VOA标准英语10月-US Vice Presidential Candidates Palin, Biden Set

Republican Sarah Palin and Democrat¹ Joe Biden are set to face off in a much-anticipated vice² presidential debate Thursday night in St. Louis, Missouri. Voters are likely to be especially focused on Alaska Governor Palin, a newcomer to the national stage who has electrified³ many in her party but has also had some shaky moments in recent interviews. VOA Correspondent Cindy Saine reports.
　

Gov. Sarah Palin speaks during a rally in Ohio, 29 Sep 2008

An interview that aired this week with CBS television news anchor Katie Couric has attracted a lot of attention because of a couple of questions Governor Palin seemed unable to answer. Palin replied to a question from Couric on which newspapers and magazines she liked to read to stay informed.

"I've read most of them, again with a great appreciation⁴ for the press, for the media," Palin told Couric.

"But like, what ones specifically, " Couric asked.

"All of them, any of them," Palin responded.

A new ABC News/Washington Post poll released Wednesday shows that six in 10 Americans now doubt Palin's qualifications to serve as president in the event McCain wins the election and something happened to him. The poll reflects a steep decline in Palin's popularity, after she initially⁵ gave a big boost to Republican nominee⁶ John McCain.
　

Sen. John McCain conducts a Small Business Roundtable Discussion with local business officials at EFCO in Des Moines, Iowa, 30 Sep 2008

McCain strongly defended Palin in a meeting with the Des Moines Register newspaper earlier this week. He was asked why voters should have confidence in Palin's ability to succeed him as president if it should become necessary.

"With due respect, I strongly disagree with your premise⁷ that she does not have experience and knowledge and background," McCain said. "I fundamentally disagree and I am proud of her record. And it is not an accident that she is the most popular governor in America."

Some analysts⁹ say this will be Palin's chance to show she is ready for the national stage, and that this debate, the only vice presidential debate in this election, could be a defining moment for her political career.

"Having been thrown into national politics with almost no preparation, now there is this enormous spotlight¹⁰ on her and she has got to live up to a pretty high standard, what people expect of someone playing in that league," said Bruce Miroff, a political expert at the State University of New York at Albany.
　

Sen. Joe Biden speaks at a rally in front of the Detroit Public Library in Detroit, Michigan, 28 Sept. 2008

Democratic Senator Joe Biden of Delaware faces different challenges in the debate. He has had years of foreign policy experience on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. But he is famous for his verbal gaffes¹¹ and for talking too much. University of Virginia analyst⁸ Larry Sabato compares and contrasts the two vice presidential candidates.

"Biden knows a great deal after 36 years in the Senate, but most people can take him only in small doses," Sabato noted¹². "Sarah Palin is a very pleasant and likable individual, and she knows very little, especially about foreign policy."

Speaking to reporters on the campaign trail, Biden said he was preparing for this debate just like any other.

"I go into every debate assuming that in fact, the person I am debating is as smart as I am, and is as tough as I am, and knows as much as I do," Biden said.

Several Democratic lawmakers and strategists have cautioned that Palin was indeed a tough and formidable debater in her successful 2006 campaign to become Alaska's governor. Some analysts, like Larry Sabato, also point out that vice presidential debates rarely change voters' minds, and that, in the end, the focus will shift back to Democratic nominee Barack Obama and Republican nominee John McCain. Several polls released this week show Obama opening up a significant lead over McCain.

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 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。

3 electrified   

v.使电气化( electrify的过去式和过去分词 )；使兴奋

参考例句：

• The railway line was electrified in the 1950s. 这条铁路线在20世纪50年代就实现了电气化。
• The national railway system has nearly all been electrified. 全国的铁路系统几乎全部实现了电气化。 来自《简明英汉词典》

4 appreciation   

n.评价；欣赏；感谢；领会，理解；价格上涨

参考例句：

• I would like to express my appreciation and thanks to you all.我想对你们所有人表达我的感激和谢意。
• I'll be sending them a donation in appreciation of their help.我将送给他们一笔捐款以感谢他们的帮助。

5 initially   

adv.最初，开始

参考例句：

• The ban was initially opposed by the US.这一禁令首先遭到美国的反对。
• Feathers initially developed from insect scales.羽毛最初由昆虫的翅瓣演化而来。

6 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。

7 premise   

n.前提；v.提论，预述

参考例句：

• Let me premise my argument with a bit of history.让我引述一些史实作为我立论的前提。
• We can deduce a conclusion from the premise.我们可以从这个前提推出结论。

8 analyst   

n.分析家，化验员；心理分析学家

参考例句：

• What can you contribute to the position of a market analyst?你有什么技能可有助于市场分析员的职务？
• The analyst is required to interpolate values between standards.分析人员需要在这些标准中插入一些值。

9 analysts   

分析家，化验员( analyst的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• City analysts forecast huge profits this year. 伦敦金融分析家预测今年的利润非常丰厚。
• I was impressed by the high calibre of the researchers and analysts. 研究人员和分析人员的高素质给我留下了深刻印象。

10 spotlight   

n.公众注意的中心，聚光灯，探照灯，视听，注意，醒目

参考例句：

• This week the spotlight is on the world of fashion.本周引人瞩目的是时装界。
• The spotlight followed her round the stage.聚光灯的光圈随着她在舞台上转。

11 gaffes   

n.失礼，出丑( gaffe的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• The presidential candidate made three mistakes, or gaffes, during his speech. 校长候选人在演讲中出了三次错，或失态。 来自超越目标英语 第4册
• When the microphones were on, gaffes gushed from his lips. 而当电话响起，他却口无遮拦，屡屡失言。 来自互联网

12 noted   

adj.著名的，知名的

参考例句：

• The local hotel is noted for its good table.当地的那家酒店以餐食精美而著称。
• Jim is noted for arriving late for work.吉姆上班迟到出了名。