VOA慢速英语 2007 0407

This is IN THE NEWS in VOA Special English.

The next presidential election in the United States is in November, two thousand eight.  Yet several presidential candidates have raised large amounts of money already. Experts say the competition among the candidates to raise money has become the first important test of the campaign. 
Senator Barack Obama

Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama announced this week that his campaign has raised twenty-five million dollars over the past three months.

More than one hundred thousand people have given money to the senator from Illinois for his campaign. Thousands of people made donations of twenty-five or fifty dollars. Almost seven million dollars was raised on the Internet. 

Senator Obama has raised only slightly less money than Senator Hillary Clinton of New York.  She has received twenty-six million dollars in campaign donations.  The former first lady's donations came from fifty thousand people.  Senator Clinton has so far raised more money than any other presidential candidate. 

 
Senator Hillary Clinton
Public opinion studies show Senator Clinton has more support than the other Democratic candidates.  However, experts say the amount of money Senator Obama has raised shows that he is a major candidate.

Mister Obama is second among the Democratic candidates in public opinion studies. Former North Carolina Senator John Edwards is in third place. Mister Edwards' campaign reported raising fourteen million dollars so far. 

This is the second time Mister Edwards has run for the Democratic nomination¹ for president.  He and his wife, Elizabeth, have been the subjects of many news reports recently.  This is because they announced that that they will continue campaigning even though Elizabeth Edwards' cancer has returned.

 
Mitt² Romney
Among Republican Party candidates, former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney has raised twenty-three million dollars. Thirty-three thousand people have donated to Mister Romney's campaign. This is more money than any other Republican candidate. 

This was a surprise to many people because Mister Romney is in third place among Republican candidates in most public opinion studies. Former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani and Arizona Senator John McCain are in first and second place. Mister Giuliani has raised fifteen million dollars so far this year. Mister McCain has raised twelve and one-half million dollars.

Never in American history has so much money been raised this early in a presidential election. Many states are holding their nominating party meetings and primary elections earlier in two thousand eight.  This will force candidates to spend more money earlier on advertising³ and campaign workers.

Experts also note that the Democratic presidential candidates have raised much more money than the Republicans.  Historically, the Republican candidates have raised the most money. 

And that's IN THE NEWS, in VOA Special English, written by Brianna Blake.  I’m Steve Ember.

1 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。

2 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。

3 advertising   

n.广告业；广告活动 a.广告的；广告业务的

参考例句：

• Can you give me any advice on getting into advertising? 你能指点我如何涉足广告业吗?
• The advertising campaign is aimed primarily at young people. 这个广告宣传运动主要是针对年轻人的。