VOA标准英语2008年-Republicans Focus on Obama as Key Election Issu

The Republican National Convention featured no shortage of attacks on Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama, and signaled the Republican strategy in the coming general election campaign. VOA National correspondent Jim Malone reports from the convention site in St. Paul, Minnesota.
　
Senator Barack Obama campaigning in Ohio, 03 Sep 2008

Three people were in the spotlight¹ during this week's Republican convention - the party's presidential nominee² John McCain, his vice³ presidential running mate, Sarah Palin, and McCain's Democratic opponent, Barack Obama.

Former Texas congressman⁴ and Republican House leader Tom DeLay says there was a reason for all the convention attacks on Barack Obama.

"McCain has to define Obama for what he is, a radical⁵ socialist," he said. "But if he can do that, then I think he has a shot to win."

Republican convention speakers criticized Obama, 47, a first-term Senator, for what they believe is a lack of experience compared to McCain, who has served in Congress since 1982. Speakers also painted Obama as one of the most liberal Democrats⁶ in the Senate.

Republicans are also hoping that conservative radio talk show hosts like Mike Gallagher will drum up opposition⁷ to Obama on the airwaves.

"And I truly believe that our country is in big, big trouble if this guy gets elected president of the United States," he said. "I think Republicans have to make it about Barack Obama, while trumpeting⁸ the accomplishments⁹ and the achievements and the conservatism of John McCain."
　
Delegates wave signs during the Republican National Convention in St. Paul, Minn., 02 Sep 2008

Many of the delegates at this week's Republican convention jeered¹⁰ at the mention of Obama's name during the various speeches.

Some of the delegates, though, were more moderate in tone in assessing their differences with the Illinois senator.

Gale¹¹ Sayers is a Republican delegate from Texas.

"Of course, I like him personally," she noted¹². "But we, as Republicans and conservatives, we know that the differences are very, very clear. There is no question mark about it."

To be sure, there were a few Democrats at the Republican convention to counter the anti-Obama rhetoric¹³.

One of the few who did make an appearance at the convention hall was the Democratic Mayor of the nearby city of Minneapolis, R. T. Rybak.

Rybak says he was one of the first big city mayors in the country to endorse¹⁴ Obama.

"I am more than comfortable having Barack Obama as the issue, because Barack Obama has inspired this country," he explained. "The Republicans, all they can do is attacks, they cannot inspire anybody anymore. They have run out of ideas, they have run the country into the ground. It is time to step aside. So, if they want to go do all the negative stuff that is fine. We have got a phenomenal candidate in Barack Obama and he is going to be the next president."

Political analysts¹⁵ who attended the Republican convention say there is some logic¹⁶ behind the Republican strategy to make Obama the main issue in the campaign.

Norman Ornstein is an expert with the American Enterprise Institute in Washington.

"This is an election where people want change, and they identify Democrats as the party of change," he noted. "But Barack Obama in 2008, just like Ronald Reagan in 1980, has to get over the bar of acceptability where people feel comfortable with him as a president."

Ornstein and other analysts give Obama a slight edge in the presidential race, largely because voters seem most concerned with economic issues this year.

Washington-based expert Stuart Rothenberg says the next crucial stage in the presidential campaign comes when the candidates take part in nationally televised debates.

"Right now, the presidential race looks extremely close," he explained. "It looks like it is going to come down to six or seven states, no matter what the popular vote is. It looks like this election is going to come down to Ohio and Colorado and Virginia and Michigan and a few other states. And so a stumble at a crucial time when the entire world is watching can be huge."

Three presidential debates and one between the vice presidential contenders will be held between late September and mid-October.

 

1 spotlight   

n.公众注意的中心，聚光灯，探照灯，视听，注意，醒目

参考例句：

• This week the spotlight is on the world of fashion.本周引人瞩目的是时装界。
• The spotlight followed her round the stage.聚光灯的光圈随着她在舞台上转。

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 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。

4 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。

5 radical   

n.激进份子，原子团，根号；adj.根本的，激进的，彻底的

参考例句：

• The patient got a radical cure in the hospital.病人在医院得到了根治。
• She is radical in her demands.她的要求十分偏激。

6 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》

7 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。

8 trumpeting   

大声说出或宣告（trumpet的现在分词形式）

参考例句：

• She is always trumpeting her son. 她总是吹嘘她儿子。
• The wind is trumpeting, a bugle calling to charge! 风在掌号。冲锋号！ 来自汉英文学 - 散文英译

9 accomplishments   

n.造诣；完成( accomplishment的名词复数 )；技能；成绩；成就

参考例句：

• It was one of the President's greatest accomplishments. 那是总统最伟大的成就之一。
• Among her accomplishments were sewing,cooking,playing the piano and dancing. 她的才能包括缝纫、烹调、弹钢琴和跳舞。 来自《现代英汉综合大词典》

10 jeered   

v.嘲笑( jeer的过去式和过去分词 )

参考例句：

• The police were jeered at by the waiting crowd. 警察受到在等待的人群的嘲弄。
• The crowd jeered when the boxer was knocked down. 当那个拳击手被打倒时，人们开始嘲笑他。 来自《简明英汉词典》

11 gale   

n.大风，强风，一阵闹声（尤指笑声等）

参考例句：

• We got our roof blown off in the gale last night.昨夜的大风把我们的房顶给掀掉了。
• According to the weather forecast,there will be a gale tomorrow.据气象台预报，明天有大风。

12 noted   

adj.著名的，知名的

参考例句：

• The local hotel is noted for its good table.当地的那家酒店以餐食精美而著称。
• Jim is noted for arriving late for work.吉姆上班迟到出了名。

13 rhetoric   

n.修辞学，浮夸之言语

参考例句：

• Do you know something about rhetoric?你懂点修辞学吗？
• Behind all the rhetoric,his relations with the army are dangerously poised.在冠冕堂皇的言辞背后，他和军队的关系岌岌可危。

14 endorse   

vt.(支票、汇票等)背书，背署；批注；同意

参考例句：

• No one is foolish enough to endorse it.没有哪个人会傻得赞成它。
• I fully endorse your opinions on this subject.我完全拥护你对此课题的主张。

15 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。

16 logic   

n.逻辑(学)；逻辑性

参考例句：

• What sort of logic is that?这是什么逻辑？
• I don't follow the logic of your argument.我不明白你的论点逻辑性何在。