Kerry Expected to Win Wisconsin Primary

Kerry Expected to Win Wisconsin Primary

Greg Flakus

Voters are going to the polls in the Midwestern state of Wisconsin in a primary contest that could represent the end of at least one candidacy for the Democratic presidential nomination¹.

Some of former Vermont Governor Howard Dean's aides and many analysts² say he is likely to either suspend his campaign or quit the race if he loses. On Monday, the chairman of his campaign, Steve Grossman, abruptly³ quit after telling The New York Times newspaper that he would support Massachusetts Senator John Kerry if Mr. Dean loses in Wisconsin.

Howard Dean, however, dismisses the idea that his campaign is in trouble and says he will continue regardless of the outcome here in Wisconsin.

Polls indicate Senator Kerry will continue his winning streak⁴ here. So far, he has won all but two of the contests. Opponents, however, note that he has gained less than a quarter of the delegates needed for nomination.

At a final Wisconsin rally in Milwaukee Monday, Senator Kerry focused his attacks on President Bush.

"We are not here just to mark the night before the primaries, the night before Wisconsin has an opportunity to contribute to this decision, we are here tonight to mark the beginning of the end of the Bush presidency⁵."

But North Carolina Senator John Edwards also crisscrossed the state Monday and presented himself as the best candidate to take on the president in November.

"This is the guy who can beat George Bush every place in America - in the North, in the West, in the Midwest and in the South."

The last polls conducted before the vote showed Senator Kerry far ahead, with around 50 percent, while Senator Edwards and Governor Dean compete for second place. Two other candidates, Ohio Congressman⁶ Dennis Kucinich and the Reverend Al Sharpton remain much further behind.

Wisconsin has an open primary, which means Republicans and independents can also cast votes for the Democratic candidates. Since President Bush is already regarded as the nominee⁷ for the Republicans, some are expected to cross over and vote in the Democratic contest. A conservative radio show host has suggested that Republicans should vote for the candidate they think would be the weakest against President Bush, but observers say this is not likely to have a significant effect on the outcome of the contest.

 

注释：

poll [pEul] n. 选举之投票

Wisconsin [wis5kCnsin] n. 威斯康星州，美国中北部

candidacy [5kAndidEsi] n. 候选人的地位，候选资格

suspend [sEs5pend] v. 延缓

quit [kwit] v. 停止

abruptly [E5brQptli] adv. 突然地

New York Times  纽约时报

regardless of  不管，不顾

streak [stri:k] n. 一系列（连续不断的）输或赢

delegate [5deli^it] n. 代表，委员，特派员

rally [5rAli] n. 集会，大会

presidency [5prezidEnsi] n. （总统）任期

crisscross [5kriskrCs] vt. 巡回，交叉往来

nominee [nCmi5ni:] n. 被提名的人，被任命者

republican [ri5pQblikEn] n. 共和党人

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 analysts   

分析家，化验员( analyst的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• City analysts forecast huge profits this year. 伦敦金融分析家预测今年的利润非常丰厚。
• I was impressed by the high calibre of the researchers and analysts. 研究人员和分析人员的高素质给我留下了深刻印象。

3 abruptly   

adv.突然地，出其不意地

参考例句：

• He gestured abruptly for Virginia to get in the car.他粗鲁地示意弗吉尼亚上车。
• I was abruptly notified that a half-hour speech was expected of me.我突然被通知要讲半个小时的话。

4 streak   

n.条理，斑纹，倾向，少许，痕迹；v.加条纹，变成条纹，奔驰，快速移动

参考例句：

• The Indians used to streak their faces with paint.印第安人过去常用颜料在脸上涂条纹。
• Why did you streak the tree?你为什么在树上刻条纹？

5 presidency   

n.总统(校长，总经理)的职位(任期)

参考例句：

• Roosevelt was elected four times to the presidency of the United States.罗斯福连续当选四届美国总统。
• Two candidates are emerging as contestants for the presidency.两位候选人最终成为总统职位竞争者。

6 Congressman   

n.（美）国会议员

参考例句：

• He related several anecdotes about his first years as a congressman.他讲述自己初任议员那几年的几则轶事。
• The congressman is meditating a reply to his critics.这位国会议员正在考虑给他的批评者一个答复。

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。