCain."

前總統布什說：“在總統大選即將到來之際，我們不能辜負了我們在世界上扮演的特殊角色和承擔的各種責任，我們也不能忽視一個無庸置疑的事實，那就是說是我們要團結大多數共和黨人、獨立人士以及許多優秀的民主黨人，而在考驗時期中，沒有任何一個人比參議員麥凱恩能夠更好地領導我們的國家。”

Senator McCain made note of the fact that he and President Bush had two things in common, both had been naval aviators and both had been shot down. Bush was shot down in the Pacific during World War II and rescued from the water shortly afterwards. McCain was shot down over North Vietnam and was held as a prisoner of war under brutal conditions.

參議員麥凱恩指出，他和前總統布什有兩個共同點。兩人都當過美國海軍飛行員，而且兩人都在戰場上受過傷。前總統布什曾在第二次世界大戰中在太平洋上被槍擊中，后來不久被人從水中救起。麥凱恩在越南北部被擊中，成為戰俘，并忍受殘酷惡劣的戰俘生活條件。

At the meeting in Houston, McCain thanked the former president for his support and spoke of the need to bring the Republican Party together.

麥凱恩在休斯敦的會議上感謝前總統布什的支持，他還指出，有必要把共和黨人團結起來。

"I believe that his endorsement and sign of support honors me and I also think it is very helpful in continuing our effort to unite our party," he said.

麥凱恩說：“我認為前總統布什對我的支持是我的榮幸，我還認為這有助于我們繼續努力實現整個共和黨的團結。”

McCain faces a deep divide among Republicans. Many conservatives see him as a liberal who has too often compromised with Democrats in order to move legislation through Congress.

麥凱恩正面臨著與其他共和黨人的重大分歧。由于他過于頻繁地與民主黨妥協，以便在國會推動議案的進展，許多保守派人士把他當作一個自由派人士。

One of McCain's biggest problems with conservative Republican voters came two years ago when he co-sponsored an immigration reform bill that they said amounted to an amnesty for 12 million foreigners who had entered the United States illegally. McCain says he now believes the border must be made secure before any other program can be implemented, but he still backs a guest worker program and a path to citizenship for immigrants already here who do not have a criminal record.

Former President Bush addressed conservatives in making his endorsement of McCain, saying that the senator's credentials as a conservative are solid.

前總統布什向共和黨人發表講話，宣布支持麥凱恩，并表示麥凱恩是一個可靠合格的保守派人士。

"If you have been around the track, you hear these criticisms and I think they are grossly unfair," the former president said. "He has got a record that everyone can analyze in the Senate, a sound, conservative record, and yet he is not above reaching out to the other side."

前總統布什說：“如果你一直追蹤競選形勢的話，你可能會聽到對麥凱恩的一些批評，我認為這些批評是非常不公平的。麥凱恩擁有一個地道的保守派的履歷，參議院里的任何人都可以把這份履歷拿去分析研究。不過，他并不是不屑于跟民主黨人進行妥協。”

Senator McCain's only remaining viable opponent in the race for the Republican nomination is former Arkansas governor Mike Huckabee, who is campaigning in the Midwestern state of Wisconsin before its primary Tuesday. Huckabee told reporters there he intends to stay in the race despite the momentum that Senator McCain has developed and the backing he has received from party leaders.

目前，參議員麥凱恩在共和黨總統候選人提名之爭中的唯一對手是前阿肯色州州長哈克比。哈克比正在美國中西部的威斯康辛州展開競選活動，威斯康辛州將在星期二舉行初選。哈克比在威斯康辛州對記者說，雖然參議員麥凱恩目前聲勢很大，并得到了共和黨領袖們的支持，但是他打算繼續競選。