VOA标准英语2012--2012 Presidential Debates Begin
时间：2018-12-16 作者：英语课 分类：VOA标准英语2012年(十月)
2012 Presidential Debates Begin
One of the first political debates in the U.S. took place in Illinois, in 1858. Senatorial candidates Abraham Lincoln and Stephen Douglas stood on this rock and argued over slavery. Lincoln lost the race but went on to win the presidency 1 two years later. Ten thousand people watched the debate in this park.
Fast forward 100 years and many more would watch a presidential debate on a fairly young technology called television.
A tanned Senator John F. Kennedy visually overpowered an uncomfortable and sweaty Vice 2 President Richard Nixon. Journalist Howard K. Smith moderated the debate.
“We offered Nixon make-up, but in those days TV was still new to politicians and it was considered effeminate to have. He refused it," said Smith.
Kennedy won the election, some say, partially 3 due to the debate.
It was 16 years before another presidential debate would be held, and it appeared costly 4 for the incumbent 5. President Gerald Ford 6 made an understatement about Russia when facing challenger Jimmy Carter, and he eventually lost the election.
“There is no Soviet 7 domination of Eastern Europe and there never will be under a Ford administration," said Ford.
In 1988, Democratic Vice Presidential Candidate Lloyd Bentsen scored high in this retort to his Republican rival Dan Quayle. First, Quayle.
“I have as much experience in the Congress as Jack 8 Kennedy did when he sought the Presidency," said Quayle.
“Senator I knew Jack Kennedy. Jack Kennedy was a friend of mine. Senator you're no Jack Kennedy." answered Bentsen.
The Republicans won the election anyway. George H.W. Bush became president.
In 1992 he ran for re-election.
In one debate, television cameras caught him glancing at his wristwatch - as if uninterested. He lost.
Debates can be a tipping point in close elections. That's because they are the first time Americans see the candidates together - on the same stage - discussing the same issues, but explaining why their ideas are better than those of their opponents."
Every four years, presidential candidates spar at three debates - the first debate attracts the largest audience. Another is a town hall with questions from the audience. President Obama appeared relaxed in that debate four years ago.
But many agree Mitt 9 Romney is a skilled speaker, especially when he's prepared.
- 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。
- 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。
- The door was partially concealed by the drapes.门有一部分被门帘遮住了。
- The police managed to restore calm and the curfew was partially lifted.警方设法恢复了平静，宵禁部分解除。
- It must be very costly to keep up a house like this.维修这么一幢房子一定很昂贵。
- This dictionary is very useful,only it is a bit costly.这本词典很有用，左不过贵了些。
- He defeated the incumbent governor by a large plurality.他以压倒多数票击败了现任州长。
- It is incumbent upon you to warn them.你有责任警告他们。
- They were guarding the bridge,so we forded the river.他们驻守在那座桥上，所以我们只能涉水过河。
- If you decide to ford a stream,be extremely careful.如果已决定要涉过小溪，必须极度小心。
- Zhukov was a marshal of the former Soviet Union.朱可夫是前苏联的一位元帅。
- Germany began to attack the Soviet Union in 1941.德国在1941年开始进攻苏联。