VOA标准英语2008年-Former Rival John Edwards Endorses Obama

By Jim Malone
Washington
15 May 2008

Democratic presidential contender Barack Obama won the endorsement¹ of a key former rival Wednesday, one day after being trounced in the West Virginia primary by Hillary Clinton. VOA National correspondent Jim Malone reports from Washington.

Obama won the endorsement of former senator and Democratic presidential rival John Edwards.

Edwards made a surprise appearance with Obama at a campaign rally in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

"There's one man who knows in his heart that it is time to create one America, not two, and that man is Barack Obama," said Edwards.

Edwards dropped out of the race for the Democratic Party's presidential nomination² earlier this year after disappointing finishes in the early primaries and caucuses³.

Edwards could help shore up Obama's appeal among white working class voters, which has been a weakness for the Democratic frontrunner in several recent primaries.

The Edwards endorsement came one day after Obama was badly beaten by Hillary Clinton in the West Virginia primary, in large part because working class voters turned out to support her.

Despite her big win in West Virginia, most experts give Clinton virtually no chance of catching⁴ Obama in the overall delegate count.

In addition, Obama continues to outpace Clinton in securing the support of uncommitted so-called superdelegates, party activists⁵ and Democratic Party officeholders who can support either candidate.

Despite her long shot odds⁶ of winning the Democratic nomination, Senator Clinton defended her decision to remain in the race in an interview on NBC television.

"We're near the end of what's been a long process," she said. "I don't believe in quitting. I don't believe in being pushed out. I'm going to do everything I can be that nominee⁷."

Clinton hopes her convincing victory in West Virginia will give her renewed momentum⁸ in the final five Democratic primaries, just as Obama is counting on a boost from the Edwards endorsement.

The states of Kentucky and Oregon hold primaries next Tuesday, and the primary season will come to a close on June 3. The Democrats⁹ hold their national nominating convention in Denver in late August to formally select a candidate to run against the presumptive Republican nominee, Senator John McCain.

1 endorsement   

n.背书；赞成，认可，担保；签(注)，批注

参考例句：

• We are happy to give the product our full endorsement.我们很高兴给予该产品完全的认可。
• His presidential campaign won endorsement from several celebrities.他参加总统竞选得到一些社会名流的支持。

2 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。

3 caucuses   

n.（政党决定政策或推举竞选人的）核心成员( caucus的名词复数 )；决策干部；决策委员会；秘密会议

参考例句：

• Republican caucuses will happen in about 410 towns across Maine. 共和党团会议选举将在缅因州的约410个城镇进行。 来自互联网

4 catching   

adj.易传染的，有魅力的，迷人的，接住

参考例句：

• There are those who think eczema is catching.有人就是认为湿疹会传染。
• Enthusiasm is very catching.热情非常富有感染力。

5 activists   

n.（政治活动的）积极分子，活动家( activist的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• His research work was attacked by animal rights activists . 他的研究受到了动物权益维护者的抨击。
• Party activists with lower middle class pedigrees are numerous. 党的激进分子中有很多出身于中产阶级下层。 来自《简明英汉词典》

6 odds   

n.让步，机率，可能性，比率；胜败优劣之别

参考例句：

• The odds are 5 to 1 that she will win.她获胜的机会是五比一。
• Do you know the odds of winning the lottery once?你知道赢得一次彩票的几率多大吗？

7 nominee   

n.被提名者；被任命者；被推荐者

参考例句：

• His nominee for vice president was elected only after a second ballot.他提名的副总统在两轮投票后才当选。
• Mr.Francisco is standing as the official nominee for the post of District Secretary.弗朗西斯科先生是行政书记职位的正式提名人。

8 momentum   

n.动力，冲力，势头；动量

参考例句：

• We exploit the energy and momentum conservation laws in this way.我们就是这样利用能量和动量守恒定律的。
• The law of momentum conservation could supplant Newton's third law.动量守恒定律可以取代牛顿第三定律。

9 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》