2006年VOA标准英语-Bush Replaces White House Chief of Staff

By Scott Stearns
White House
28 March 2006 

White House Chief of Staff Andrew Card  
  
President Bush has replaced his chief of staff. The move follows calls from some within his own political party to shake up his staff amid record low public approval ratings.

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President Bush says White House Chief of Staff Andy Card has served the nation in historic times of peace and war.

"In all these challenges and accomplishments¹, I have relied on Andy's wise counsel, his calm in crisis, his absolute integrity, and his tireless commitment to public service. Andy is respected by his colleagues for his humility², his decency³, and his thoughtfulness," Mr. Bush said.

Card will step down April 14 after five and a half years in one of the most demanding jobs in Washington. From the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks to wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, Card oversaw⁴ a tumultuous first term and was instrumental in the president's re-election.

"On most days, Andy is the first one to arrive in the West Wing and among the last to leave," the president said. "And during those long days over many years, I have come to know Andy as more than my chief of staff. He is leaving the White House, but he will always be my friend."

The president and Mrs. Bush have known Card and his wife for more than 20 years. He served as deputy chief of staff and Secretary of Transportation for Mr. Bush's father, President George Herbert Walker Bush. Card was a special White House assistant to President Ronald Reagan. The long-time advisor⁵ was the president's first choice as chief of staff when Mr. Bush took office in 2001.

But record low poll numbers and a series of public relations stumbles including a failed Supreme⁶ Court nomination⁷, the leak of a secret eavesdropping⁸ program, and Republican complaints about the Dubai ports deal prompted some in the president's party to call for changes.

President Bush says he accepted Card's resignation this past weekend at the presidential retreat at Camp David.

He will be replaced by another long-time insider, budget director Josh Bolten, who also served the former presidents Bush and Reagan.

President Bush says Bolten is a creative policy thinker and an expert on the budget and economy.

"He is respected by members of Congress from both parties. He is a strong advocate for effective, accountable management in the federal government," Mr. Bush said. "He is a man of candor⁹ and humor and directness who is comfortable with responsibility and knows how to lead."

The president says the next three years will demand much of those who serve the country with a global war against terrorism and opportunities to expand the U.S. economy. He says he is honored to have served with Card and has great confidence in this next chief of staff.

1 accomplishments   

n.造诣；完成( accomplishment的名词复数 )；技能；成绩；成就

参考例句：

• It was one of the President's greatest accomplishments. 那是总统最伟大的成就之一。
• Among her accomplishments were sewing,cooking,playing the piano and dancing. 她的才能包括缝纫、烹调、弹钢琴和跳舞。 来自《现代英汉综合大词典》

2 humility   

n.谦逊，谦恭

参考例句：

• Humility often gains more than pride.谦逊往往比骄傲收益更多。
• His voice was still soft and filled with specious humility.他的声音还是那么温和，甚至有点谦卑。

3 decency   

n.体面，得体，合宜，正派，庄重

参考例句：

• His sense of decency and fair play made him refuse the offer.他的正直感和公平竞争意识使他拒绝了这一提议。
• Your behaviour is an affront to public decency.你的行为有伤风化。

4 oversaw   

v.监督，监视( oversee的过去式 )

参考例句：

• He will go down as the president who oversaw two historic transitions. 他将作为见证了巴西两次历史性转变的总统，安然引退。 来自互联网
• Dixon oversaw the project as creative director of Design Research Studio. 狄克逊监督项目的创意总监设计研究工作室。 来自互联网

5 advisor   

n.顾问，指导老师，劝告者

参考例句：

• They employed me as an advisor.他们聘请我当顾问。
• The professor is engaged as a technical advisor.这位教授被聘请为技术顾问。

6 supreme   

adj.极度的，最重要的；至高的，最高的

参考例句：

• It was the supreme moment in his life.那是他一生中最重要的时刻。
• He handed up the indictment to the supreme court.他把起诉书送交最高法院。

7 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。

8 eavesdropping   

n. 偷听

参考例句：

• We caught him eavesdropping outside the window. 我们撞见他正在窗外偷听。
• Suddenly the kids,who had been eavesdropping,flew into the room. 突然间，一直在偷听的孩子们飞进屋来。

9 candor   

n.坦白，率真

参考例句：

• He covered a wide range of topics with unusual candor.他极其坦率地谈了许多问题。
• He and his wife had avoided candor,and they had drained their marriage.他们夫妻间不坦率，已使婚姻奄奄一息。