雙語新聞:布什行政當局為其經濟政策辯護
The Bush administration is defending its handling of the U.S. economy at a time of growing public unease. During a series of interviews on American television Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson stressed the government will do what it takes to maintain stability in the financial system.
在公眾對經濟形勢越來越感到不安的時候，布什政府為處理美國經濟的作法進行辯護。在接受美國電視臺采訪的一系列節目中，財政部長保爾森強調說，政府將盡一切努力保持財政體系的穩定。
The White House is waging an all-out effort to ease election year fears about the economy.
白宮正在做出一切努力來平息人們在大選年對經濟的擔憂。
Polls show it is the number-one issue on the minds of most Americans, and from the president on down administration figures are seeking to reassure the public.
調查顯示，這是大多數美國人心中的頭等大事。現在從總統到其他政府領導人都在尋求安撫民心。
They stress the fundamentals of the economy are sound, and steps are being taken to ensure the current slowdown is temporary. A stimulus package of tax rebates and small business incentives has been signed into law.
行政當局說，經濟的基本面是健康的，政府也在采取步驟保證讓經濟增長減緩的現象在短期內結束。一個退稅和鼓勵小型企業的刺激經濟的一攬子計劃已經由總統簽署成為法律。
And on Friday, the U.S. central bank helped strengthen a major investment firm facing collapse. The firm - Bear Stearns - was caught up in the crisis in the home mortgage market.
星期五，美國中央銀行幫助穩固了一個面臨垮臺的主要投資公司貝爾斯登，這個公司被住房貸款市場危機壓得喘不過氣來。
On CNN's Late Edition program, Treasury Secretary Paulson said the action taken by the Federal Reserve was warranted.
在有線電視新聞網的夜間節目中，財長保爾森說，美聯儲采取的行動是有根據的。
"Our number-one priority with everything we are doing in the economic arena is to minimize instability, minimize spill over into the real economy, and I think that is pretty clear from the actions you have seen the government take," said Paulson.
他說：“在我們為經濟領域所作的一切努力中的當務之急，就是把不穩定因素降至最低，把它對經濟的影響降到最低，我認為從你看到政府采取的行動中，這一點是非常清楚的。”
Paulson said officials are continuing to keep a close watch on the turmoil on the financial markets, but declined to say if the government would step in again to rescue an investment firm.
保爾森說，政府官員繼續保持對金融市場動蕩的密切關注，但是同時拒絕說明政府會不會再次插手來挽救投資公司。
Instead, he tried to keep the focus on the positive. During an appearance on ABC's This Week program, he expressed confidence that the financial markets would work their way out of the current crisis.
不過他試圖集中討論積極因素。在美國廣播公司這個星期的節目中，保爾森對金融市場會最終走出目前的危機表達了他的信心。
