VOA标准英语2012--Chavez Health Uncertain for Upcoming Venezuelan Presidential Election

Chavez Health Uncertain for Upcoming Venezuelan Presidential Election

As Hugo Chavez arrived in Cuba for a third round of cancer treatment, his health has become the main factor in his re-election effort. 

Michael Shifter is president of the Inter-American Dialogue in Washington. 

"f we have learned anything from Chavez over 13 years, it is that we shouldn’t rule him out," said Shifter.

Political analysts¹ believe this could be his toughest election. Chavez is accused of mismanaging Venezuela's oil wealth and devastating² the rest of the economy with his firebrand left-wing politics. Many of the business elite³ have left the country. 

But Chavez has won strong support among Venezuela's poor by using oil revenue to boost social programs. Again, Michael Shifter:

“Chavez, despite the dismal⁴ results and terrible governance, still has a powerful and emotional connection with a lot of Venezuelans," he said. "Many Venezuelans, poor Venezuelans especially, think, believe, that he cares about them. And he is trying to do the best he can.”

Chavez faces his toughest opponent yet in Henrique Capriles, who vows⁵ to continue the social programs that Chavez started while moving the country toward a more market-oriented economy.

But many believe the outcome of the election will hinge on the president's health. Some question why he has refused to step aside while undergoing cancer treatment. He has never disclosed the details of his illness.

Political psychologist and psychiatrist⁶ Jerrold Post says Chavez is the quintessential narcissist⁷ who can’t come to terms with his mortality. 

“He has increasingly come to see himself as the very essence of Venezuela," said Post. "Just as Castro is Cuba, Cuba, Castro. Chavez is Venezuela, Venezuela is Chavez in his mind. And it is inconceivable to have a Venezuela without him at its head.”

Dr. Post says Venezuela is entering a dangerous period. He believes Chavez has imposed his timetable on the nation and wants to secure his legacy⁸ in both Venezuelan and Latin American history.

“Were his opponent to be moving ahead in the polls, I think it is quite possible he could take violent action against his opponent," he said. "But what I think is most important, and I can’t predict exactly how he will act, is that this is a man under immense stress.”

Chavez' current round of radiation therapy is expected to take 4 to 5 weeks. He has refused to relinquish⁹ any authority to his subordinates and will travel back and forth¹⁰ to Cuba for treatment. 

1 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。

2 devastating   

adj.毁灭性的，令人震惊的，强有力的

参考例句：

• It is the most devastating storm in 20 years.这是20年来破坏性最大的风暴。
• Affairs do have a devastating effect on marriages.婚外情确实会对婚姻造成毁灭性的影响。

3 elite   

n.精英阶层；实力集团；adj.杰出的，卓越的

参考例句：

• The power elite inside the government is controlling foreign policy.政府内部的一群握有实权的精英控制着对外政策。
• We have a political elite in this country.我们国家有一群政治精英。

4 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。

5 vows   

誓言( vow的名词复数 )； 郑重宣布，许愿

参考例句：

• Matrimonial vows are to show the faithfulness of the new couple. 婚誓体现了新婚夫妇对婚姻的忠诚。
• The nun took strait vows. 那位修女立下严格的誓愿。

6 psychiatrist   

n.精神病专家；精神病医师

参考例句：

• He went to a psychiatrist about his compulsive gambling.他去看精神科医生治疗不能自拔的赌瘾。
• The psychiatrist corrected him gently.精神病医师彬彬有礼地纠正他。

7 narcissist   

n.自我陶醉者

参考例句：

• Don't get caught in the trap of always trying to please a narcissist. 不要让自己一直陷入讨好自恋者的困境中。 来自互联网

8 legacy   

n.遗产，遗赠；先人(或过去)留下的东西

参考例句：

• They are the most precious cultural legacy our forefathers left.它们是我们祖先留下来的最宝贵的文化遗产。
• He thinks the legacy is a gift from the Gods.他认为这笔遗产是天赐之物。

9 relinquish   

v.放弃，撤回，让与，放手

参考例句：

• He was forced to relinquish control of the company.他被迫放弃公司的掌控权。
• They will never voluntarily relinquish their independence.他们绝对不会自动放弃独立。

10 forth   

adv.向前；向外，往外

参考例句：

• The wind moved the trees gently back and forth.风吹得树轻轻地来回摇晃。
• He gave forth a series of works in rapid succession.他很快连续发表了一系列的作品。