Breathing life into US politics
LAST week, US Senator John McCain of Arizona became the Republican Party nominee for the November US presidential election. He will face either US Senator Hillary Clinton of New York or US senator Barack Obama of Illinois. Both are still campaigning for the Democratic Party nomination. Here, 21st Century draws contrasts between the two Democratic Party candidates.
The wife of former US President Bill Clinton, Hillary is running on her vast experience as a lawyer, First Lady and US senator. "When there's a crisis and that phone rings at 3 am in the White House, there's no time for speeches or on-the-job training," she said last week. "You have to be ready to make a decision." Clinton has said her first priority as president would be to bring the US troops home from Iraq. She also plans to address the healthcare needs of America's poorest families.
Barack Obama has focused his attention in speeches and ads on issues that set him apart from other candidates. For instance, he often cites his long-time opposition to the Iraq war. He also promises to bring a new brand of politics to the US. "We want a new course for this country. We want new leadership in Washington. We want change in America," he said last week. "We believe that we rise or fall as one nation - as one people." Obama also promises to work closely with members of both major political parties.
What groups of Americans tend to favor each candidate?
Clinton
Many older Democrats, blue-collar workers and members of low-income families.
Obama
Many university students, African-Americans and highly-educated Democrats; polls also suggest that his message appeals to some Independents and Republicans.
What are their strengths and weaknesses?
Her strengths include her experience in government and her deep network of political associates. Her greatest weakness is perhaps that she's married to Bill Clinton, who has been a divisive figure in American politics.
His strengths include his gift for oratory and his inspirational message of unity and change. His greatest weakness is perhaps his inexperience: He has served less than four years in the US Senate.
What cultural effects do their campaigns have?
The Democratic Party will nominate either a woman or an African-American to run against McCain. These prospects have stimulated debate about the effects that racism and sexism might have on the election.
For instance, in a Washington Post story, Ali Gallagher, a white female from Texas, said: "A friend of mine, a black man, said to me, 'My ancestors came to this country in chains; I'm voting for Barack.' I told him, 'Well, my sisters came here in chains and on their periods; I'm voting for Hillary.'"
John McCain
US Senator John McCain will enter the general election as a man who has built a reputation for "straight-talking". His campaign bus is dubbed "The Straight-Talk Express", in which he invites journalists to talk freely with him about issues facing America. McCain prides himself on his honesty and willingness to listen to critics. "Americans aren't interested in an election where they are just talked to and not listened to," he said in a speech last week.
However, his continued support for the Iraq war has invited lots of criticism from Clinton and Obama. McCain also has plenty of critics within his own party, thanks to his record of siding with Democrats on several issues during the Bush presidency. For instance, McCain voted against the Bush tax cuts in 2001 and 2003.
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divisive 造成不和的
donate 捐赠
dub 起名字，起绰号
nominee 被提名的人
oratory 口才
period 月经期
racism 种族主义
sexism 性别歧视
side with 和(某人)抱同样的见解
Bonus
How to describe two rivals caught in a close competition
be on par
旗鼓相当
Our products are almost on par with the best foreign-made products.
我们的产品几乎与最好的外国货旗鼓相当。
in a nail-biter
处于紧张激烈的对决之中，鏖战正酣
The two teams are in a nail-biter. Neither has been able to take a commanding lead.
两支队伍正在紧张鏖战之中，谁也无法取得领先。
running neck-and-neck
齐头并进，平分秋色
The two are running neck-and-neck for class president. Who wins is anyone's guess.
两个人竞选班长的实力不相上下,大家都在猜最后谁会获胜.
关键字:英语国际新闻
生词表:
LAST week, US Senator John McCain of Arizona became the Republican Party nominee for the November US presidential election. He will face either US Senator Hillary Clinton of New York or US senator Barack Obama of Illinois. Both are still campaigning for the Democratic Party nomination. Here, 21st Century draws contrasts between the two Democratic Party candidates.
The wife of former US President Bill Clinton, Hillary is running on her vast experience as a lawyer, First Lady and US senator. "When there's a crisis and that phone rings at 3 am in the White House, there's no time for speeches or on-the-job training," she said last week. "You have to be ready to make a decision." Clinton has said her first priority as president would be to bring the US troops home from Iraq. She also plans to address the healthcare needs of America's poorest families.
Barack Obama has focused his attention in speeches and ads on issues that set him apart from other candidates. For instance, he often cites his long-time opposition to the Iraq war. He also promises to bring a new brand of politics to the US. "We want a new course for this country. We want new leadership in Washington. We want change in America," he said last week. "We believe that we rise or fall as one nation - as one people." Obama also promises to work closely with members of both major political parties.
What groups of Americans tend to favor each candidate?
Clinton
Many older Democrats, blue-collar workers and members of low-income families.
Obama
Many university students, African-Americans and highly-educated Democrats; polls also suggest that his message appeals to some Independents and Republicans.
What are their strengths and weaknesses?
Her strengths include her experience in government and her deep network of political associates. Her greatest weakness is perhaps that she's married to Bill Clinton, who has been a divisive figure in American politics.
His strengths include his gift for oratory and his inspirational message of unity and change. His greatest weakness is perhaps his inexperience: He has served less than four years in the US Senate.
What cultural effects do their campaigns have?
The Democratic Party will nominate either a woman or an African-American to run against McCain. These prospects have stimulated debate about the effects that racism and sexism might have on the election.
For instance, in a Washington Post story, Ali Gallagher, a white female from Texas, said: "A friend of mine, a black man, said to me, 'My ancestors came to this country in chains; I'm voting for Barack.' I told him, 'Well, my sisters came here in chains and on their periods; I'm voting for Hillary.'"
John McCain
US Senator John McCain will enter the general election as a man who has built a reputation for "straight-talking". His campaign bus is dubbed "The Straight-Talk Express", in which he invites journalists to talk freely with him about issues facing America. McCain prides himself on his honesty and willingness to listen to critics. "Americans aren't interested in an election where they are just talked to and not listened to," he said in a speech last week.
However, his continued support for the Iraq war has invited lots of criticism from Clinton and Obama. McCain also has plenty of critics within his own party, thanks to his record of siding with Democrats on several issues during the Bush presidency. For instance, McCain voted against the Bush tax cuts in 2001 and 2003.
---------------------------------------
divisive 造成不和的
donate 捐赠
dub 起名字，起绰号
nominee 被提名的人
oratory 口才
period 月经期
racism 种族主义
sexism 性别歧视
side with 和(某人)抱同样的见解
Bonus
How to describe two rivals caught in a close competition
be on par
旗鼓相当
Our products are almost on par with the best foreign-made products.
我们的产品几乎与最好的外国货旗鼓相当。
in a nail-biter
处于紧张激烈的对决之中，鏖战正酣
The two teams are in a nail-biter. Neither has been able to take a commanding lead.
两支队伍正在紧张鏖战之中，谁也无法取得领先。
running neck-and-neck
齐头并进，平分秋色
The two are running neck-and-neck for class president. Who wins is anyone's guess.
两个人竞选班长的实力不相上下,大家都在猜最后谁会获胜.
关键字:英语国际新闻
生词表:
- republican [ri´pʌblikən]
a.共和国的 n.共和论者 四级词汇 - network [´netwə:k] n.网状物 vt.联播 四级词汇
- oratory [´ɔrətəri] n.演讲(术)；修辞 六级词汇
- reputation [repju´teiʃən] n.名誉；名声；信誉 四级词汇
- willingness [´wiliŋnis] n.情愿，乐意，自愿 六级词汇
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