2006年VOA标准英语-Iraq Dominates Lieberman Re-Election Bid

By Jim Malone
Washington
07 August 2006

The war in Iraq is playing a central role in the re-election battle of one of the country's best-known Democrats², Senator Joseph Lieberman of Connecticut. Lieberman faces a tough primary challenge from fellow Democrat¹ Ned Lamont on Tuesday because of his Lieberman's support for the war. 

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Joe Lieberman stops to talk to a young boy as Lieberman visited Rajun Cajun restaurant in Hartford, August 7, 2006  
  
Joe Lieberman is known as one of the country's most prominent moderate Democrats. He is seeking a fourth six-year term in the Senate and was Al Gore's vice³ presidential running mate in the 2000 presidential election.

But Lieberman now finds himself fighting to continue his political career against fellow Democrat and political newcomer Ned Lamont.

Lamont has capitalized on strong anti-war views among Connecticut Democrats, and leads Lieberman in several polls in advance of Tuesday's primary election.

Lieberman has been fighting back in recent days, acknowledging his support for the Iraq war, but also pointing out he has criticized the Bush administration's handling of the situation there.

"I know that I have taken a position on one issue, Iraq, which is not shared by a lot of other Democrats," he said on ABC's This Week program.  "But my opponent is essentially⁴ saying to them, 'use this primary to vote against George Bush.' But I am not George Bush. I have been against George Bush on most things."

Challenger Ned Lamont has tapped his personal fortune to run a strong campaign against Lieberman. Lamont says the race demonstrates how unpopular the Iraq war has become among liberal Democrats.

"It is an issue about the war, but it is also an issue about what type of a country we are," Lamont told on ABC television. "I think people are tired of spending all that money in Iraq. They want to start investing in our country again."

The Lieberman-Lamont race is drawing national attention, because Iraq has become the central issue in the campaign.

John Orman, a professor of politics at Fairfield University in Connecticut, says candidates and political experts around the country will be watching the Lieberman race to gauge⁵ the impact of Iraq on the 2006 congressional elections in November.

"It is coming very early, and it is going to let citizens know how important that issue is going to be, especially in a Democratic state like Connecticut," said Orman. "The party seems to be having a battle here in Connecticut for the heart and soul of the Democratic Party."

Senator Lieberman has drawn⁶ some well-known Democrats to campaign for him, including former President Bill Clinton.

Ned Lamont is getting support from some liberal activist⁷ groups and so-called bloggers, commentators⁸ on the Internet, who have helped to spark national interest in the Senate race.

Lieberman has already taken steps to run as an independent candidate against Lamont in November, if he loses on Tuesday.

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 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。

4 essentially   

adv.本质上，实质上，基本上

参考例句：

• Really great men are essentially modest.真正的伟人大都很谦虚。
• She is an essentially selfish person.她本质上是个自私自利的人。

5 gauge   

v.精确计量；估计；n.标准度量；计量器

参考例句：

• Can you gauge what her reaction is likely to be?你能揣测她的反应可能是什么吗？
• It's difficult to gauge one's character.要判断一个人的品格是很困难的。

6 drawn   

v.拖，拉，拔出；adj.憔悴的，紧张的

参考例句：

• All the characters in the story are drawn from life.故事中的所有人物都取材于生活。
• Her gaze was drawn irresistibly to the scene outside.她的目光禁不住被外面的风景所吸引。

7 activist   

n.活动分子，积极分子

参考例句：

• He's been a trade union activist for many years.多年来他一直是工会的积极分子。
• He is a social activist in our factory.他是我厂的社会活动积极分子。

8 commentators   

n.评论员( commentator的名词复数 )；时事评论员；注释者；实况广播员

参考例句：

• Sports commentators repeat the same phrases ad nauseam. 体育解说员翻来覆去说着同样的词语，真叫人腻烦。
• Television sports commentators repeat the same phrases ad nauseam. 电视体育解说员说来说去就是那么几句话，令人厌烦。 来自《简明英汉词典》