IN THE NEWS - First Presidential Debate

IN THE NEWS - First Presidential Debate
By Cynthia Kirk

Broadcast: Saturday, October 02, 2004

This is Steve Ember with In the News in VOA Special English.

President Bush and Democratic party presidential candidate John Kerry held their first presidential debate Thursday night at the University of Miami in Florida. It is the first of three debates they will hold before the American presidential election on November second. More than fifty-million Americans watched the debate on television. Both men answered questions from a reporter.

 
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The main issues of the debate were national security, the war in Iraq and terrorism. These issues are among the top concerns of voters in this election. The candidates explained their positions on these issues and told why they can do a better job.

Senator Kerry said the president has failed to tell the truth to the American public about Iraq. He said although Mister Bush says the situation is improving there, attacks against Iraqis and American forces continue to increase. The senator also noted² that American intelligence says the violence there will likely continue or it could even become a civil war.

Senator Kerry said "America is safest and strongest when we are leading the world and when we are leading strong alliances." He also said he has a better plan for homeland security. And he said he has a better plan for fighting the war on terror by strengthening the American military and American intelligence.

President Bush said Iraq is the central front in the fight against terrorism. He said the war on terror and the war in Iraq are linked. He said it was right to oust³ Saddam Hussein from Iraq because it has made America safer. He criticized Mister Kerry for calling the war in Iraq "the wrong war in the wrong place at the wrong time." He said Mister Kerry keeps changing his positions on important national security issues such as the Iraq war and terrorism.

President Bush said "the enemy understands a free Iraq will be a major defeat in their ideology⁴ of hatred⁵." He said "if we remain strong we will defeat this enemy."

Historically, televised debates have often had an effect on presidential elections, especially close elections.

 
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Three major opinion studies said most of the people questioned said Senator Kerry did better than President Bush in the debate. Opinion studies suggest there are fewer undecided voters in this year's election than in recent times. But political experts say undecided voters will be the main target for both candidates during the three presidential debates.

President Bush and Senator Kerry will hold a second debate in Saint Louis, Missouri on October eighth. The last presidential debate will be in Tempe, Arizona on October thirteenth. The vice⁶ presidential candidates, Vice President Dick Cheney and Senator John Edwards, will debate on October fifth in Cleveland, Ohio.

In the News, in VOA Special English, was written by Cynthia Kirk. This is Steve Ember.

1 graphic   

adj.生动的，形象的，绘画的，文字的，图表的

参考例句：

• The book gave a graphic description of the war.这本书生动地描述了战争的情况。
• Distinguish important text items in lists with graphic icons.用图标来区分重要的文本项。

2 noted   

adj.著名的，知名的

参考例句：

• The local hotel is noted for its good table.当地的那家酒店以餐食精美而著称。
• Jim is noted for arriving late for work.吉姆上班迟到出了名。

3 oust   

vt.剥夺，取代，驱逐

参考例句：

• The committee wanted to oust him from the union.委员会想把他从工会中驱逐出去。
• The leaders have been ousted from power by nationalists.这些领导人被民族主义者赶下了台。

4 ideology   

n.意识形态，(政治或社会的)思想意识

参考例句：

• The ideology has great influence in the world.这种思想体系在世界上有很大的影响。
• The ideal is to strike a medium between ideology and inspiration.我的理想是在意识思想和灵感鼓动之间找到一个折衷。

5 hatred   

n.憎恶，憎恨，仇恨

参考例句：

• He looked at me with hatred in his eyes.他以憎恨的眼光望着我。
• The old man was seized with burning hatred for the fascists.老人对法西斯主义者充满了仇恨。

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。