2007年VOA标准英语-Bush Says Iraq Pullout Would Threaten America

By Scott Stearns
White House
19 April 2007

President Bush says pulling U.S. troops out of Iraq prematurely¹ would put Americans at greater risk of another terrorist attack. VOA White House Correspondent Scott Stearns reports, opposition² Democrats³ have approved legislation that includes a timetable for a troop withdrawal⁴ because they say that would make the Iraqi government more accountable for its own security.

U.S. President Bush speaks at Tippecanoe High School gymnasium in Tipp City, Ohio, 19 Apr 2007

President Bush took his standoff with Congress to America's Midwest Thursday in a question-and-answer session dominated by the war in Iraq.

He told people at an Ohio high school that legislation passed by the Democrats-controlled House and Senate is a mistake because imposing⁵ a timeline for troop withdrawal limits the options of military commanders on the ground.

Mr. Bush says leaving Iraq before the government there can handle its own security would embolden⁶ radicals⁷ and extremists by confirming what he says is their sense that the United States is incapable⁸ of long-term commitments.

"It would confirm their commitment that they think we are soft," he said. "Let me put it to you that way. That's what they think. It doesn't necessarily mean that the United States has to kind of muscle-up for the sake of muscling-up, that's not what I am trying to say."

"But I do believe it is risky⁹ to have an enemy that has attacked us before to not take the United States seriously for the long run," he added.

The president again sought to more directly connect the war in Iraq with security at home, saying leaving prematurely would result in violence spilling beyond Baghdad and beyond Iraq's borders to threaten Americans.

The president says he will veto any legislation that has a timetable for troop withdrawal. The Senate and House measures passed by close votes, making it highly unlikely Democrats can find the two-thirds majority needed to over-ride the promised veto.

Mr. Bush met with Democratic leaders at the White House Wednesday to discuss the standoff.

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Rep. Harry Reid (16 Feb 2007)

Following those talks, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid said Democrats will not back down on their demands for a troop withdrawal.

"We are in a position where we believe we are doing the right thing for the people of this country, a majority of the Congress, and the military," he said.

A public opinion poll by the newspaper USA Today says 57 percent of Americans favor a timetable for troop withdrawal.

Democrats say President Bush is trying to politicize the issue by accusing them of not supporting the troops. They say their legislation gives the president all the money he is asking for.

President Bush says Democrats are trying to score political points. He wants them to send him their bill as soon as possible so he can veto it and get legislators back to work on a spending bill without a deadline for U.S. withdrawal from Iraq.

1 prematurely   

adv.过早地，贸然地

参考例句：

• She was born prematurely with poorly developed lungs. 她早产，肺部未发育健全。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• His hair was prematurely white, but his busy eyebrows were still jet-black. 他的头发已经白了，不过两道浓眉还是乌黑乌黑的。 来自辞典例句

2 opposition   

n.反对，敌对

参考例句：

• The party leader is facing opposition in his own backyard.该党领袖在自己的党內遇到了反对。
• The police tried to break down the prisoner's opposition.警察设法制住了那个囚犯的反抗。

3 democrats   

n.民主主义者，民主人士( democrat的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• The Democrats held a pep rally on Capitol Hill yesterday. 民主党昨天在国会山召开了竞选誓师大会。
• The democrats organize a filibuster in the senate. 民主党党员组织了阻挠议事。 来自《简明英汉词典》

4 withdrawal   

n.取回，提款；撤退，撤军；收回，撤销

参考例句：

• The police were forced to make a tactical withdrawal.警方被迫进行战术撤退。
• They insisted upon a withdrawal of the statement and a public apology.他们坚持要收回那些话并公开道歉。

5 imposing   

adj.使人难忘的，壮丽的，堂皇的，雄伟的

参考例句：

• The fortress is an imposing building.这座城堡是一座宏伟的建筑。
• He has lost his imposing appearance.他已失去堂堂仪表。

6 embolden   

v.给…壮胆，鼓励

参考例句：

• Emboldened by the wine,he went over to introduce himself to her.他借酒壮胆，走上前去向她作自我介绍。
• The Prime Minister was steadily emboldened by the discovery that he faced no opposition.发现自己并未遭到反对，首相渐渐有了信心。

7 radicals   

n.激进分子( radical的名词复数 )；根基；基本原理；[数学]根数

参考例句：

• Some militant leaders want to merge with white radicals. 一些好斗的领导人要和白人中的激进派联合。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• The worry is that the radicals will grow more intransigent. 现在人们担忧激进分子会变得更加不妥协。 来自辞典例句

8 incapable   

adj.无能力的，不能做某事的

参考例句：

• He would be incapable of committing such a cruel deed.他不会做出这么残忍的事。
• Computers are incapable of creative thought.计算机不会创造性地思维。

9 risky   

adj.有风险的，冒险的

参考例句：

• It may be risky but we will chance it anyhow.这可能有危险，但我们无论如何要冒一冒险。
• He is well aware how risky this investment is.他心里对这项投资的风险十分清楚。

10 harry   

vt.掠夺，蹂躏，使苦恼

参考例句：

• Today,people feel more hurried and harried.今天，人们感到更加忙碌和苦恼。
• Obama harried business by Healthcare Reform plan.奥巴马用医改掠夺了商界。