2015考研英语阅读奥巴马与共和党_大学英语阅读

2015考研英语阅读奥巴马与共和党

　　This time, Mr President, you are playing Goliath

　　这次，总统阁下，您的对手是巨无霸

　　In terms of the horse race, an incumbent presidentusually has a head start. While the Republicansspend the next year clobbering each other, MrObama can appear statesmanlike and husband hisresources. His approval rating is in the 50s, betterthan Bill Clintons at this stage in the proceedings in1995, before he went on to score a solid victoryagainst Bob Dole in 1996.

　　以赛马为例，在任的总统常常会领先一头。在共和党人相互攻击的时候，奥巴马先生将表现其政治家风范并有效利用其资源使出浑身解数。他的支持率在50多左右，比克林顿在1995年处于同样阶段时要好，而克林顿随后在1996年的选举中击败多尔获得连任。

　　But whereas that Clinton race should encourage Mr Obama, the previous one should worryhim. In spring 1991 George Bush senior was coasting towards re-election; by November 1992the president was toastand the main reason was a sluggish economy. This recovery, in thewake of the worst financial shock since 1929, is even slower. Growth in the first quarter was afeeble 1.8%. The unemployment rate actually rose, to 9.1%, in May: the rate of job creationis barely keeping track with the natural increase in the working-age population. Twice as manyAmericans think the country is on the wrong track as the right one. Many of the places whereAmericans feel angriest are battleground states: Florida, Michigan and Ohio all saw bigRepublican gains in the 2010 mid-terms.