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Republican candidates in the U.S. presidential race debated economic policy and the war in Iraq during a televised debate late Thursday in the southern state of Florida. The candidates are striving for a lead ahead of the state's primary Tuesday.

美国共和党总统竞选人星期四晚间在佛罗里达州的电视节目上就经济政策问题和伊拉克战争问题展开辩论。在佛罗里达州星期二的初选前，竞选人都努力争取领先地位。

As the primary season continues, Republican presidential candidates are focusing on their individual strengths to help win voters away from their rivals.

美国总统大选仍处在初选阶段，共和党总统候选人继续把重点放在能够从对手那里获得更多选民支持的个人实力上。

Experts say there is still no clear leader in the race, with Arizona Senator John McCain and former Massachusetts Governor Mitt¹ Romney battling for the top spot, and former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee in third.

专家说，目前共和党内仍没有明显胜出的人选，亚利桑那州参议员麦凯恩和前麻萨诸塞州州长罗姆尼正在争夺领先地位，而前阿肯色州州长哈克比位居第三。

The nation's economic problems overshadowed the debate at Florida Atlantic University on Thursday and prompted many candidates to talk about their proposals to stimulate² the U.S. economy. The threat of recession and housing sector³ problems are chief concerns for voters in Florida, who vote in the Republican and Democratic primaries on Tuesday.

美国的经济问题是星期四在佛罗里达州大西洋大学辩论会上的首要议题，促使许多候选人大谈自己刺激美国经济增长的建议。经济衰退的威胁和房地产问题是佛罗里达州选民主要关心的问题，佛罗里达州的选民将在下星期二参加共和党及民主党的初选。

Romney said his experience as a former governor and corporate⁴ executive helps him understand what is needed to raise employment in the nation.

罗姆尼说，他作为前州长和企业主管的经验有助于他明白增加全国就业机会的途径。

"I'll make sure we create more good jobs for this nation and one way to do that is by holding down taxes, and making those tax cuts permanent," said Romney.

他说：“我要确保我们在全国创造更多的就业机会，而方法之一就是降低税率，要让减税措施永久化。”

McCain agreed that tax cuts are needed to encourage U.S. companies to invest more at home and create jobs. But he added that too much government spending is a major cause of the nation's economic troubles.

麦凯恩同意减税可以鼓励美国公司在国内投入更多资本并开创就业机会。但是他说，政府开支过大是美国经济问题的主要根源。

"We let it [spending] get out of control," said McCain. "And the fact is if we had had the spending restraints I proposed, we would be talking about more tax cuts today."

他说：“我们听任政府开支无限增加。实际上，如果我们按照我提出的控制政府开支计划的话，我们今天就可以讨论进一步减税的问题了。”

Huckabee offered details about his support for a controversial plan to abolish the nation's income tax system, and create a nationwide sales tax. He said adopting the so-called "fair tax" would help millions of low-income families and encourage new economic activity.

哈克比详细谈论了他本人支持的取消全国所得税制度、创立全国性销售税制度这样一个有争议的计划。他说，采取所谓的‘公正税制’有助于几百万低收入家庭，并且会促进新的经济活动。

"It would be a dramatic difference if the taxpayers⁵ go to choose the taxes, which they would under the fair tax," said Huckabee.

他说：“如果纳税人在“公正税制”下，能作选择性的赋税，那么就会产生巨大的变化。”

Former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani said the rise of foreign economies, especially China, has created new challenges for the U.S. economy. But he said China also poses great opportunities.

前纽约市市长朱利安尼说，外国经济实体的兴起，尤其是中国的兴起，对美国经济构成新的挑战。但是他说，中国同时也带来巨大的契机。

"I see 20 or 30 million people coming out of poverty in China every year," said Guiliani. "To me, that's 20 or 30 million more customers for the United States."

他说：“你看到中国每年都有两千万或者三千万人摆脱贫困。而在我看来，那是美国的两千万或三千的新顾客。”

Congressman⁶ Ron Paul said his approach to cut government spending involves sharply reducing the nation's military and civilian⁷ presence around the world. He also criticized the war in Iraq as a major drain on the nation.

国会议员罗恩.保尔说，他削减政府开支的途径涉及大量减少美国派驻世界各地的军事和非军事人员。他还批评伊拉克战争是耗费美国财政开支的最主要项目。

"It was not worth it," said Paul. "And it is a sad story because we started the war and we should never be a country that starts war needlessly."

他说：“这不值得。这是令人悲哀的事实，因为是我们发起的这场战争，而我们绝不应该是一场无谓战争的发起国。”

Organizers say a debate on Sunday for Democratic presidential candidates is unlikely because some candidates have not committed. This week, Democrats⁸ have been campaigning in South Carolina ahead of a primary vote on Saturday.

辩论会的组织者说，民主党总统候选人不大可能在星期天举行辩论，因为某些候选人还没有表示要参加的意愿。这个星期，民主党候选人一直在南卡罗来纳州竞选，为星期六在那里举行的初选作准备。