2007年VOA标准英语-Iowa Republicans Make Early Presidential Choice

By Jeffrey Young
Washington
15 August 2007
 

Fifteen months before the November 2008 presidential election, Iowans belonging to the Republican Party (GOP) have held an informal preference poll on the GOP White House contenders. VOA's Jeffrey Young looks at this early test, and its impact far beyond Iowa.

The 2007 Iowa straw poll is one of the first indicators1 of voter preferences

In the middle of August, it is so hot in the mid-American state of Iowa that the air seems to shimmer². Crops stand tall in the fields, the harvest about a month away.  But something else is also growing in Iowa -- interest in next year's presidential election. And candidates are there.

At Iowa State University in the city of Ames, thousands of Republicans gather to hold a straw poll. The top vote getters gain greater visibility and more campaign contributions. For the poll's participants, it is grassroots democracy in action.

Voter Gail Teal says, "Well, I feel it's important that everyone takes part in the voting process. We have that freedom. We're fortunate that we are able to. And I think we should take advantage of that."

Many candidates treat the straw poll as if it was a real election. Some candidates spend millions of dollars building recognition and support.

Iowa straw poll participants show inked pink thumbs

Politics are at a fever pitch. The scene resembles a national political convention. Before each candidate speaks, his supporters fill the coliseum floor. And when the speech is over, the throng³ marches out, to be replaced by those supporting the next contender.

Throughout the day, voters cast their ballots⁴ and get their thumb inked to show they participated. It costs $35 to take part. Some observers say the straw poll better reflects a candidate's coffers than the White House aspirant's real appeal to the voters.

But to participants, the real winner is Iowa itself. Participant David Lundberg says, "I think it's important that we represent the central United States, the grassroots of the United States. If the candidates can come here and field here first, rather than go to the high population centers, I think that's good for the nation."

Outside the coliseum, there is a festival atmosphere, with tents set up by the presidential candidates. Lots of food, live bands and the candidates stoking enthusiasm.

The Iowa Republican Straw Poll has traditionally attracted the Party's most committed members. These people are driven by issues they feel should be at the forefront of campaign discussion. Participant Suzanne Stannick says, "The important issues this year to me are taxes, the economy, pro-life issues [anti-abortion], and immigration."

Iowans plan to meet again in early 2008 to cast formal votes in their state's caucus⁵.  Like a primary, a caucus determines how many of each candidate's delegates will be sent to the party's national convention. The snow may be deep by then, but the political action will be as hot, as it was in August. As before, the entire nation will be watching.

1 indicators   

（仪器上显示温度、压力、耗油量等的）指针( indicator的名词复数 )； 指示物； （车辆上的）转弯指示灯； 指示信号

参考例句：

• The economic indicators are better than expected. 经济指标比预期的好。
• It is still difficult to develop indicators for many concepts used in social science. 为社会科学领域的许多概念确立一个指标仍然很难。

2 shimmer   

v./n.发微光，发闪光；微光

参考例句：

• The room was dark,but there was a shimmer of moonlight at the window.屋子里很黑，但靠近窗户的地方有点微光。
• Nor is there anything more virginal than the shimmer of young foliage.没有什么比新叶的微光更纯洁无瑕了。

3 throng   

n.人群，群众；v.拥挤，群集

参考例句：

• A patient throng was waiting in silence.一大群耐心的人在静静地等着。
• The crowds thronged into the mall.人群涌进大厅。

4 ballots   

n.投票表决( ballot的名词复数 )；选举；选票；投票总数v.（使）投票表决( ballot的第三人称单数 )

参考例句：

• They're counting the ballots. 他们正在计算选票。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• The news of rigged ballots has rubbed off much of the shine of their election victory. 他们操纵选票的消息使他们在选举中获得的胜利大为减色。 来自《简明英汉词典》

5 caucus   

n.秘密会议；干部会议；v.（参加）干部开会议

参考例句：

• This multi-staged caucus takes several months.这个多级会议常常历时好几个月。
• It kept the Democratic caucus from fragmenting.它也使得民主党的核心小组避免了土崩瓦解的危险。