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　　The U.S. presidential election is more than four months away. But the contest between Democrat¹ Barack Obama and Republican John McCain is already shaping up as a clear choice between change and experience.
离开美国总统大选还有四个多月。但是在民主党人奥巴马和共和党人麦凯恩之间的选战已初步成型，就是要在变革和经验之间作一抉择。
With the primary battles over, Barack Obama is focused now on his Republican opponent, John McCain, and the quest to become the first African-American president.
随着初选的结束，奥巴马如今把矛头集中指向他的共和党对手麦凯恩，争取成为第一位非洲裔美国人总统。
"There are independents and Republicans who understand that this election isn't just about the party in charge of Washington, it's about the need to change Washington," Obama said.
他说：“有些独立人士和共和党人明白，这次选举不仅是为了什么政党入主华盛顿，而是为了有必要改变华盛顿。”
Senator McCain, if he wins in November, would be the oldest first term president in history, but he hopes to emphasize his extensive experience in the military and in Congress.
如果麦凯恩参议员在11月取胜，他将是美国有史以来最年长的第一任总统。而麦凯恩希望强调的是自己在军中及国会内的广博经验。
"I admire and respect Senator Obama," McCain said, "but he does not have the knowledge, background or judgment² to lead this nation in these difficult and challenging times, and I do."
他说：“我赞赏并尊重奥巴马参议员。但是他并不具备在目前的艰难复杂时期领导这个国家的知识、背景经验或者判断力。而我却具备这一切。”
Obama heads into the election campaign with a slight lead in the polls. Voter worries should benefit Obama, says Thomas Mann of the Brookings Institution.
奥巴马展开竞选时，民调显示他略微领先麦凯恩。而民主党人与共和党人相比能量更为充沛。有专家说，选民对众多议题的关注对奥巴马有利。设在华盛顿的布鲁金斯学会的政治学者托马斯.曼说：
"Because of a very unpopular Republican president, a public that believes overwhelmingly that the country is off on the wrong track, deep concerns about the health of the economy and an unpopular war in Iraq," he said.
“由于一位非常不得人心的共和党总统，绝大部分公众都认为这个国家如今走错了方向，他们为经济景况以及失去民心的伊拉克战争深感忧虑。”
Polls also show Obama gaining, in some states, with white working-class voters. They preferred Hillary Clinton during the Democratic primaries.
民调也显示，在某些州奥巴马正逐步得到白人劳工阶层选民的支持。他们中许多人在民主党初选阶段都更拥护克林顿参议员。
Quinnipiac University pollster Clay Richards believes, "At this point, an awful lot of those working class voters see Senator Obama as the best candidate to turn the economy around, and that is the most important issue in their mind and overcomes their tendency to vote for the GOP [Republican] candidate in other races."
在康涅狄克州的琴尼派克大学的民调人员克莱.理查德说：“在目前阶段，有相当多的选民把奥巴马看作是扭转经济逆境的最佳人选。这是他们心目中最重要的问题，经济问题压倒了他们在其它竞选中选举共和党候选人的趋势。”
Senator McCain says he has an uphill climb to the White House.
鉴于总体的政治气氛，麦凯恩参议员承认他入主白宫的道路艰难。
He adds, "I know I have to out-campaign my opponent in every respect, and so I do not underestimate. I consider myself an underdog."
他说：“我明白我必须在每一方面都争取胜过我的对手，所以我不低估对方的力量，我认为自己是占下风的一方。”
McCain has a history of appealing to political moderates and that will make him competitive, says Thomas Mann.
然而麦凯恩向来在政治温和派中颇得人心。专家托马斯.曼说，这一点使他在大选中具有竞争力。
Mann says, "Because of his fascinating biography, his reputation for character and independence."
他说：“由于他引人入胜的个人经历，众所周知的性格和独立精神。”
McCain's status as a war hero could appeal to voters concerned about protecting the country from terrorism. That could give him an advantage over Obama.
麦凯恩的战斗英雄身份可能对关心保护国家不受恐怖分子侵害的选民很有吸引力。托马斯.曼说，这可能是他胜过奥巴马的有利因素。
"Some people have doubts about his qualifications as commander in chief," says Mann. "So, he has a hurdle³ to clear, a threshold to reach that he is trustworthy on matters pertaining⁴ to national security."
托马斯.曼说：“有些人对奥巴马担当统帅的资格抱有疑虑。所以奥巴马要扫除这个障碍，跨越这个门槛，要证实自己在国家安全事务上是值得信赖的。”
The economy, rising fuel prices, health care and Iraq are expected to be the major issues in the campaign. Americans will elect their next president on November 4.
预计，美国经济、飞涨的油价、健康保险和伊拉克等问题是竞选中的主要议题。美国人将在11月4号选举下届总统。