English Original
After a lengthy election campaign, the 2008 U.S. presidential election concluded with Barack Obama making history. This event generated extensive media coverage and introduced a set of high-frequency vocabulary related to the American electoral process. Understanding these terms and the system they describe enriches one's socio-cultural knowledge and language skills.
Contrary to popular belief, the U.S. President is not elected by direct popular vote. The Constitution establishes the Electoral College system. On Election Day, voters cast ballots that determine 538 electors representing the 50 states and the District of Columbia. A candidate needs a majority—at least 270 electoral votes—to win the presidency. In 2008, Obama secured 349 electoral votes (62,754,669 popular votes) to John McCain's 161 (55,601,950 popular votes).
Unlike the contested 2000 election, Obama's win was decisive, a landslide victory (or sweeping victory).
Key electoral vocabulary includes:
- Cast one's ballot/vote: To vote.
- Ballot box: The container for votes.
- Vote for/against: To support or oppose a candidate.
- Concede defeat: To admit loss publicly.
- Concession speech: The speech given by the losing candidate.
Example (AP, Nov 5, 2008):
McCain Concedes Defeat
In his concession speech, John McCain expressed admiration for Barack Obama's ability to inspire.
Although elected, Obama had to wait until the following January 20 to take office, as mandated by the Constitution. During this period, he was the president-elect. On Inauguration Day, he was sworn in at a swearing-in ceremony on Capitol Hill, presided over by the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court. The act of formally beginning a presidency is to inaugurate a president, who then delivers an inauguration speech.
A notable headline captured the challenges awaiting him: "President-elect Barack Obama will inherit on Jan. 20 the worst financial crisis in 70 years and two wars."
中文翻译
经过漫长的竞选活动，2008年美国总统大选以巴拉克·奥巴马创造历史而告终。这一事件引发了媒体的广泛报道，并带来了一系列与美国选举程序相关的高频词汇。理解这些术语及其描述的体系，能够丰富学习者的社会文化知识和语言技能。
与普遍看法相反，美国总统并非由选民直选产生。宪法确立了选举人团制度。在大选日，选民投票选出代表50个州和哥伦比亚特区的538名选举人。候选人需要获得多数票——至少270张选举人票——才能赢得总统职位。2008年，奥巴马获得了349张选举人票（62,754,669张普选票），而约翰·麦凯恩获得了161张（55,601,950张普选票）。
与存在争议的2000年大选不同，奥巴马的胜利是决定性的，是一场压倒性的胜利。
关键的选举词汇包括：
- Cast one's ballot/vote: 投票。
- Ballot box: 投票箱。
- Vote for/against: 投票支持/反对某位候选人。
- Concede defeat: （公开）承认失败。
- Concession speech: 败选演说。
示例（美联社，2008年11月5日）：
麦凯恩承认败选
约翰·麦凯恩在他的败选演说中，表达了对巴拉克·奥巴马激励人心的能力的钦佩。
虽然当选，但根据宪法规定，奥巴马必须等到次年1月20日才能就职。在此期间，他的身份是当选总统（候任总统）。在就职日，他将在国会山举行的宣誓就职仪式上，在最高法院首席大法官的主持下宣誓就职。正式开启总统任期的行为称为举行就职典礼，总统随后会发表就职演说。
一则著名的新闻标题概括了他即将面临的挑战：“当选总统巴拉克·奥巴马将在1月20日继承70年来最严重的金融危机和两场战争。”