VOA标准英语2008年-Clinton Endorses Obama, Calls for Party Unity

Senator Hillary Clinton has urged millions of voters who supported her in the primaries to back presidential candidate Barack Obama. In a speech at the Democratic National Convention, Clinton called for party unity¹ and said her one-time rival must be elected president. VOA Correspondent Meredith Buel has details from the convention site in Denver, Colorado.
　
Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton addresses Democratic National Convention in Denver, 26 Aug 2008

Clinton received an enthusiastic standing² ovation³ at the convention, where not long ago it was widely expected that she would be anointed as the Democratic Party's choice for president.

But in a marathon and sometimes hostile primary campaign she lost to Barack Obama.

Clinton told her supporters they must now back Obama because the party does not have a moment to lose or a vote to spare.

"Whether you voted for me, or you voted for Barack, the time is now to unite as a single party with a single purpose," she said. "We are on the same team and none of us can afford to sit on the sidelines."

Clinton's ability to deliver her supporters, many of whom are still angry over the fierce battle for the nomination⁴, could spell the difference between victory and defeat for Obama.

Polls show that a significant percentage of Clinton supporters say they intend to vote for Republican candidate John McCain in the November general election.

A straightforward⁵ endorsement⁶ of Obama by Clinton was considered critical to his campaign, and she delivered that Tuesday night, saying "Barack Obama is my candidate and he must be our president."

Clinton criticized McCain, saying his election would lead to more war and less diplomacy⁷.

"We know that President Obama will end the war in Iraq responsibly, bring our troops home and begin to repair our alliances around the world," she said.

Former Virginia Governor Mark Warner gave the keynote address to the convention Tuesday night, saying McCain will follow the same economic and foreign policies as the Bush administration.

"This race is all about the future," he said. "That is why we must elect Barack Obama as our next president. Because the race for the future will be won when old partisanship⁸ gives way to new ideas. When we put solutions over stalemate and when hope replaces fear."

Wednesday's speeches at the convention will focus on national security and foreign policy.

They will showcase Obama's pick for vice⁹ president, Delaware Senator Joe Biden.

Obama is scheduled to address the convention on Thursday, when he accepts the Democratic Party's nomination.

 

1 unity   

n.团结，联合，统一；和睦，协调

参考例句：

• When we speak of unity,we do not mean unprincipled peace.所谓团结，并非一团和气。
• We must strengthen our unity in the face of powerful enemies.大敌当前，我们必须加强团结。

2 standing   

n.持续，地位；adj.永久的，不动的，直立的，不流动的

参考例句：

• After the earthquake only a few houses were left standing.地震过后只有几幢房屋还立着。
• They're standing out against any change in the law.他们坚决反对对法律做任何修改。

3 ovation   

n.欢呼，热烈欢迎，热烈鼓掌

参考例句：

• The hero received a great ovation from the crowd. 那位英雄受到人群的热烈欢迎。
• The show won a standing ovation. 这场演出赢得全场起立鼓掌。

4 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。

5 straightforward   

adj.正直的，坦率的；易懂的，简单的

参考例句：

• A straightforward talk is better than a flowery speech.巧言不如直说。
• I must insist on your giving me a straightforward answer.我一定要你给我一个直截了当的回答。

6 endorsement   

n.背书；赞成，认可，担保；签(注)，批注

参考例句：

• We are happy to give the product our full endorsement.我们很高兴给予该产品完全的认可。
• His presidential campaign won endorsement from several celebrities.他参加总统竞选得到一些社会名流的支持。

7 diplomacy   

n.外交；外交手腕，交际手腕

参考例句：

• The talks have now gone into a stage of quiet diplomacy.会谈现在已经进入了“温和外交”阶段。
• This was done through the skill in diplomacy. 这是通过外交手腕才做到的。

8 Partisanship   

n. 党派性, 党派偏见

参考例句：

• Her violent partisanship was fighting Soames's battle. 她的激烈偏袒等于替索米斯卖气力。
• There was a link of understanding between them, more important than affection or partisanship. ' 比起人间的感情，比起相同的政见，这一点都来得格外重要。 来自英汉文学

9 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。