VOA标准英语2010年-Surveys Suggest Political Trouble for

As U.S. voters prepare to go to the polls in eight weeks to elect a new Congress, two new public opinion surveys contain encouraging news for opposition¹ Republicans and warning signs for Democrats² and President Barack Obama.

The new opinion surveys paint a challenging picture for Democrats trying to hold their majorities in the Senate and the House of Representatives.

In the latest NBC News/Wall Street Journal poll, only 39 percent of respondents approved of President Obama's handling of the economy.  Sixty-one percent said they believe the country is on the wrong track and 49 percent of likely voters preferred Republican control of Congress compared with 40 percent who favored the Democrats.

Similar results came in a Washington Post/ABC News poll where Mr. Obama's public approval rating dropped to 46 percent - a new low for that survey.

Republicans have almost pulled even with Democrats in the Post/ABC poll on the question of which party Americans trust to handle the country's biggest problems.  Republicans have not done that well on that question in more than four years.

The uncertain state of the national economy is driving the dismal³ poll results for the president and Democrats in Congress, despite Mr. Obama's efforts to convince voters that there are signs of recovery.

Presidential Spokesman Robert Gibbs talked about the issue with reporters at the White House.  "There is and continues to be great frustration⁵ with where we are in this economy.  Among those frustrated⁶ is the President of the United States.  I will be honest with you, I think the American people are not concerned with the president's poll numbers.  I think the American people are concerned about whether or not they have a job."

Political experts said the Republicans are on track to make significant gains in Congress in November, especially in the House, where Democrats hold a 39-seat advantage.  A growing number of analysts⁷ expect the Republicans to win enough seats to retake control of the House, and that they might have a chance of winning the 10 additional seats they need to reclaim⁸ a majority in the Senate.

Some top Republicans, though, are being cautious, aware of surveys that show voters disapproving⁹ of Democrats, but not necessarily embracing Republicans.

Arizona Senator John McCain, who is running for re-election this year, spoke⁴ on the Fox News Sunday television program.  "When you look at the approval ratings of Republicans, they are just as bad as Democrats.  We have got to give them a reason to vote for us."

The latest survey results give Republicans a huge advantage among likely voters - the latest indication that conservatives are enthusiastic about the November elections.

Gerard Alexander is a political scientist at the University of Virginia.  "And many things can happen between now and November," said Alexander.  "But it is true that there is a sense of broad energy among Republicans generally, and conservatives in particular, and a broad mood of apathy¹⁰ and reduced engagement among many progressives and liberals."

President Obama and Democrats are focused on generating enthusiasm among their core voters during the next several weeks in the hope of blunting the Republican wave that appears to be building.
 

1 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。

2 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》

3 dismal   

adj.阴沉的，凄凉的，令人忧郁的，差劲的

参考例句：

• That is a rather dismal melody.那是一支相当忧郁的歌曲。
• My prospects of returning to a suitable job are dismal.我重新找到一个合适的工作岗位的希望很渺茫。

4 spoke   

n.（车轮的）辐条；轮辐；破坏某人的计划；阻挠某人的行动 v.讲，谈（speak的过去式）；说；演说；从某种观点来说

参考例句：

• They sourced the spoke nuts from our company.他们的轮辐螺帽是从我们公司获得的。
• The spokes of a wheel are the bars that connect the outer ring to the centre.辐条是轮子上连接外圈与中心的条棒。

5 frustration   

n.挫折，失败，失效，落空

参考例句：

• He had to fight back tears of frustration.他不得不强忍住失意的泪水。
• He beat his hands on the steering wheel in frustration.他沮丧地用手打了几下方向盘。

6 frustrated   

adj.挫败的，失意的，泄气的v.使不成功( frustrate的过去式和过去分词 )；挫败；使受挫折；令人沮丧

参考例句：

• It's very easy to get frustrated in this job. 这个工作很容易令人懊恼。
• The bad weather frustrated all our hopes of going out. 恶劣的天气破坏了我们出行的愿望。 来自《简明英汉词典》

7 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。

8 reclaim   

v.要求归还，收回；开垦

参考例句：

• I have tried to reclaim my money without success.我没能把钱取回来。
• You must present this ticket when you reclaim your luggage.当你要取回行李时，必须出示这张票子。

9 disapproving   

adj.不满的，反对的v.不赞成( disapprove的现在分词 )

参考例句：

• Mother gave me a disapproving look. 母亲的眼神告诉我她是不赞成的。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• Her father threw a disapproving glance at her. 她父亲不满地瞥了她一眼。 来自《简明英汉词典》

10 apathy   

n.漠不关心，无动于衷；冷淡

参考例句：

• He was sunk in apathy after his failure.他失败后心恢意冷。
• She heard the story with apathy.她听了这个故事无动于衷。