VOA常速英语2014--对埃博拉的处理 影响美国政治版图

 

Ebola Response Shaping US Political Landscape 对埃博拉的处理 影响美国政治版图

WHITE HOUSE— 

The Ebola outbreak that has killed thousands of people in West Africa has emerged as an issue in the U.S. midterm elections.  In recent days, President Barack Obama has been front and center on the Ebola response after polls showed many Americans disapproved¹ of his handling of the situation.  .

在西非造成数千人死亡的埃博拉疫情已成为影响美国中期选举的一个议题。有民调显示，很多美国人不赞成奥巴马总统对埃博拉疫情的应对措施。

From giving a big hug to newly recovered nurse Nina Pham to thanking U.S. health care workers on the frontlines of the Ebola fight.

奥巴马总统曾拥抱刚刚康复的埃博拉病人范妮娜护士，并感谢美国医疗卫生人员在第一线抗击埃博拉疫情。

“We need to call them what they are, which is American heroes. They deserve our gratitude," said President Obama.

奥巴马说：“我们应把他们称为美国英雄，他们值得我们感激。”

President Obama has spent a good part of the past two weeks reassuring² the American public on Ebola, even taking a few minutes before embarking³ on a campaign trip last week to speak to reporters at the White House.

过去两个星期的大部分时间，奥巴马都设法让美国公众对埃博拉疫情放心，他上星期在启程参加竞选活动之前几分钟还在白宫会见了媒体。

“America in the end is not defined by fear. That is not who we are. America is defined by possibility. And when we see a problem and we see a challenge, then we fix it," said Obama.

奥巴马说：“归根到底，美国不能为恐惧所动。这不是我们美国。美国没有什么不能的。在我们遇到问题，遇到挑战时，我们要解决它。”

The stepped up media effort seems to be working, with a recent poll showing about 49 percent of those surveyed approve of President Obama’s handling of the Ebola issue - up eight percent from two weeks ago.

奥巴马加大媒体曝光似乎发挥了作用，最近的民调显示，大约49%的民众支持奥巴马对埃博拉疫情做出的反应，这比两个星期前上升8%。

George Washington University Professor Matt Dallek: “All these ways, aggressive ways, in which the White House has been trying to kind of push back on the story, demonstrate that it is in charge and that it is effective, have been helpful politically," said Dallek.

美国乔治.华盛顿大学的教授马特.达莱克说：“白宫为了设法在埃博拉问题上影响民众的所有做法，这些主动出击的做法都显示，这种做法有效，白宫在掌控局面，在政治上有帮助。”

虽然全球危机影响着美国的中期选举，埃博拉对美国人恐惧造成的影响可能会在星期二表现出来，届时选民将决定他们在国会的代表是谁。

But it is not just President Obama who has made Ebola a central issue in recent days. New Jersey⁴ Governor Chris Christie, seen here campaigning for Republican candidates, made headlines after he ordered the quarantine of an American nurse who had returned from treating Ebola patients in West Africa.

但最近几天，集中讨论埃博拉问题的不仅仅是奥巴马，还有为共和党候选人竞选站台的新泽西州长克里斯蒂。他在下令对一名美国护士进行隔离观察后成为媒体关注的焦点。这名护士在西非治疗埃博拉病人后返回美国。

“We are not going to take any risks with the public health of New Jersey," said Christie.

克里斯蒂州长说：“我们不会拿新泽西州公众的健康去冒险。”

Political Management professor Matt Dallek says crises like Ebola and the Islamic State militant⁵ group’s gaining ground in Iraq have created an opening for Republicans during the midterm election campaign.

政治管理教授德莱克说，埃博拉以及伊斯兰国激进组织在伊拉克节节获胜这样的危机，为共和党人在中期选举制造了话题的突破口。

“At least, historically in the last 30, 40 years, Republicans have often been seen as being stronger than Democrats⁶, tough on national security, tough on law and order, being willing to take the extra step to protect you," he said.

他说：“至少在过去的30年，40年中，共和党人在国家安全，法律和秩序议题上一直很强硬，比民主党人强硬，愿意不遗余力地保护美国人。”

While global crises have influenced U.S. midterm campaigns, the impact of Americans fear of Ebola will likely be made clear on Tuesday, when voters decide who should represent them in Congress.

虽然全球危机影响着美国的中期选举，埃博拉对美国人恐惧造成的影响可能会在星期二表现出来，届时选民将决定他们在国会的代表是谁。

1 disapproved   

v.不赞成( disapprove的过去式和过去分词 )

参考例句：

• My parents disapproved of my marriage. 我父母不赞成我的婚事。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• She disapproved of her son's indiscriminate television viewing. 她不赞成儿子不加选择地收看电视。 来自《简明英汉词典》

2 reassuring   

a.使人消除恐惧和疑虑的，使人放心的

参考例句：

• He gave her a reassuring pat on the shoulder. 他轻拍了一下她的肩膀让她放心。
• With a reassuring pat on her arm, he left. 他鼓励地拍了拍她的手臂就离开了。

3 embarking   

乘船( embark的现在分词 )； 装载； 从事

参考例句：

• He's embarking on a new career as a writer. 他即将开始新的职业生涯——当一名作家。
• The campaign on which were embarking was backed up by such intricate and detailed maintenance arrangemets. 我们实施的战争，须要如此复杂及详细的维护准备。

4 jersey   

n.运动衫

参考例句：

• He wears a cotton jersey when he plays football.他穿运动衫踢足球。
• They were dressed alike in blue jersey and knickers.他们穿着一致，都是蓝色的运动衫和灯笼短裤。

5 militant   

adj.激进的，好斗的；n.激进分子，斗士

参考例句：

• Some militant leaders want to merge with white radicals.一些好斗的领导人要和白人中的激进派联合。
• He is a militant in the movement.他在那次运动中是个激进人物。

6 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》