VOA标准英语2008年-Democrats Await Obama's Vice Presidential Choic

Democratic presidential contender Barack Obama is expected to name his vice¹ presidential running mate at any moment. Obama and his yet to be identified running mate are scheduled to appear together in the senator's home state of Illinois on Saturday. VOA National correspondent Jim Malone reports from Washington.
　

Sen. Barack Obama speaks at a town hall meeting at Oscar Smith High School in Chesapeake, Virginia, 22 Aug 2008

Senator Obama says he has made a decision about a running mate, and the announcement will come first by way of a text message to supporters, reflecting his campaign's groundbreaking use of cutting edge technology and networking.

Speculation² from Democrats³ and political analysts⁴ has focused on a small group of potential vice presidential picks. They include Senators Joe Biden of Delaware and Evan Bayh of Indiana, as well as Governors Tim Kaine of Virginia and Kathleen Sebelius of Kansas. The Associated Press reported that Texas Congressman⁵ Chet Edwards was also a surprise contender.
　

Hillary Clinton holds shirt supporting Obama (file)

There was little speculation that Obama might pick Senator Hillary Clinton of New York, his rival in the Democratic primaries. Clinton has been given a key speaking role at next week's Democratic Convention.

Obama spoke⁶ about the qualities he is seeking in a running mate on CBS television's 'The Early Show.'

"Obviously, the most important question is, is this person prepared to be president? The second most important question from my perspective is can this person help me govern," he said.

Obama also said he wants a vice president who will be independent.

"I want somebody who is going to be able to challenge my thinking and not simply be a 'yes person' when it comes to policy," he said.
　

Senator Joseph Biden (Jan 2007 photo)

Much of the speculation is focused on Senator Biden, chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. Many political experts say Biden would fit Obama's need for an experienced foreign policy hand on the Democratic ticket.

The selection of a running mate will come just days before Monday's opening of the Democratic National Convention in Denver, Colorado. Obama will be formally nominated at the four-day convention and will give his acceptance speech before a crowd of 75,000 people at a football stadium next Thursday.
　

Sen. John McCain smiles during a town hall meeting on the campus of New Mexico State University in Las Cruces, New Mexico, 20 Aug 2008

Obama's Republican opponent, Senator John McCain, will be formally nominated at his party's national convention the following week in Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minnesota. McCain is expected to announce his vice presidential running mate shortly before the Republican convention.

1 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。

2 speculation   

n.思索，沉思；猜测；投机

参考例句：

• Her mind is occupied with speculation.她的头脑忙于思考。
• There is widespread speculation that he is going to resign.人们普遍推测他要辞职。

3 democrats   

n.民主主义者，民主人士( democrat的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• The Democrats held a pep rally on Capitol Hill yesterday. 民主党昨天在国会山召开了竞选誓师大会。
• The democrats organize a filibuster in the senate. 民主党党员组织了阻挠议事。 来自《简明英汉词典》

4 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。

5 Congressman   

n.（美）国会议员

参考例句：

• He related several anecdotes about his first years as a congressman.他讲述自己初任议员那几年的几则轶事。
• The congressman is meditating a reply to his critics.这位国会议员正在考虑给他的批评者一个答复。

6 spoke   

n.（车轮的）辐条；轮辐；破坏某人的计划；阻挠某人的行动 v.讲，谈（speak的过去式）；说；演说；从某种观点来说

参考例句：

• They sourced the spoke nuts from our company.他们的轮辐螺帽是从我们公司获得的。
• The spokes of a wheel are the bars that connect the outer ring to the centre.辐条是轮子上连接外圈与中心的条棒。