English Quiz 116

English Quiz 116

1. But voters — and not just Democrats but independents and even many Republicans — were looking for something else. The result: some of the lowest sustained job-approval ratings for the President in the history of polling and a G.O.P. wipeout in the November elections. Exit polls suggested corruption mattered most to voters, but professionals from both parties agree that deep discontent over the Iraq war — and a loss of faith in those leading it — powered the Democrats to victory.
Q: 試翻 "Exit polls suggested ... powered the Democrats to victory."

2. The dream team, meanwhile, disbanded. Cheney disappeared for a few weeks, and Rumsfeld was fired. Republicans who lost the majority in the Senate were miffed that Bush waited to pull the trigger, particularly because Rumsfeld had long since shed his other allies within the White House when the President finally pushed him from the Pentagon after the midterms. The delay may have had something to do with Rumsfeld's key ally: Bush had chosen Rumsfeld on Cheney's advice over the objections of his dad, the 41st President. So when the younger Bush nominated Robert Gates, his father's CIA chief, to replace Rumsfeld, the move was seen as a repudiation of the Vice President as well.
Q: 試翻 "So when the younger Bush ... as well."

3. If there was any doubt of that, Gates ended it during his confirmation hearing in early December. With astonishing candor, Gates testified that the U.S. had failed to send enough troops to stabilize Iraq — contradicting years of assertions by Bush, Cheney and Rumsfeld. Asked if the U.S. was winning the war, Gates replied, "No, sir." For the White House, it was the beginning of wisdom. But only just. Bush and Cheney are a long, long way from either a turnaround in their political fortunes or, far more important, a solution to the Iraq fiasco.
Q: 試翻 "With astonishing candor, ... by Bush, Cheney and Rumsfeld."