VOA慢速英语-IN THE NEWS - The Presidential Campaign Heats Up wit

This is IN THE NEWS in VOA Special English.

The November fourth presidential election in the United States is only about three months away. The two candidates are in a close race. Recent opinion studies show voters are most concerned about the economy and high fuel prices.

One important issue is taxes. The Democratic Party candidate, Senator Barack Obama, opposes tax cuts for rich people. But he has promised to cut taxes for middle income Americans. The likely Republican Party nominee¹, Senator John McCain, had opposed President Bush's tax cut plan for wealthy Americans. But now the Arizona senator supports their continuation.
　

Barack Obama after his speech in Berlin on July 24

Barack Obama returned to talking about the economy and other national issues this week, after completing a trip to the Middle East and Europe last week. He met with officials in Afghanistan and Iraq and with Israeli and Palestinian leaders. In the German capital, Berlin, about two hundred thousand people gathered to hear Senator Obama speak. They waved American flags as they cheered. Senator Obama's trip was meant to improve public opinion of his ability to lead foreign policy and be commander in chief of the armed forces.

While Mister Obama was traveling to other countries, Mister McCain visited cities and towns throughout the United States. Senator McCain's campaign has complained that media coverage² of Barack Obama's trip was unfairly positive.

But recent public opinion study results do not seem to have changed much since Senator Obama returned to the United States. The latest Gallup public opinion study of national registered voters shows Mister Obama leading Mister McCain by only one percentage point.

The poll represents opinions gathered between Monday and Wednesday of this week. The race has remained close between the two candidates throughout the summer.
　

John McCain speaking in Orlando, Florida Saturday

This week, both campaigns have been broadcasting negative advertising³ on television around the country. One advertisement from the McCain campaign questions Senator Obama's experience to lead the country. It combines pictures of Mister Obama speaking to the huge crowd in Germany with images of the famous celebrities⁴ Britney Spears and Paris Hilton. The ad says: "He is the biggest celebrity⁵ in the world. But is he ready to lead?" The Obama campaign released its own advertisement that says: "John McCain. Same old politics, same failed policies."

In addition to long days of campaigning, both candidates are also in the process of choosing their vice⁶ presidential candidates. The Democratic and Republican nominating conventions will be held in late August and early September.

And that's IN THE NEWS in VOA Special English, written by Brianna Blake. You can read scripts and download audio on our Web site, voaspecialenglish.com. I'm Steve Ember.

1 nominee   

n.被提名者；被任命者；被推荐者

参考例句：

• His nominee for vice president was elected only after a second ballot.他提名的副总统在两轮投票后才当选。
• Mr.Francisco is standing as the official nominee for the post of District Secretary.弗朗西斯科先生是行政书记职位的正式提名人。

2 coverage   

n.报导，保险范围，保险额，范围，覆盖

参考例句：

• There's little coverage of foreign news in the newspaper.报纸上几乎没有国外新闻报道。
• This is an insurance policy with extensive coverage.这是一项承保范围广泛的保险。

3 advertising   

n.广告业；广告活动 a.广告的；广告业务的

参考例句：

• Can you give me any advice on getting into advertising? 你能指点我如何涉足广告业吗?
• The advertising campaign is aimed primarily at young people. 这个广告宣传运动主要是针对年轻人的。

4 celebrities   

n.（尤指娱乐界的）名人( celebrity的名词复数 )；名流；名声；名誉

参考例句：

• He only invited A-list celebrities to his parties. 他只邀请头等名流参加他的聚会。
• a TV chat show full of B-list celebrities 由众多二流人物参加的电视访谈节目

5 celebrity   

n.名人，名流；著名，名声，名望

参考例句：

• Tom found himself something of a celebrity. 汤姆意识到自己已小有名气了。
• He haunted famous men, hoping to get celebrity for himself. 他常和名人在一起, 希望借此使自己获得名气。

6 vice   

n.坏事；恶习；[pl.]台钳，老虎钳；adj.副的

参考例句：

• He guarded himself against vice.他避免染上坏习惯。
• They are sunk in the depth of vice.他们堕入了罪恶的深渊。