VOA常速英语2019--民主党总统候选人准备周三的辩论（在线收听）

Democratic Presidential Contenders Prepare for Wednesday Debate

It will be another crowded debate stage in Atlanta with ten Democrats vying for the spotlight.

这将是亚特兰大又一个拥挤的辩论舞台，十名民主党人将争夺焦点。 

The two leading contenders former Vice President Joe Biden and Massachusetts senator Elizabeth Warren will be center stage.

前副总统乔·拜登和马萨诸塞州参议员伊丽莎白·沃伦将是两位主要竞争者。 

But one candidate drawing extra attention at the moment is South Bend Indiana mayor Pete Buttigieg.

但目前引起特别关注的一位候选人是印第安纳州南本德市长皮特·布蒂吉格。 

Polls show Buttigieg has surged into a lead in Iowa, the state that will kick off the caucus and primary voting in February.

民调显示，布蒂吉格在爱荷华州的支持率已经飙升至领先地位，爱荷华州将在2月份启动核心会议和初选投票。

“The more voters hear my message, the more supportive they become, and the more we’re able to grow our base.”

“越多选民听到我的信息，他们就会越支持我，我们就越有能力扩大我们的基础。” 

Biden continues to lead in national polls and argues he would be the strongest candidate to take on President Trump next year.

拜登继续在全国民调中领先，并认为他将是明年与特朗普总统较量的最强候选人。 

“Let me say this, whomever among us ends up being the nominee for the Democratic Party,

“让我这么说吧，不管我们之中最终谁成为民主党的候选人， 

the next president is going to inherit two things for certain, a nation that’s divided and a world in disarray.”

下一任总统肯定会继承两样东西，一个分裂的国家和一个混乱的世界。” 

Warren also remains near the top of the Democratic field but finds herself on the defensive of late over her sweeping plan for a government health care program, Medicare for all.

沃伦在民主党阵营保持第二的位置，但她最近在为自己的政府医疗保健全面计划——全民医保计划——进行辩护。

“Come caucus for me and come fight alongside me because this is our time to dream big to fight hard and to win.”

“来参加我的核心会议，和我并肩作战，因为这是我们实现伟大梦想的时刻，我们要努力战斗，争取胜利。”

One new Democratic contender who will not be in the debate is former Massachusetts governor Deval Patrick who announced last week that he was entering the race.

一位不会参加辩论的新晋民主党竞争者是前马萨诸塞州州长德瓦尔·帕特里克，他上周宣布他将参加竞选。

“This campaign and I think it’s an opportunity to, to bring people together.”

“我认为这次竞选是一个让人们团结起来的机会。” 

Also, former New York City Mayor and billionaire Michael Bloomberg may join the race as well.

此外，前纽约市市长、亿万富翁迈克尔·布隆伯格也可能参加竞选。 

The entry of additional candidates raises questions about the current field of contenders, says analysts, Larry Sabato.

分析师拉里·萨巴托表示，新候选人的加入引发了人们对当前竞争者的质疑。 

“It’s obvious many Democratic leaders are very worried about the top echelon.

“很明显，许多民主党领导人都非常担心高层梯队。 

Each of the candidates has problems, too old, too young, over experience, under experience, and then too far left, too far right. You name it.”

每个候选人都有问题，太老、太年轻、经验过多、经验不足，然后太激进、太保守。应有尽有。” 

Eight other contenders will be on stage for the Atlanta debate,

其他八名竞争者将登上亚特兰辩论的舞台， 

including Vermont senator Bernie Sanders, California senator Kamala Harris, Minnesota senator Amy Klobuchar and New Jersey senator Cory Booker.

包括佛蒙特州参议员伯尼·桑德斯、加利福尼亚州参议员卡马拉·哈里斯、明尼苏达州参议员埃米·克洛布彻和新泽西州参议员科里·布克。