VOA标准英语2008年-World Watches as Obama Makes History

The world has watched with growing interest these last few days as the U.S. Democratic Party chose Barack Obama as its presidential candidate, the first African-American to be a major party nominee¹. U.S. presidential elections always generate interest around the world, but rarely as much as Barack Obama's candidacy has. VOA's Sonja Pace has more from London.
　
Sen. Barack Obama, his wife, Michelle, daughters Malia (2nd from r) and Sasha wave after his acceptance speech at the Democratic National Convention in Denver, 28 Aug 2008

Europeans tend to watch American party conventions with fascination² and wonder - the carnival³ atmosphere, the balloons, placards and fireworks are all far removed from the much more staid European political norms.

But, this particular presidential contest has stirred a great deal of fascination and the reason is Barack Obama.

He is the first African-American chosen by a mainstream⁴, major political party as its candidate and the first one with a realistic shot at the White House. But, Barack Obama is also young, articulate and talks about hopes and dreams.

That message clearly resonated with the more than 200,000 people who turned out in Berlin to hear Obama speak there in July.

His words also seem to strike a chord with many across the globe. One woman in China, who gives her name as Mrs. Zhao, tells VOA she thinks Obama is inspirational.

He's young she says, and "when he speaks he's really able to say, how shall I put it, inspirational things. America needs this kind of voice."

Another person on the streets of Beijing says he is also impressed. "He's friendly and he cares about citizens, he cares about people," he said.

In parts of the Middle East reactions were less effusive⁵ and any choice for U.S. president will be viewed through the prism of the local situation.

A young Israeli medical student who gave his name only as Shai, told VOA he likes Obama, but has concerns.

"I'm afraid he will not be as hard with Iran as we wish he would be," he said. "The other [issue]… I hope he will be hard with Israel and force it to withdraw from the West Bank and to form a Palestinian state, but I am sure he will not do so. But, I'm sure John McCain will not do so [either]."

Reaction to Obama was even tougher in traditionally Arab East Jerusalem, where 65-year-old Jamal expressed serious and often-heard doubts about American policy, no matter who is in the White House. "Mr. Obama is like Mr. Bush, like all of them," he said. "No one does anything for the Palestinians. Only for the Jewish. For the Palestinians, no one in America will do anything."

But the skepticism of the Middle East is not shared everywhere. In Kenya, the homeland of Barack Obama's African father, has been watching his presidential campaign with a combination of interest and pride.

Speaking with VOA from the streets of Nairobi, Peter Odhiambo, 59, describes Obama as young, energetic, visionary. "One thing is that Obama is connected to Africa, then he is close to Africa and he knows a lot about Africa," he said.

Several people cited Obama's Kenyan background and said they felt he would do more to help disadvantaged people in Africa and elsewhere.

Travel agent, Mercy Kamau says Obama's candidacy is a dream come true for many Africans. "I think he's a great role model for Afro-Americans and for the Africans at large," said Kamau.

In Europe, Barack Obama's acceptance speech in Denver was carried on many television screens across the continent, his picture made every front page of every major newspaper. In its front-page headline the British daily, the Times described Obama's candidacy as a "date with destiny."

1 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。

2 fascination   

n.令人着迷的事物，魅力，迷恋

参考例句：

• He had a deep fascination with all forms of transport.他对所有的运输工具都很着迷。
• His letters have been a source of fascination to a wide audience.广大观众一直迷恋于他的来信。

3 carnival   

n.嘉年华会，狂欢，狂欢节，巡回表演

参考例句：

• I got some good shots of the carnival.我有几个狂欢节的精彩镜头。
• Our street puts on a carnival every year.我们街的居民每年举行一次嘉年华会。

4 mainstream   

n.（思想或行为的）主流；adj.主流的

参考例句：

• Their views lie outside the mainstream of current medical opinion.他们的观点不属于当今医学界观点的主流。
• Polls are still largely reflects the mainstream sentiment.民调还在很大程度上反映了社会主流情绪。

5 effusive   

adj.热情洋溢的；感情(过多)流露的

参考例句：

• Every visitor noticed that her effusive welcome was not sincere.所有的客人都看出来她那过分热情的欢迎是不真诚的。
• Her effusive thanks embarrassed everybody.她道谢时非常激动，弄得大家不好意思。