VOA标准英语2008年-Republicans Open Convention With Low Key Appeal

The Republican party began its national political convention Monday in St. Paul, Minnesota, with a shortened opening day schedule that focused on efforts to put together aid packages for people on the U.S. Gulf¹ coast, affected² by Hurricane Gustav. That focus on aid also dramatically altered the agenda for the four day event, which was originally meant to celebrate the nomination³ of John McCain as the Republican party candidate for president. VOA's Dan Robinson reports from St. Paul, Minnesota.

The opening day convention schedule was truncated⁴ out of respect for those bearing the brunt of Hurricane Gustav. It began with the singing of the national anthem:

Then the formal business began, as Republicans and state delegations⁵ worked through procedural steps required to nominate Senate John McCain as the Republican presidential nominee⁶, and Alaska Governor Sarah Palin for the vice⁷ presidency⁸. But the celebratory speeches originally planned for the opening day were canceled.
　

Republican National Committee Chairman Mike Duncan calls the convention to order, 01 Sep 2008

Republican National Committee Chairman Mike Duncan called the convention to order, asking the approximately 5,000 delegates to keep those affected by Hurricane Gustav in their prayers.

"We must act to officially nominate John McCain and Sarah Palin for the presidency and vice presidency," said Mike Duncan. "So, while honoring our call as Americans, we fulfill⁹ our duty by receiving the report of the credentials¹⁰ committee, adopting the rules of the party, adopting the party platform and finishing other business required by our party rules and bylaws."

Republican lawmaker Kevin McCarthy used his remarks to emphasize sharp differences between Republican and Democratic policies, here speaking about energy.

"For those who say there really is no difference between the parties, this platform will prove them wrong," said Kevin McCarthy. "In energy policy, there are those who don't want to use American resources, and that means more Middle Eastern oil. We disagree."
　

Cindy McCain (l) and Laura Bush at the Republican National Convention in St. Paul, Minnesota, 01 Sep 2008

Instead of the planned speeches by President Bush and Vice President Cheney, First Lady Laura Bush and Senator McCain's wife, Cindy, focused on relief efforts for the U.S. Gulf coast and appeals to Americans to contribute aid:

Laura Bush: "Events on the Gulf coast region have changed the focus of our attention, and our first priority today is to ensure the safety and the well-being¹¹ of those living in the Gulf coast region."

Cindy McCain: "As John has been saying for the last several days, this is a time when we take off our Republican hats and put on our American hats."

As the convention began, vice-presidential nominee-to-be Palin announced that her 17-year-old daughter, who is unmarried, is pregnant.

A social conservative and opponent of abortion¹², whose selection by McCain was aimed in part at securing that part of his political base, Palin issued a statement saying she is proud of her daughter, who will marry the father of the baby.

President Bush was in Texas Monday visiting emergency operations centers dealing¹³ with Hurricane Gustav.

The timing¹⁴ of the convention, and the simultaneous strike on the Gulf Coast by Hurricane Gustav, provided Republican and Democratic presidential candidates an opportunity to underscore their concern.

Republicans launched a hurricane fund-raising relief effort. Democratic presidential nominee Senator Barack Obama urged supporters to donate to the Red Cross and other organizations.
　

Protesters arrested in a field behind the Minnesota Science Center, 1 Sep. 2008

Between 8,000 and 10,000 demonstrators marched in the heavily guarded streets outside the convention site, protesting Bush administration policies and the Iraq war. Police reported making five arrests.

In Washington, officials of the U.S. Government's emergency management agency (FEMA) praised local and state preparations for Hurricane Gustav, including evacuations in Louisiana.

FEMA, and the Bush administration, were sharply criticized in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, which struck the Gulf Coast three years ago, devastating¹⁵ sections of New Orleans with flood waters.

1 gulf   

n.海湾；深渊，鸿沟；分歧，隔阂

参考例句：

• The gulf between the two leaders cannot be bridged.两位领导人之间的鸿沟难以跨越。
• There is a gulf between the two cities.这两座城市间有个海湾。

2 affected   

adj.不自然的，假装的

参考例句：

• She showed an affected interest in our subject.她假装对我们的课题感到兴趣。
• His manners are affected.他的态度不自然。

3 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。

4 truncated   

adj.切去顶端的，缩短了的，被删节的v.截面的( truncate的过去式和过去分词 )；截头的；缩短了的；截去顶端或末端

参考例句：

• My article was published in truncated form. 我的文章以节录的形式发表了。
• Oligocene erosion had truncated the sediments draped over the dome. 覆盖于穹丘上的沉积岩为渐新世侵蚀所截削。 来自辞典例句

5 delegations   

n.代表团( delegation的名词复数 )；委托，委派

参考例句：

• In the past 15 years, China has sent 280 women delegations abroad. 十五年来，中国共派280批妇女代表团出访。 来自汉英非文学 - 白皮书
• The Sun Ray decision follows the federal pattern of tolerating broad delegations but insisting on safeguards. “阳光”案的判决仿效联邦容许广泛授权的做法，但又坚持保护措施。 来自英汉非文学 - 行政法

6 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。

7 vice   

n.坏事；恶习；[pl.]台钳，老虎钳；adj.副的

参考例句：

• He guarded himself against vice.他避免染上坏习惯。
• They are sunk in the depth of vice.他们堕入了罪恶的深渊。

8 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。

9 fulfill   

vt.履行，实现，完成；满足，使满意

参考例句：

• If you make a promise you should fulfill it.如果你许诺了，你就要履行你的诺言。
• This company should be able to fulfill our requirements.这家公司应该能够满足我们的要求。

10 credentials   

n.证明，资格，证明书，证件

参考例句：

• He has long credentials of diplomatic service.他的外交工作资历很深。
• Both candidates for the job have excellent credentials.此项工作的两个求职者都非常符合资格。

11 well-being   

n.安康，安乐，幸福

参考例句：

• He always has the well-being of the masses at heart.他总是把群众的疾苦挂在心上。
• My concern for their well-being was misunderstood as interference.我关心他们的幸福，却被误解为多管闲事。

12 abortion   

n.流产，堕胎

参考例句：

• She had an abortion at the women's health clinic.她在妇女保健医院做了流产手术。
• A number of considerations have led her to have a wilful abortion.多种考虑使她执意堕胎。

13 dealing   

n.经商方法，待人态度

参考例句：

• This store has an excellent reputation for fair dealing.该商店因买卖公道而享有极高的声誉。
• His fair dealing earned our confidence.他的诚实的行为获得我们的信任。

14 timing   

n.时间安排，时间选择

参考例句：

• The timing of the meeting is not convenient.会议的时间安排不合适。
• The timing of our statement is very opportune.我们发表声明选择的时机很恰当。

15 devastating   

adj.毁灭性的，令人震惊的，强有力的

参考例句：

• It is the most devastating storm in 20 years.这是20年来破坏性最大的风暴。
• Affairs do have a devastating effect on marriages.婚外情确实会对婚姻造成毁灭性的影响。