VOA标准英语10月-Former Bush Secretary of State Powell Endorses Ob

Former U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell says he is backing Democrat¹ Barack Obama for president. VOA's Paula Wolfson reports Powell made the announcement during a nationally broadcast television interview.
　

Colin Powell, 10 Oct 2008

Powell says Barack Obama has the ability to transform America and American politics.

"He has met the standard of being a successful president, being an exceptional president. I think he is a transformational figure. He is a new generation coming onto the world stage, onto the American stage. And for that reason, I will be voting for Senator Barack Obama," he said.

It was an important high-profile endorsement² for Obama from a fellow African-American who served first as the nation's top military officer and later as its chief diplomat³.

Powell, a retired⁴ general, was the secretary of state during President George W. Bush's first term. And while he has never held a prominent political post, he has served in several Republican administrations.

Appearing on NBC's Meet the Press, Powell said both Barack Obama and his opponent, Republican John McCain, could handle the job of commander-in-chief. But he indicated he believes Obama would be better able to tackle the nation's economic problems and improve its standing⁵ abroad.

"I think the number one issue the [new] president is going to have to deal with is the economy - that is what the American people are worried about," added Powell. "And frankly⁶, it is not just an American problem, it is an international problem."

Powell said he has been friends with John McCain for many years. But he said he is disappointed in the tone of the McCain campaign, and the choice of Sarah Palin as the Republican vice⁷ presidential nominee⁸.

He was asked if race played a role in his decision to back Senator Obama.

"If I had only that in mind, I could have done this six, eight, 10 months ago. I really have been going back and forth⁹ between somebody I have the highest respect regard for - John McCain - and somebody I was getting to know, Barack Obama," Powell said. "And it was only in the last couple of months that I settled on this."

Senator Obama welcomed the news at a campaign rally in North Carolina - a state where Republicans are traditionally strong.

"Today, I am beyond humbled¹⁰. I am deeply honored to have the support of General Colin Powell"

Senator McCain downplayed the Powell announcement when asked about it on the Fox News Sunday television program.

"I have always admired and respected General Powell. We are long-time friends. This does not come as a surprise. And I am also very pleased to have the endorsement of four former secretaries of state - Secretaries Baker¹¹, Kissinger, Eagleburger and Haig," he said.

With just over two weeks left until Election Day, nationwide polls put Obama in the lead. But the race is tightening¹², and John McCain says he is still confident of victory.

"I have been on enough campaigns, my friend, to sense enthusiasm and momentum¹³ and we have got it," said McCain.

For his part, Senator Obama is warning his supporters against being overconfident. He is spending his weekend campaigning in states that are usually strong for Republicans - such as North Carolina and Missouri.

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 endorsement   

n.背书；赞成，认可，担保；签(注)，批注

参考例句：

• We are happy to give the product our full endorsement.我们很高兴给予该产品完全的认可。
• His presidential campaign won endorsement from several celebrities.他参加总统竞选得到一些社会名流的支持。

3 diplomat   

n.外交官，外交家；能交际的人，圆滑的人

参考例句：

• The diplomat threw in a joke, and the tension was instantly relieved.那位外交官插进一个笑话，紧张的气氛顿时缓和下来。
• He served as a diplomat in Russia before the war.战前他在俄罗斯当外交官。

4 retired   

adj.隐退的，退休的，退役的

参考例句：

• The old man retired to the country for rest.这位老人下乡休息去了。
• Many retired people take up gardening as a hobby.许多退休的人都以从事园艺为嗜好。

5 standing   

n.持续，地位；adj.永久的，不动的，直立的，不流动的

参考例句：

• After the earthquake only a few houses were left standing.地震过后只有几幢房屋还立着。
• They're standing out against any change in the law.他们坚决反对对法律做任何修改。

6 frankly   

adv.坦白地，直率地；坦率地说

参考例句：

• To speak frankly, I don't like the idea at all.老实说，我一点也不赞成这个主意。
• Frankly speaking, I'm not opposed to reform.坦率地说，我不反对改革。

7 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。

8 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。

9 forth   

adv.向前；向外，往外

参考例句：

• The wind moved the trees gently back and forth.风吹得树轻轻地来回摇晃。
• He gave forth a series of works in rapid succession.他很快连续发表了一系列的作品。

10 humbled   

adj. 卑下的，谦逊的，粗陋的 vt. 使 ... 卑下，贬低

参考例句：

• The examination results humbled him. 考试成绩挫了他的傲气。
• I am sure millions of viewers were humbled by this story. 我相信数百万观众看了这个故事后都会感到自己的渺小。

11 baker   

n.面包师

参考例句：

• The baker bakes his bread in the bakery.面包师在面包房内烤面包。
• The baker frosted the cake with a mixture of sugar and whites of eggs.面包师在蛋糕上撒了一层白糖和蛋清的混合料。

12 tightening   

上紧，固定，紧密

参考例句：

• Make sure the washer is firmly seated before tightening the pipe. 旋紧水管之前，检查一下洗衣机是否已牢牢地固定在底座上了。
• It needs tightening up a little. 它还需要再收紧些。

13 momentum   

n.动力，冲力，势头；动量

参考例句：

• We exploit the energy and momentum conservation laws in this way.我们就是这样利用能量和动量守恒定律的。
• The law of momentum conservation could supplant Newton's third law.动量守恒定律可以取代牛顿第三定律。