2007年VOA标准英语-Barack Obama Launches Campaign for White House

By Margaret Besheer
Washington
10 February 2007

U.S. Senator Barack Obama officially entered the 2008 presidential race Saturday, saying he wants to work to build a more hopeful America. The Illinois senator, who hopes to become the United States' first African-American president, made his announcement in Springfield, Illinois, where he began his elective career 10 years ago. From Washington, VOA's Margaret Besheer has more.

US Senator Barack Obama speaks to spectators after announcing his candidacy for president of the United States at the Old State Capitol in Springfield, Illinois

The senator announced his candidacy in front of the building where, in the 19th century, Abraham Lincoln also served as a state legislator before becoming one of the most important presidents in American history, seeing the country through civil war and the abolition¹ of slavery.

"And that is why, in the shadow of the Old State Capitol, where Lincoln once called on a house divided to stand together, where common hopes and common dreams still live, I stand before you today to announce my candidacy for President of the United States of America," he said.

Hundreds of supporters braved freezing cold temperatures to show their support for Obama, 45, who is one of the youngest candidates. Some political observers question whether he has enough political experience on the national stage to be president. He served eight years in the Illinois state legislature, but has been a U.S. senator for only two years.

"I recognize there is a certain presumptuousness² in this, a certain audacity³ to this announcement," he added.  "I know, I have not spent a lot of time learning the ways of Washington. But I've been there long enough to know that the ways of Washington must change."

The war in Iraq is certain to be one of the most important issues in the 2008 presidential race. Obama was not yet in the Senate when Congress voted to give President Bush the authority to go to war, but he gave a speech opposing the invasion in 2002, and says it is time to end U.S. involvement in Iraq.

"Most of you know I opposed this war from the start," he explained.  "I thought it was a tragic⁴ mistake. America it is time to start bringing our troops home. It is time to admit that no amount of American lives can resolve the political disagreement that lies at the heart of someone else's civil war. That is why I have a plan that will bring our combat troops home by March of 2008."

Obama is the son of a black man from Kenya and a white American woman from the Midwest state of Kansas. He was born in Hawaii, and went on to earn a law degree at Harvard.

Obama will face tough competition for the Democratic Party nomination⁵.  New York Senator and former first lady Hillary Clinton is currently leading the pack of Democratic Party hopefuls. Former Democratic Party vice⁶ presidential nominee⁷ John Edwards is just behind her in the polls, with Senator Obama in third place.

1 abolition   

n.废除，取消

参考例句：

• They declared for the abolition of slavery.他们声明赞成废除奴隶制度。
• The abolition of the monarchy was part of their price.废除君主制是他们的其中一部分条件。

2 presumptuousness   

n.自以为是，专横，冒失

参考例句：

• He despised them for their presumptuousness. 他蔑视他们的自以为是。 来自互联网

3 audacity   

n.大胆，卤莽，无礼

参考例句：

• He had the audacity to ask for an increase in salary.他竟然厚着脸皮要求增加薪水。
• He had the audacity to pick pockets in broad daylight.他竟敢在光天化日之下掏包。

4 tragic   

adj.悲剧的，悲剧性的，悲惨的

参考例句：

• The effect of the pollution on the beaches is absolutely tragic.污染海滩后果可悲。
• Charles was a man doomed to tragic issues.查理是个注定不得善终的人。

5 nomination   

n.提名，任命，提名权

参考例句：

• John is favourite to get the nomination for club president.约翰最有希望被提名为俱乐部主席。
• Few people pronounced for his nomination.很少人表示赞成他的提名。

6 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。

7 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。