2006年VOA标准英语-Democrats Take Control of House, Key Senate Rac

By Mike O'Sullivan
Los Angeles
08 November 2006

The Democratic Party took control of the U.S. House of Representatives in Tuesday's elections. Key senate races in Virginia and Montana remained uncertain and it was unclear, early Wednesday, which party will control the Senate.

--------

Nancy Pelosi

For Democrat¹ Nancy Pelosi, the victory in the House of Representatives sends a message about integrity in government, in the wake of congressional scandals, and about the war in Iraq. Pelosi - a member of Congress from San Francisco is set to become the first woman speaker of the House of Representatives, for a two-year term that starts next year. She promises cooperation with Republicans.

"Let us work together to find a solution to the war in Iraq," she said. "The campaign is over. Democrats² are ready to lead."

It will be the first time the Democrats have controlled the House of Representatives in 12 years. Democratic National Committee Chairman Howard Dean says the president is still in charge of foreign policy and the military, but that Democrats will work to change administration policy.

Republican Senator John McCain says Americans are frustrated³ with the war in Iraq, but he predicts that most members of Congress will not support an immediate⁴ withdrawal⁵.

"I believe that if you leave at a date certain or precipitously, that chaos⁶ would ensue. And, most every military expert I know feels the same way," he said. "So we have got to prevail here, but I understand the frustration⁷ Americans feel."

Illinois Congressman⁸ Rahm Emanuel, who led the Democratic campaign to regain⁹ control of the House, promised a new direction in government.

"That is our commitment. And, tonight we extend a hand of cooperation to the president, our colleagues across the aisle¹⁰. We will work with you when we agree. We will challenge you when we do not," he said. "But our goal will always be the best interests of our country."

Republican National Committee Chairman Ken¹¹ Mehlman says his party needs to forge coalitions¹² with congressional Democrats.

Several prominent Republicans lost their seats in the election, including Senate members Lincoln Chafee of Rhode Island, Rick Santorum of Pennsylvania, Mike DeWine of Ohio and Jim Talent of Missouri.

There was good news for Republicans in California. Although they lost their bid to unseat California's Democratic senator, Dianne Feinstein, Republican Arnold Schwarzenegger was elected to a second term as governor.

The former Hollywood star will reprise his political role for the next four years. He celebrated¹³ with supporters in Los Angeles.

"What a fantastic evening," he said. "You know, I love doing sequels. I love doing sequels."

American voters selected 36 state governors, 435 members of the House of Representatives, and 33 members of the Senate in Tuesday's election.

1 democrat   

n.民主主义者，民主人士；民主党党员

参考例句：

• The Democrat and the Public criticized each other.民主党人和共和党人互相攻击。
• About two years later,he was defeated by Democrat Jimmy Carter.大约两年后，他被民主党人杰米卡特击败。

2 democrats   

n.民主主义者，民主人士( democrat的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• The Democrats held a pep rally on Capitol Hill yesterday. 民主党昨天在国会山召开了竞选誓师大会。
• The democrats organize a filibuster in the senate. 民主党党员组织了阻挠议事。 来自《简明英汉词典》

3 frustrated   

adj.挫败的，失意的，泄气的v.使不成功( frustrate的过去式和过去分词 )；挫败；使受挫折；令人沮丧

参考例句：

• It's very easy to get frustrated in this job. 这个工作很容易令人懊恼。
• The bad weather frustrated all our hopes of going out. 恶劣的天气破坏了我们出行的愿望。 来自《简明英汉词典》

4 immediate   

adj.立即的；直接的，最接近的；紧靠的

参考例句：

• His immediate neighbours felt it their duty to call.他的近邻认为他们有责任去拜访。
• We declared ourselves for the immediate convocation of the meeting.我们主张立即召开这个会议。

5 withdrawal   

n.取回，提款；撤退，撤军；收回，撤销

参考例句：

• The police were forced to make a tactical withdrawal.警方被迫进行战术撤退。
• They insisted upon a withdrawal of the statement and a public apology.他们坚持要收回那些话并公开道歉。

6 chaos   

n.混乱，无秩序

参考例句：

• After the failure of electricity supply the city was in chaos.停电后，城市一片混乱。
• The typhoon left chaos behind it.台风后一片混乱。

7 frustration   

n.挫折，失败，失效，落空

参考例句：

• He had to fight back tears of frustration.他不得不强忍住失意的泪水。
• He beat his hands on the steering wheel in frustration.他沮丧地用手打了几下方向盘。

8 Congressman   

n.（美）国会议员

参考例句：

• He related several anecdotes about his first years as a congressman.他讲述自己初任议员那几年的几则轶事。
• The congressman is meditating a reply to his critics.这位国会议员正在考虑给他的批评者一个答复。

9 regain   

vt.重新获得，收复，恢复

参考例句：

• He is making a bid to regain his World No.1 ranking.他正为重登世界排名第一位而努力。
• The government is desperate to regain credibility with the public.政府急于重新获取公众的信任。

10 aisle   

n.（教堂、教室、戏院等里的）过道，通道

参考例句：

• The aisle was crammed with people.过道上挤满了人。
• The girl ushered me along the aisle to my seat.引座小姐带领我沿着通道到我的座位上去。

11 ken   

n.视野，知识领域

参考例句：

• Such things are beyond my ken.我可不懂这些事。
• Abstract words are beyond the ken of children.抽象的言辞超出小孩所理解的范围.

12 coalitions   

结合体，同盟( coalition的名词复数 )； （两党或多党）联合政府

参考例句：

• History testifies to the ineptitude of coalitions in waging war. 历史昭示我们，多数国家联合作战，其进行甚为困难。
• All the coalitions in history have disintegrated sooner or later. 历史上任何联盟迟早都垮台了。

13 celebrated   

adj.有名的，声誉卓著的

参考例句：

• He was soon one of the most celebrated young painters in England.不久他就成了英格兰最负盛名的年轻画家之一。
• The celebrated violinist was mobbed by the audience.观众团团围住了这位著名的小提琴演奏家。