VOA标准英语10月-Obama, McCain Clash on Foreign Security Prioritie

Republican Senator John McCain and Democratic Senator Barack Obama clashed about foreign policy and security priorities during their second presidential debate. From Nashville, VOA's Brian Wagner reports the candidates sought to challenge each other on the most serious issues facing the United States.
　

Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill.,(R) and Republican presidential candidate Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., shake hands before the start of the town hall-style presidential debate in Nashville, Tenn., 08 Oct 2008

The two major presidential candidates used sharp criticism of each other to defend their positions on the war in Iraq, and nuclear threats posed by Iran and North Korea. The town hall debate in Nashville allowed Senator McCain a chance to renew his support for U.S. military forces in Iraq, while Senator Obama repeated his opposition¹ to the war.

McCain said his military and Senate experience have well prepared him to face tough decisions, more so than his opponent.

"My judgement is a record I am willing to stand on. Senator Obama was wrong on Iraq and the surge. He was wrong about Russia when it committed aggression² against Georgia. And in his short career he does not understand our national security challenges," said McCain. "You would not have time for on the job training, my friend."

Obama attacked McCain for supporting the war in Iraq and his proposal to keep U.S. troops in the country until security conditions change. He said his opponent has been wrong from the start.

"Senator McCain was cheer-leading the president to go into Iraq. He suggested it was going to be quick and easy. He said we were going to be greeted as liberators," said Obama. "That was the wrong judgment³, and it has been costly⁴ to us."

Obama said the continued military effort in Iraq has distracted from major security challenges in Afghanistan and Pakistan. He also accused McCain of being too supportive of possible military strikes on Iran and North Korea.

"This is the guy who sang 'bomb bomb Iran,' who called for the annihilation of North Korea," he said. "That is not an example of speaking softly."

McCain said his approach to foreign security issues is to speak softly and carry a big stick, echoing the words of former U.S. president Teddy Roosevelt. He said a tough stance is needed especially with Russia.

"Ukraine right now is in the sights of Vladimir Putin, and those who want to reassemble the old Soviet⁵ Union," he said. "We have got to show moral support for Georgia, we have go to show moral support for Ukraine. We have got to advocate for their membership in NATO."

Obama said U.S. support and financial aid should extend to other former Soviet areas, such as Latvia, Estonia and Poland.

"We have also got to provide them with financial and concrete assistance to help them rebuild their economies," he said. "Georgia is on the brink⁶ of enormous economic challenges. Some say that is what Putin intended in the first place."

Both candidates agreed that Iran and the continuation of its nuclear program pose serious challenges to the United States and the country's next president.

McCain said he would lead multilateral efforts to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons.

"I want to make sure we put enough pressure on the Iranians, by joining with our allies, imposing⁷ significant, tough sanctions to modify their behavior," McCain said.

Obama also said he supports a variety of international sanctions against Iran. But he broke with Senator McCain and President Bush, in saying he does not oppose direct talks with Iran and North Korea.

"When President Bush decided⁸ we are not going to talk to Iran, we are not going to talk to North Korea, you know what happened? Iran went from zero centrifuges to develop nuclear weapons to 4,000," said Obama. "North Korea quadrupled its nuclear capability⁹."

Senator McCain has repeatedly criticized Obama for his openness to meeting with the leaders of Iran, North Korea and other hostile nations.

In less than a month, U.S. voters will decide which candidate will take over those security and foreign policy issues.

1 opposition   

n.反对，敌对

参考例句：

• The party leader is facing opposition in his own backyard.该党领袖在自己的党內遇到了反对。
• The police tried to break down the prisoner's opposition.警察设法制住了那个囚犯的反抗。

2 aggression   

n.进攻，侵略，侵犯，侵害

参考例句：

• So long as we are firmly united, we need fear no aggression.只要我们紧密地团结，就不必惧怕外来侵略。
• Her view is that aggression is part of human nature.她认为攻击性是人类本性的一部份。

3 judgment   

n.审判；判断力，识别力，看法，意见

参考例句：

• The chairman flatters himself on his judgment of people.主席自认为他审视人比别人高明。
• He's a man of excellent judgment.他眼力过人。

4 costly   

adj.昂贵的，价值高的，豪华的

参考例句：

• It must be very costly to keep up a house like this.维修这么一幢房子一定很昂贵。
• This dictionary is very useful,only it is a bit costly.这本词典很有用，左不过贵了些。

5 Soviet   

adj.苏联的，苏维埃的；n.苏维埃

参考例句：

• Zhukov was a marshal of the former Soviet Union.朱可夫是前苏联的一位元帅。
• Germany began to attack the Soviet Union in 1941.德国在1941年开始进攻苏联。

6 brink   

n.(悬崖、河流等的)边缘，边沿

参考例句：

• The tree grew on the brink of the cliff.那棵树生长在峭壁的边缘。
• The two countries were poised on the brink of war.这两个国家处于交战的边缘。

7 imposing   

adj.使人难忘的，壮丽的，堂皇的，雄伟的

参考例句：

• The fortress is an imposing building.这座城堡是一座宏伟的建筑。
• He has lost his imposing appearance.他已失去堂堂仪表。

8 decided   

adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的

参考例句：

• This gave them a decided advantage over their opponents.这使他们比对手具有明显的优势。
• There is a decided difference between British and Chinese way of greeting.英国人和中国人打招呼的方式有很明显的区别。

9 capability   

n.能力；才能；(pl)可发展的能力或特性等

参考例句：

• She has the capability to become a very fine actress.她有潜力成为杰出演员。
• Organizing a whole department is beyond his capability.组织整个部门是他能力以外的事。