VOA常速英语:Republican Presidential Hopefuls Focus on Obama, Economy

短语讲解：

1. Following their first major presidential debate, Republican White House contenders have made it clear they intend to make the 2012 U.S. presidential election a referendum on President Barack Obama's handling of the domestic economy.

make it clear弄清楚
例句：Many studies make it clear that sleep deprivation is dangerous.
多实验都证实了睡眠剥夺的危险。
presidential election总统选举

2. Political analysts say the strategy is no surprise and could make for a very close election next year.

make for有利于, 致使
例句：Cleanliness makes for good health.
讲究卫生有助于增进健康。

3. Seven Republican contenders took part in the presidential debate, and political analysts generally gave the higher grades to former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney and Minnesota Congresswoman Michele Bachmann.

take part in参加…, 参与…活动
例句：The panel was chosen to take part in discussion.
那个专门小组被选中参加讨论。

4. Michele Bachmann officially joined the presidential race during Monday's debate and experts said she made a strong initial impression even though less well known that Romney nationally.

even though即使、虽然
例句：He's the best teacher even though he has the least experience.
尽管他经验最少, 但教得最好。

5. Bachmann has appeal to two important groups within the Republican Party-Evangelical Christians and supporters of the Tea Party movement pushing for smaller government and a repeal of President Obama's health care law.

push for急切、强烈地要求, 为…奋力争取
例句：People living near the airport are pushing for new rules about night flight.
住在机场附近的人们正强烈要求制订出夜航班机的新规。

6. As president of the United States I will not rest until I repeal 'Obamacare.'

not until直到...才...
例句：The party did not end until midnight.
晚会到半夜才结束。

7. The Republican contenders focused their rhetorical fire on President Obama and not each other, at least for now, signaling they intend to make Obama's handling of the economy the central issue in next year's campaign.

focus on集中于，致力于
例句：All eyes were focused on him when he came in.
他进来时大家都注视着他。

8. Recent polls indicate President Obama's approval ratings have slipped slightly after surging last month in the wake of the killing of al-Qaida leader Osama bin Laden.

in the wake of尾随,紧跟,仿效
例句：Misery follows in the wake of war.
苦难随着战争而来。

9. Political analysts say bad economic news is to blame, especially the recent tick up in the jobless rate to 9.1 percent.

be to blame对某事应负责任的; 应受责备的
例句：You are to blame for the accident.
你对这件意外应该负责。

10. I think we are headed for a real race.

head for朝…进发
例句：He put on his coat and headed for the door.
他穿上大衣向门口走去。