VOA标准英语2012--'Identity Politics' Play a Role in US Elections

 

'Identity Politics' Play a Role in US Elections

While many voters would say they cast their ballots¹ on the basis of where the candidates stand on key issues, some of them are swayed by a candidate’s color…or ethnicity…or other factors. And that's called "Identity Politics."

"When people vote, they like to vote for people [who are] like them. Someone who has the same race, someone who has the same sex, someone who has the same religion, or someone who has the same political views," says Mark Rom of Georgetown University. 

Rom and other analysts² say that before the 2008 South Carolina primary, presidential candidate Hillary Clinton had some support from African American voters. Then, her husband, former President Bill Clinton, compared then-Senator Barack Obama’s bid to that of another, earlier black candidate.

"Jesse Jackson won South Carolina twice in 1984 and 1988, and he ran a good campaign," Clinton said. "And, Senator Obama has run a good campaign here."

Analysts say that remark polarized black voters because it was seen as diminishing. That sent them overwhelmingly into Obama’s camp. And, in 2012, that support is expected to be equally strong.

While race and ethnicity are traditional elements of identity politics, the term encompasses³ far more. 

Religion has been an identity factor in America since the early days of the country. In the 20th century, Roman Catholicism was an issue for 1928 Democratic presidential candidate Al Smith, and 1960 Democratic candidate John F. Kennedy. In 2008, and again in 2012, the Mormon faith of Republican candidate Mitt⁴ Romney has been polarizing to some voters.

There is also ideology⁵, as noted⁶ by Rothenberg Political Report's Nathan Gonzales:

"I think that when it comes to the Republican party, the biggest 'Identity Politics' identifier is 'Conservative.' "Who is conservative? Who is the most conservative? Who is the purest conservative?"

To one political scientist, identity politics will continue so long as people are regarded and treated according to their skin color and other involuntary factors.

"There is no such thing as being in a post-racial era unless we can get rid of the inequalities and inequities that we see in American society along the lines of race, ethnicity, and gender," says Darryl Harris of Howard University. 

Identity politics is not an exclusively American phenomenon. It influences political decisions in countries worldwide - in some places, such as the former Yugoslavia, Rwanda, and Sudan, to the point of bloodshed. 

1 ballots   

n.投票表决( ballot的名词复数 )；选举；选票；投票总数v.（使）投票表决( ballot的第三人称单数 )

参考例句：

• They're counting the ballots. 他们正在计算选票。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• The news of rigged ballots has rubbed off much of the shine of their election victory. 他们操纵选票的消息使他们在选举中获得的胜利大为减色。 来自《简明英汉词典》

2 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。

3 encompasses   

v.围绕( encompass的第三人称单数 )；包围；包含；包括

参考例句：

• The job encompasses a wide range of responsibilities. 这项工作涉及的职责范围很广。
• Its conservation law encompasses both its magnitude and its direction. 它的守恒定律包括大小和方向两方面。 来自辞典例句

4 mitt   

n.棒球手套，拳击手套，无指手套；vt.铐住，握手

参考例句：

• I gave him a baseball mitt for his birthday.为祝贺他的生日，我送给他一只棒球手套。
• Tom squeezed a mitt and a glove into the bag.汤姆把棒球手套和手套都塞进袋子里。

5 ideology   

n.意识形态，(政治或社会的)思想意识

参考例句：

• The ideology has great influence in the world.这种思想体系在世界上有很大的影响。
• The ideal is to strike a medium between ideology and inspiration.我的理想是在意识思想和灵感鼓动之间找到一个折衷。

6 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。