2007年VOA标准英语-Hillary Clinton Joins Democratic US Presidentia

By Marissa Melton
Washington
20 January 2007

New York Senator Hillary Clinton has announced she has taken the first step toward a run for the presidency¹ in 2008. VOA's Marissa Melton reports.

 
Senator Hillary Clinton announces opening presidential exploratory committee on her website HillaryClinton.com
Senator Hillary Clinton, wife of former president Bill Clinton, announced her move on her website today, saying "I'm in."

"I announced today that I am forming a presidential exploratory committee," she said.

Clinton, 59, criticized the Bush administration, saying after six years of his presidency it is time to renew the promise of America. She also laid out her own leadership goals.

"Let's talk about how to end the war in Iraq and restore respect for America around the world," she added.

She also said she wants to talk about making the nation energy-independent, free of foreign oil. And she mentioned several domestic issues, including healthcare, an issue she concentrated on during her time as First Lady in the 1990s.

In her announcement, she stressed her middle class roots, setting her agenda to boost the prospects² of the middle class whom she says has been neglected under the Bush administration.

Clinton's announcement follows one earlier this week by another possible frontrunner, African-American Barack Obama.  He announced formation of his exploratory committee on Tuesday.

Either candidate would be a "first" for the nation if elected.  Clinton would be the first female president of the United States, while Obama would be the first African-American.

 
Senator Sam Brownback announces intention to run for the US presidency Saturday in Topeka, Kansas
Republican Senator Sam Brownback of the Midwestern U.S. state of Kansas announced his candidacy for the 2008 race today.  He called for a bipartisan strategy to win the war in Iraq, and he called for a renewal³ of conservative Christian⁴ values.

"To walk away from the Almighty⁵ is to embrace decline for a nation," he said.  "To embrace Him leads to renewal for individuals and for nations."

The anti-abortion candidate also called on Americans to, "protect all innocent life."

Brownback faces competition for the Republican presidential nomination⁶ from such possible contenders as the high-profile Senator John McCain of Arizona and former New York City mayor Rudy Giuliani.

1 presidency   

n.总统(校长，总经理)的职位(任期)

参考例句：

• Roosevelt was elected four times to the presidency of the United States.罗斯福连续当选四届美国总统。
• Two candidates are emerging as contestants for the presidency.两位候选人最终成为总统职位竞争者。

2 prospects   

n.希望，前途(恒为复数)

参考例句：

• There is a mood of pessimism in the company about future job prospects. 公司中有一种对工作前景悲观的情绪。
• They are less sanguine about the company's long-term prospects. 他们对公司的远景不那么乐观。

3 renewal   

adj.(契约)延期，续订，更新，复活，重来

参考例句：

• Her contract is coming up for renewal in the autumn.她的合同秋天就应该续签了。
• Easter eggs symbolize the renewal of life.复活蛋象征新生。

4 Christian   

adj.基督教徒的；n.基督教徒

参考例句：

• They always addressed each other by their Christian name.他们总是以教名互相称呼。
• His mother is a sincere Christian.他母亲是个虔诚的基督教徒。

5 almighty   

adj.全能的，万能的；很大的，很强的

参考例句：

• Those rebels did not really challenge Gods almighty power.这些叛徒没有对上帝的全能力量表示怀疑。
• It's almighty cold outside.外面冷得要命。

6 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。