The faltering U.S. economy and the loss of manufacturing jobs in the Midwestern U.S. state of Ohio are dominating the presidential election contest there, and that could spell trouble for Republican candidate John McCain. McCain needs to win the Ohio vote to have any hope of becoming the next president. Analysts are keeping a close eye on the state, which has gone for the winner in the last 11 presidential elections. Experts say social issues have helped swing the state to the Republican side in the last two elections. Economic issues are on the minds of Ohio voters this year, and that could help Democratic candidate Barack Obama.
美国经济的衰退、大规模生产厂家裁员的问题成了中西部的俄亥俄州总统大选的主导议题，而这可能成为笼罩在共和党总统侯选人麦凯恩头上的魔咒。麦凯恩要赢得俄亥俄州才有可能得到成为下届总统的最基本的希望。分析人士都密切注视这个州的动向，因为在过去11次大选中赢得俄亥俄州的候选人最后都获胜。专家认为，社会议题在上两次大选中帮助这个州的选民倒向了共和党。今年俄亥俄州选民的关注点在经济议题上，这可能给民主党候选人奥巴马带来帮助。
Ron Davis started his career as a steelworker in Ohio 29 years ago. Davis, who is president of the local branch of the United Steel Workers Union, just learned that 350 people who work in his plant's remaining building are going to be laid off.
戴维斯作为一名俄亥俄州的钢铁工人已经有29年的时间了。他是钢铁工人联合工会在当地分部的工会主席。戴维斯刚刚了解到在他所在的工厂所剩的车间中，有350名工人将被辞退。
"I've got family and friends that are working in there, people that I've known for many years," said Ron Davis. "And their future's the one I'm worried about."
戴维斯：“我有亲戚和朋友在这家工厂工作， 也有很多相处多年的同事。他们的前途是我担心的事情。”
That worry is translating into action at the local Union hall where members who usually support Republicans are campaigning for Democratic candidates.
这种担心在当地工会的会厅里逐渐变成了人们的行动，那里的工会会员通常支持共和党，现在帮助民主党候选人竞选。
Ron Davis says that this year, things are different.
戴维斯说，今年情况不一样了。
"This year, the scales are tipped," he said. "And I think you're going to see a lot of Republicans voting for Obama this year."
“今年，天平的重心变了。你会看到很多共和党人今年将投奥巴马的票。”
Presidential elections are usually hard-fought battles in Ohio, and public opinion polls show that the race between Republican John McCain and Democrat Barack Obama is close.
总统选举在俄亥俄州通常是一块艰难的必争之地，民意调查显示，共和党的麦凯恩和民主党的奥巴马的选情十分接近。
Rural central Ohio often goes Republican. Most of the big cities - Cleveland in the northeast, Columbus in the middle - lately have supported Democrats. So do industrial towns, such as Youngstown in the northeast.
俄亥俄中部的乡村地区通常是共和党的地盘，而多数大城市，比如东北部的克里夫兰，中部的哥伦布最近都支持了民主党。工业城市也是如此，例如东北部的扬斯敦。
During his campaign visits to the state, Senator Obama has focused on the economic crisis he says is the worst since the Great Depression of the 1930s.
奥巴马参议员在他竞选行程中来到了俄亥俄，他集中探讨了紧急危机的议题。他说，这次危机是1930年以来最严重的一次。
"I don't have to tell you, Ohio, 760,000 workers have lost their jobs so far this year," said Barack Obama.
“我不必说，你们也知道，今年俄亥俄州有76万工人已经失去了工作。”
Senator McCain has tried to counter that message, warning Ohio voters that Obama would increase their taxes.
麦凯恩参议员试图改变焦点，警告俄亥俄州的选民说，奥巴马将会增加他们的税收。
"He believes in redistributing the wealth not in policies that grow our economy and create jobs and opportunities for all Americans," said John McCain.
“他相信财富的再分配，而不是增长经济、为所有美国人增加工作机会的政策。”
Around the city of Youngstown, many manufacturing jobs have been lost. An aluminum plant on the outskirts of the city closed last year. Although Democrats are running strong here, retired union leader, Mike Rubicz, says many voters feel conflicted.
在扬斯敦周围的一些大型工厂，很多工作机会都没有了。这个城市近郊的一家铝厂去年倒闭 。虽然民主党在这里声势浩大，退休工会负责人鲁比茨说，很多选民感到困惑。
"Because on one hand, there's a concern about Obama in terms of his experience and the fact that he's a black man and, at the same time, they don't see that McCain really has a program to help them," said Mike Rubicz.
“因为一方面，人们关心的是奥巴马的资历，以及他是黑人这一事实，同时，选民们又没有看到麦凯恩真正拿出一个计划来帮助他们。”
Although Democrats appear to be using the faltering economy to their advantage, Youngstown Republicans like McCain volunteer Tracey Winbush say they are making headway.
虽然民主党人显然在用经济衰退的议题为自己竞选，但是扬斯敦的共和党人、麦凯恩竞选义工温布什说他们已经开始了助选活动。
"It's the economy," said Tracey Winbush. "It is social issues."
温布什说：“那是经济议题，那是社会议题。”
"We pray for the president," said Chuck Michaelis. "We pray for the vice president."
Chuck Michaelis leads a Wednesday evening prayer group. Religion is a powerful political motivator in Ohio, especially among abortion opponents like Kevin Dill.
"I probably lean more towards the Republican side," said Kevin Dill. "But I would say that's mainly because I have been more impressed with Sarah Palin."
Despite the efforts of John McCain and his vice presidential running mate, Alaska Governor Sarah Palin, many Democrats say they will vote for Barack Obama and his running mate Senator Joe Biden.
尽管麦凯恩和他的竞选夥伴、阿拉斯加州州长佩林十分努力，但是很多民主党人说，他们要投奥巴马和他的副手拜登参议员的票。
And while many social conservatives favor John McCain, some, like Diana Anderson, are reconsidering.
很多社会保守人士喜欢麦凯恩，但与此同时，一些人也在重新考虑，就像这位安德森女士。
"Ya, I had to relook at things and study harder and I'm back to where I'm definitely going to vote for Obama," said Diana Anderson.
她说：“是呀，有一些问题我还要思考，进一步研究。我回到我当初的想法，一定把选票投给奥巴马。”
Opinion polls show the race between McCain and Obama is still too close to call, as Ohio's wrenching economic transformation will play a key role in the election. Both candidates are counting on victory in Ohio to give them the edge in the state-by-state battle to win the 270 electoral votes necessary to claim the White House.
民意调查显示，麦凯恩和奥巴马之间的支持率太过接近，难分胜负。此时，俄亥俄州痛苦的经济转型将成为选举的一个关键角色。双方候选人都把赢得俄亥俄作为一个契机，以便在各州赢得入主白宫总共所需的最基本的270张选举人票。 |