2006年VOA标准英语-US Senator Lieberman Faces Strong Challenge Ove

By Jim Malone
Washington
12 July 2006

Iraq is expected to be a major factor in this year's U.S. congressional election campaign.  In the second of two reports,  VOA National correspondent Jim Malone has more on how Iraq has become a prominent issue in the Senate race in Connecticut involving one of the country's best known Democrats², Joseph Lieberman.

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Joseph Lieberman   
  
Liberal Democrats in Connecticut are upset with Senator Lieberman for his strong support for the war in Iraq.

So upset, in fact, that Senator Lieberman faces a strong challenge from fellow Democrat¹ Ned Lamont in a primary election on August 8.

During a recent televised debate, challenger Lamont focused on Lieberman's support for the Iraq war.

"And Senator Lieberman, if you will not challenge President Bush and his failed agenda, I will," he said. "And we have 135,000 of our bravest troops stuck in the middle of a bloody³ civil war, and I say that those who got us into this mess should be held accountable.  Let us have the debate."

Joe Lieberman has long been one of Connecticut's most popular politicians, with a record of appealing to Democrats, independents, and even moderate Republicans.

But after three six-year terms in the Senate, Lieberman finds himself in a tough re-election battle with a little known challenger, and he is fighting hard to keep his seat.

Ned Lamont   
  
"Ned Lamont seems just to be running against me based on my stand on one issue, Iraq, and he is distorting who I am and what I have done," Lieberman said. "So let me tell you some things that may surprise at least Ned, but should not.  I know George Bush.  I have worked against George Bush.  I have even run against George Bush.  But Ned, I am not George Bush.

Recent polls give Lieberman a slight edge over Lamont, but political experts say the race remains⁴ in doubt because many Connecticut Democrats are angry over Lieberman's steadfast⁵ support for the Iraq war.

"It seems to be a bellwether⁶ [indicator] election," said John Orman, a professor of politics at Fairfield University in Connecticut.. "It is coming very early and it is going to let citizens know how important that issue is going to be, especially in a Democrat [leaning] state like Connecticut.  There seems to be a battle in Connecticut for the heart and soul of the Democratic Party."

The Lieberman-Lamont primary race in Connecticut is getting national attention.  Many congressional Democrats who voted for the war will be watching to see to what extent unhappy Democratic voters take out their anger over Iraq on Senator Lieberman.

"The party overwhelmingly is opposed to the Iraq war and wants to see a schedule announced of withdrawal⁷.  They differ about how quickly the withdrawal should take place, but overwhelmingly they are in favor of a withdrawal," said Larry Sabato, who directs the Center for Politics at the University of Virginia.

Even if Senator Lieberman loses the Democratic primary on August 8, he could still be a candidate in the November election.

Lieberman has already taken steps to run as an independent candidate should he lose the Democratic primary by collecting signatures on petitions that would allow him on the November ballot⁸ as an independent.

Fairfield University professor John Orman says Lieberman still has appeal that cuts across party lines.

"And of course, he has strong support in the state among undecided independents, unaffiliated [voters] and even among many Republicans," he said. "They are saying now that they will cross over and vote for Joe Lieberman if he is an independent [candidate]."

But an independent Senate bid by Lieberman may not draw the kind of national Democratic Party support that he is used to.

Senators Hillary Clinton of New York and John Kerry of Massachusetts both say they will back the winner of the Democratic primary in Connecticut, even if their longtime colleague loses to political newcomer Ned Lamont.  

1 democrat   

n.民主主义者，民主人士；民主党党员

参考例句：

• The Democrat and the Public criticized each other.民主党人和共和党人互相攻击。
• About two years later,he was defeated by Democrat Jimmy Carter.大约两年后，他被民主党人杰米卡特击败。

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 bloody   

adj.非常的的；流血的；残忍的；adv.很；vt.血染

参考例句：

• He got a bloody nose in the fight.他在打斗中被打得鼻子流血。
• He is a bloody fool.他是一个十足的笨蛋。

4 remains   

n.剩余物，残留物；遗体，遗迹

参考例句：

• He ate the remains of food hungrily.他狼吞虎咽地吃剩余的食物。
• The remains of the meal were fed to the dog.残羹剩饭喂狗了。

5 steadfast   

adj.固定的，不变的，不动摇的；忠实的；坚贞不移的

参考例句：

• Her steadfast belief never left her for one moment.她坚定的信仰从未动摇过。
• He succeeded in his studies by dint of steadfast application.由于坚持不懈的努力他获得了学业上的成功。

6 bellwether   

n.系铃的公羊，前导，领导者，群众的首领

参考例句：

• University campuses are often the bellwether of change.大学校园往往引领变革的新潮。
• For decades the company was the bellwether of the British economy.几十年来，这家公司一直是英国经济的晴雨表。

7 withdrawal   

n.取回，提款；撤退，撤军；收回，撤销

参考例句：

• The police were forced to make a tactical withdrawal.警方被迫进行战术撤退。
• They insisted upon a withdrawal of the statement and a public apology.他们坚持要收回那些话并公开道歉。

8 ballot   

n.（不记名）投票，投票总数，投票权；vi.投票

参考例句：

• The members have demanded a ballot.会员们要求投票表决。
• The union said they will ballot members on whether to strike.工会称他们将要求会员投票表决是否罢工。