VOA常速英语2008年-Collector Says Memorabilia Helps Americans Reme

By Siri Nyrop
Washington
25 March 2008
 

Technology has changed the way presidential candidates campaign for the White House. But their goal is the same as it has been since America's first presidential election: attracting voters to choose one particular candidate. VOA's Siri Nyrop recently visited a man who collects political memorabilia from past elections featuring memorable¹ - and not so memorable - presidential candidates.

One of America's best-known political symbols - "Uncle Sam" - greets visitors at The McGinn Group in Virginia. The walls transform the offices into a museum of presidential campaign history.

The objects on display and the head of the consulting firm, Dan McGinn, share an important characteristic, he says, "What they have most in common [It is a passion!  This is about commitment:  the commitment of a person, of a campaign team, of a cause, so as you walk through my office, you see the passions that played out."  

Sometimes the names alone were enough to reach the voters. Among the memoabilia is a gift handkerchief that presidential nominee² Woodrow Wilson gave to supporters, and another that marked his election to the highest office in the land.

There is a collection of commemorative plates, including one of James Garfield, who died within months of becoming president in 1881. There are posters rallying support for causes, and mementos³ from long forgotten people who once aspired⁴ to greatness.

"I want something with a story.  So I have items from inaugurations⁵, from failed campaigns.  I also want to reflect the breadth of American politics.  What I have doesn't reflect my own views, I'm not trying to show a partisan⁶ view, I want to show how diverse American politics has been, how nasty it has been in the past, even if we think it's only today.  I want stories of the major events and turns in American history.  Those are the qualities I look for," McGinn said.

This ballot⁷ box was used in the 1940 election with the names of voters neatly⁸ written.

Some of McGinn's memorabilia demonstrates candidates' efforts to connect with voters - a tradition this year's presidential candidates continue. "This is a very good campaign for a lot of reasons," McGinn said.

“The first serious African-American candidate who could win the nomination⁹, the first woman who could win the nomination, the first Mormon. This campaign broke all kinds of barriers - the first candidate who lost 100 pounds, the first one over the age of 70. So for some items, there will be a lot of collection value this season,” he added.

Dan McGinn looks forward to adding new political mementos from this latest chapter of American political history.

1 memorable   

adj.值得回忆的，难忘的，特别的，显著的

参考例句：

• This was indeed the most memorable day of my life.这的确是我一生中最值得怀念的日子。
• The veteran soldier has fought many memorable battles.这个老兵参加过许多难忘的战斗。

2 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。

3 mementos   

纪念品，令人回忆的东西( memento的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• The museum houses a collection of mementos, materials and documents. 博物馆保存着很多回忆录以及文献资料。
• This meant, however, that no one was able to retrieve irreplaceable family mementos. 然而，这也意味着谁也没能把无可替代的家庭纪念品从火中救出来。

4 aspired   

v.渴望，追求( aspire的过去式和过去分词 )

参考例句：

• She aspired to a scientific career. 她有志于科学事业。
• Britain,France,the United States and Japan all aspired to hegemony after the end of World War I. 第一次世界大战后，英、法、美、日都想争夺霸权。 来自《简明英汉词典》

5 inaugurations   

n.就职( inauguration的名词复数 )；就职典礼；开始；开创

参考例句：

6 partisan   

adj.党派性的；游击队的；n.游击队员；党徒

参考例句：

• In their anger they forget all the partisan quarrels.愤怒之中，他们忘掉一切党派之争。
• The numerous newly created partisan detachments began working slowly towards that region.许多新建的游击队都开始慢慢地向那里移动。

7 ballot   

n.（不记名）投票，投票总数，投票权；vi.投票

参考例句：

• The members have demanded a ballot.会员们要求投票表决。
• The union said they will ballot members on whether to strike.工会称他们将要求会员投票表决是否罢工。

8 neatly   

adv.整洁地，干净地，灵巧地，熟练地

参考例句：

• Sailors know how to wind up a long rope neatly.水手们知道怎样把一条大绳利落地缠好。
• The child's dress is neatly gathered at the neck.那孩子的衣服在领口处打着整齐的皱褶。

9 nomination   

n.提名，任命，提名权

参考例句：

• John is favourite to get the nomination for club president.约翰最有希望被提名为俱乐部主席。
• Few people pronounced for his nomination.很少人表示赞成他的提名。