VOA标准英语2012--Iowa Voters Play Special Role in Presidential Politics

Iowa Voters Play Special Role in Presidential Politics

The 2012 U.S. presidential election process officially begins Tuesday, the Midwestern state of Iowa. Republican voters will gather in caucus¹ meetings across the state to vote for one of seven Republicans hoping to face President Barack Obama in the November election.

Just another quiet winter’s day in the small town of Atlantic, nestled among the picturesque² farms and rolling hills of western Iowa. That is until presidential candidate Newt Gingrich rolled into town.

By now, Gingrich is familiar with the Iowa candidate’s routine. Chat with voters, take their questions and ask for their support. “And that is why I always tell audiences that I am not going to ask you to be for me, I am going to ask you to be with me," he said.

Across town at a diner, Ben Nelson and his pals³ are digging into brunch⁴.

It is all part of those small town Iowa values, he says. “It is really small, but it is nice because you know everybody and always seem to have a lot of fun," he said.

Over eggs and toast, Michael Dunn and his co-workers are ready for the coming caucus. When it comes to picking presidents, he says Iowans are pretty straightforward⁵. “I think they look for integrity and honesty," he said.

Back at the Gingrich rally, Eleanor Becker has been won over. She says the personal contact with the candidate is essential. “Because you can gauge⁶ whether they are telling you the truth, or if they are [trying to deceive you] sometimes," she said.

The voters here know Iowa plays a special role in the election process, says farmer Jim Pellet. “I think this is the testing ground for them. If they do not pass in Iowa they are not going to last for a long time," he said.

As the Gingrich bus leaves town, Atlantic turns quiet again, a small town in the American heartland that once every four years has its moment in the sun.

1 caucus   

n.秘密会议；干部会议；v.（参加）干部开会议

参考例句：

• This multi-staged caucus takes several months.这个多级会议常常历时好几个月。
• It kept the Democratic caucus from fragmenting.它也使得民主党的核心小组避免了土崩瓦解的危险。

2 picturesque   

adj.美丽如画的，（语言）生动的，绘声绘色的

参考例句：

• You can see the picturesque shores beside the river.在河边你可以看到景色如画的两岸。
• That was a picturesque phrase.那是一个形象化的说法。

3 pals   

n.朋友( pal的名词复数 )；老兄；小子；（对男子的不友好的称呼）家伙

参考例句：

• We've been pals for years. 我们是多年的哥们儿了。
• CD 8 positive cells remarkably increased in PALS and RP(P CD8+细胞在再生脾PALS和RP内均明显增加(P 来自互联网

4 brunch   

n.早午餐

参考例句：

• They eat much the same thing for brunch every day.每天早午餐他们总是吃同样的东西。
• What did you have for your brunch?你早午饭都吃些什么？

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 gauge   

v.精确计量；估计；n.标准度量；计量器

参考例句：

• Can you gauge what her reaction is likely to be?你能揣测她的反应可能是什么吗？
• It's difficult to gauge one's character.要判断一个人的品格是很困难的。