2008美國大選結(jié)果已經(jīng)揭曉，下面就一起來學詞匯，關注我們期待已久的“2008大選”。

The results of the 2008 U.S. election have been announced. Let's learn the vocabulary and pay attention to the long-awaited "2008 election".

Air war：空中大戰(zhàn)

Air War: Air War

美國總統(tǒng)候選人為盡可能爭奪電視與廣播中的廣告而發(fā)起的競爭活動。

A campaign by a US presidential candidate to compete as much as possible for advertisements on television and radio.

Balancing the ticket：優(yōu)勢互補候選人名單

Balancing the ticket: list of complementary candidates

當候選人贏得黨內(nèi)總統(tǒng)提名之后，他/她一定要挑選一名副手。而這名副手一定要彌補總統(tǒng)候選人的不足，從而優(yōu)勢互補增加獲勝的砝碼。比如在2000年的大選中，人們認為小布什相對年輕且缺乏從政經(jīng)驗，所以他挑選了越戰(zhàn)老兵切尼為副手。

When a candidate wins the party's presidential nomination, he or she must choose an deputy. The Deputy must make up for the lack of presidential candidates, so as to increase the weight of winning. For example, in the 2000 election, Bush was considered relatively young and inexperienced in politics, so he chose Cheney, a Vietnam veteran, as his deputy.

Ballot initiative：公民投票

Ballot initiative: referendum

美國舉行聯(lián)邦及地方選舉時，各州通常會同時舉行一些關系公共政策及社會民生提案的公民投票。

When federal and local elections are held in the United States, states usually hold simultaneous referendums on public policy and social livelihood proposals.

Battleground states：戰(zhàn)場州

Battleground states: battleground states

從民意調(diào)查結(jié)果中看不出哪位候選人占據(jù)明顯優(yōu)勢的州。與之類似的詞是swing states（搖擺州）。有專家認為大選的最終結(jié)果將取決于這些州把選票投給了誰，因此候選人常在這些州展開激烈角逐。

The results of the poll do not show which state has a clear advantage. A similar word is swing states. Some experts believe that the final result of the election will depend on who these states vote for, so candidates often compete fiercely in these states.

Bellshepherd state：領頭州

Bellshepherd state: leading state

從歷史上來看，這個州的選舉結(jié)果也就預測了將來的總統(tǒng)大選獲勝者。因為，從人口上講，這個州的選舉情況也就是整個國家選舉的縮影。最經(jīng)典的一個領頭州就是密蘇里州，除了1956年，此州在歷屆選舉中都沒有錯過。Bellshepherd一詞原意是牧羊犬。

Historically, the state's election results have predicted future presidential winners. Because, in terms of population, the state's election situation is the epitome of the national election. One of the most classic leading states is Missouri, which was not missed in every election except 1956. The original meaning of bellshepherd is sheepdog.

Beltway：環(huán)形公路

Beltway: Ring Road

從政治上來講，這個詞主要指的是在華盛頓特區(qū)繞城高速公路(495號州際公路)內(nèi)執(zhí)行的國會事務，比如：“環(huán)形公路事物”特指某項政治事務或爭議非常重要，它只限于政界，對于公眾來說沒有什么意義。

Politically, the term mainly refers to congressional affairs carried out on the Washington, D.C. Ring Road (Interstate 495). For example, "Ring Road affairs" refers to a political matter or controversy which is very important. It is limited to politics and has little significance for the public.

Bill of rights：權(quán)利法案

Bill of rights

即憲法修正案的前十條。1791年，《權(quán)力法案》在美國11個州獲得通過，從而成為美國憲法的一部分。法案中大部分條款是對政府施加限制--規(guī)定聯(lián)邦政府所不能做的事。

The first ten articles of the constitution amendment. In 1791, the bill of rights was passed in 11 states of the United States and became part of the constitution of the United States. Most of the bill's provisions impose restrictions on the government - things the federal government cannot do.

Blue state：藍色州

Blue state: blue state

特指此州選民傾向支持民主黨。

Specifically, voters in this state tend to support the Democratic Party.

Brokered convention: 討價還價會議

Brokered Convention: Bargaining meeting

在初選或者黨代表大會的第一輪投票中，旨在獲得該黨提名的候選人未獲得大多數(shù)選票時，這次會議就被稱之為“討價還價會議”。提名事宜將會在接下來的投票中繼續(xù)進行，有時會出現(xiàn)一些幕后交易，從而使候選人能夠得到足夠支持。

In the primary election or the first round of the Party Congress, when the candidates nominated by the party do not get the majority of votes, this meeting is called "bargaining meeting". Nominations will continue in the next vote, sometimes behind the scenes, so that candidates can get enough support.