VOA标准英语10月-Clinton Joins Obama Campaign Stop in Florida

Former President Bill Clinton made his first campaign appearance alongside Democratic candidate Barack Obama, during a campaign stop in Florida. Both Obama and the Republican contender, John McCain, are making late drives to win Florida, which will be a key state to win on Election Day next week. VOA's Brian Wagner reports from Miami.
　

Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Barack Obama

After weeks of campaigning on behalf of Senator Obama, former President Clinton finally shared the stage with the Democratic candidate, at an event in central Florida.

"It is so important for you to do what you can to make sure Florida is in the Obama column next Tuesday night," said Mr. Clinton.

Clinton praised Obama's proposals for energy and health care changes and said he is better qualified¹ to tackle the nation's economic problems than McCain. The former president also drew comparisons between the Illinois senator and himself, saying Obama shares many of the same priorities he held while in the White House.

Obama says the nation needs to break with the current agenda in the White House.

"We can't have four more years just like the last eight that we have had," Obama said. "It is time for the kind of peace and prosperity that we saw in the 1990's."

With less than a week until Election Day, the Obama and McCain campaigns are making late pitches to voters in key states like Florida and elsewhere.

Obama took advantage of his strong fundraising efforts to pay for a half-hour slot on several major television networks, late Wednesday. The advertisement was aired during prime time around the country and cost more than three-million dollars.

"In six days we can choose an economy that rewards work and creates jobs and fuels prosperity, starting with the middle class," he said.

The program highlighted Obama's focus on economic and social spending changes that Democrats² say aim to benefit many average Americans.

"I believe we need to usher³ in a new era of responsibility," Obama added. "Families are tightening⁴ their belts and so should Washington."

Obama says he has planned spending cuts that would generate a budget surplus, even with new energy, economic and other initiatives he has proposed. The Democratic senator is disputing Republican claims that he will increase government spending and raise taxes to pay for it.

Also Wednesday, McCain attacked Obama for his lack of foreign policy experience.

"Terrorists are still plotting new strikes across the world," said McCain. "Millions of innocent lives are still at stake, including American lives."

McCain held two rallies in Florida, which is likely to be a key state on Election Day. President Bush carried the state in both of his election victories. But the latest opinion polls give Obama a narrow lead over McCain.

The Arizona senator is hoping that his defense⁵ and foreign policy experience will win over voters.

"Barack Obama has displayed some impressive qualities," he said. "But the question is whether this is a man who has what it takes to protect the United States from Osama bin⁶ Laden⁷, al-Qaida and other grave threats in the world."

McCain and other Republican leaders are responding to recent projections⁸ that suggest Democrats may win the White House, as well as the Senate and House in Tuesday's election. The last time one party took control of the government was when Republicans claimed victory in the 2002 election.

McCain says a Democratic sweep would bring dramatic changes.

"Raising taxes and unilaterally renegotiating trade agreements, as they [Democrats] have promised, will make a bad economy even worse and undermine out national security - even as they slash⁹ defense spending," said McCain.

The latest national public opinion surveys show Obama ahead of McCain by an average of six points. The presidential race is decided¹⁰ by a state-by-state tally¹¹ of electoral votes. The winning candidate must win at least 270 electoral votes out of 538.

1 qualified   

adj.合格的，有资格的，胜任的，有限制的

参考例句：

• He is qualified as a complete man of letters.他有资格当真正的文学家。
• We must note that we still lack qualified specialists.我们必须看到我们还缺乏有资质的专家。

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 usher   

n.带位员，招待员；vt.引导，护送；vi.做招待，担任引座员

参考例句：

• The usher seated us in the front row.引座员让我们在前排就座。
• They were quickly ushered away.他们被迅速领开。

4 tightening   

上紧，固定，紧密

参考例句：

• Make sure the washer is firmly seated before tightening the pipe. 旋紧水管之前，检查一下洗衣机是否已牢牢地固定在底座上了。
• It needs tightening up a little. 它还需要再收紧些。

5 defense   

n.防御，保卫；[pl.]防务工事；辩护，答辩

参考例句：

• The accused has the right to defense.被告人有权获得辩护。
• The war has impacted the area with military and defense workers.战争使那个地区挤满了军队和防御工程人员。

6 bin   

n.箱柜；vt.放入箱内；[计算机] DOS文件名:二进制目标文件

参考例句：

• He emptied several bags of rice into a bin.他把几袋米倒进大箱里。
• He threw the empty bottles in the bin.他把空瓶子扔进垃圾箱。

7 laden   

adj.装满了的；充满了的；负了重担的；苦恼的

参考例句：

• He is laden with heavy responsibility.他肩负重任。
• Dragging the fully laden boat across the sand dunes was no mean feat.将满载货物的船拖过沙丘是一件了不起的事。

8 projections   

预测( projection的名词复数 )； 投影； 投掷； 突起物

参考例句：

• Their sales projections are a total thumbsuck. 他们的销售量预测纯属估计。
• The council has revised its projections of funding requirements upwards. 地方议会调高了对资金需求的预测。

9 slash   

vi.大幅度削减；vt.猛砍，尖锐抨击，大幅减少；n.猛砍，斜线，长切口，衣衩

参考例句：

• The shop plans to slash fur prices after Spring Festival.该店计划在春节之后把皮货降价。
• Don't slash your horse in that cruel way.不要那样残忍地鞭打你的马。

10 decided   

adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的

参考例句：

• This gave them a decided advantage over their opponents.这使他们比对手具有明显的优势。
• There is a decided difference between British and Chinese way of greeting.英国人和中国人打招呼的方式有很明显的区别。

11 tally   

n.计数器，记分，一致，测量；vt.计算，记录，使一致；vi.计算，记分，一致

参考例句：

• Don't forget to keep a careful tally of what you spend.别忘了仔细记下你的开支账目。
• The facts mentioned in the report tally to every detail.报告中所提到的事实都丝毫不差。