VOA常速英语2008年-Clinton, Obama Focus on Texas, Ohio Primaries

By Jim Malone
Washington
27 February 2008

Democratic presidential rivals Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton are making a final push for support in Ohio and Texas in advance of crucial primaries on 4 March. The two Democrats¹ took part in a contentious² debate Tuesday, 26 February, that most experts rated a draw. VOA National correspondent Jim Malone reports on the U.S. presidential race from Washington.

In their latest debate, Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton argued over health care, the costs and benefits of trade agreements and the war in Iraq.

Clinton was aggressive in criticizing Obama for some of his campaign tactics and in questioning some of his views on foreign policy.

Obama countered that Clinton has used some questionable³ campaign tactics of her own.

He also reminded the audience in Cleveland, Ohio, that Clinton initially⁴ supported President Bush's request to Congress in 2002 for the use of force against Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein.

"This was a big strategic blunder," said Obama. "Once we had 'driven the bus into the ditch,' there were only so many ways we could get out. The question is, who is making the decision initially to drive the bus into the ditch?"

Clinton said she would not vote the same way on Iraq now.

Obama opposed the war during his successful campaign for a U.S. Senate seat in Illinois in 2004. But during Tuesday's debate, Clinton said Obama has not been consistent in his opposition⁵ to the war since he has been in the Senate.

"Many people gave speeches against the war then, and the fair comparison is that he did not have responsibility, he did not have to vote. By 2004, he was saying that he basically agreed with the way George Bush was conducting the war," said Clinton.

Clinton has lost 11 straight nomination⁶ contests to Obama since 5 February, and Clinton supporters were hoping for a knock out blow in the debate that would reverse his momentum⁷.

But most political experts rated the debate essentially⁸ a tie, with neither candidate gaining a clear advantage.

Earl Black is a political science professor at Rice University in Texas. "I thought the debate was pretty much of a draw," said Black. "This is one where Hillary Clinton needed a much more decisive victory than I think she was able to gain."

Clinton is counting on victories in Texas and Ohio on 4 March to cut into Obama's lead in the delegate total. The Associated Press estimates Obama has won nearly 1,400 delegates, while Clinton has won about 1,300.  The Democratic nomination requires 2,025 total.

Republican contender John McCain has also been campaigning in Ohio and Texas in advance of Tuesday's primaries. McCain is hoping that convincing victories on 4 March will force his main remaining challenger, former Arkansas governor Mike Huckabee, to quit the race.

But McCain was on the defensive⁹ after one of his supporters made some controversial remarks at a campaign rally Cincinnati, Ohio.

Conservative radio talk show host Bill Cunningham repeatedly used Barack Obama's middle name as he criticized the news media for being soft on Obama compared to its treatment of President Bush and the Republicans.

"The media, at some point, is going to peel the bark off of Barack Hussein Obama," said Cunningham. "The media will quit taking sides in this thing and maybe start covering Barack Hussein Obama the same way they covered Bush."

Obama's middle name comes from his father, who was from Kenya. The Obama campaign frequently points out that he was raised as a Christian¹⁰ to refute persistent¹¹ rumors¹² that he has a Muslim background.

McCain arrived at the rally after the comments were made and later apologized for the remarks made by Cunningham.

"I have repeatedly stated my respect for Senator Obama and Senator Clinton, and that I will treat them with respect," he said. "I regret any comments that may be made about these two individuals who are honorable Americans."

Cunningham said later he was angry at McCain for turning on him, and added that he would now support Hillary Clinton for president.

1 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》

2 contentious   

adj.好辩的，善争吵的

参考例句：

• She was really not of the contentious fighting sort.她委实不是好吵好闹的人。
• Since then they have tended to steer clear of contentious issues.从那时起，他们总想方设法避开有争议的问题。

3 questionable   

adj.可疑的，有问题的

参考例句：

• There are still a few questionable points in the case.这个案件还有几个疑点。
• Your argument is based on a set of questionable assumptions.你的论证建立在一套有问题的假设上。

4 initially   

adv.最初，开始

参考例句：

• The ban was initially opposed by the US.这一禁令首先遭到美国的反对。
• Feathers initially developed from insect scales.羽毛最初由昆虫的翅瓣演化而来。

5 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。

6 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。

7 momentum   

n.动力，冲力，势头；动量

参考例句：

• We exploit the energy and momentum conservation laws in this way.我们就是这样利用能量和动量守恒定律的。
• The law of momentum conservation could supplant Newton's third law.动量守恒定律可以取代牛顿第三定律。

8 essentially   

adv.本质上，实质上，基本上

参考例句：

• Really great men are essentially modest.真正的伟人大都很谦虚。
• She is an essentially selfish person.她本质上是个自私自利的人。

9 defensive   

adj.防御的；防卫的；防守的

参考例句：

• Their questions about the money put her on the defensive.他们问到钱的问题，使她警觉起来。
• The Government hastily organized defensive measures against the raids.政府急忙布置了防卫措施抵御空袭。

10 Christian   

adj.基督教徒的；n.基督教徒

参考例句：

• They always addressed each other by their Christian name.他们总是以教名互相称呼。
• His mother is a sincere Christian.他母亲是个虔诚的基督教徒。

11 persistent   

adj.坚持不懈的，执意的；持续的

参考例句：

• Albert had a persistent headache that lasted for three days.艾伯特连续头痛了三天。
• She felt embarrassed by his persistent attentions.他不时地向她大献殷勤，使她很难为情。

12 rumors   

n.传闻( rumor的名词复数 )；[古]名誉；咕哝；[古]喧嚷v.传闻( rumor的第三人称单数 )；[古]名誉；咕哝；[古]喧嚷

参考例句：

• Rumors have it that the school was burned down. 有谣言说学校给烧掉了。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• Rumors of a revolt were afloat. 叛变的谣言四起。 来自《简明英汉词典》