be in full swing

大統領選に関しての記事です。外交政策が一つの鍵となり、対中国への姿勢も候補者の争点となっている模様です。

(CNN) -- You know the presidential election is in full swing when politicians are getting tough on China. While both Democrats and Republicans promise to do just that, it is the Obama administration, being in the driver's seat, that has been leading the charge.

On Monday, the Obama administration filed a trade case against China at the World Trade Organization, arguing that it provides subsidies to its auto and auto parts industries that hurt American manufacturers.

If you had any doubts that the new complaint against unfair Chinese trade practices is part and parcel of the election campaign, consider these factors.

http://edition.cnn.com/2012/09/21/opinion/shenkar-china-trade/index.html?hpt=ias_r1

full swingに関しては以前も先生のゼミの先輩が書かれていたので、リンクさせて頂きます。(http://d.hatena.ne.jp/A30/20110102/1293896634)

LDOCEには"if an event or process is in full swing, it has reached its highest level of activity"とあり、「（イベントや出来事が）たけなわである」状態を示し、「選挙戦が本格化している」という意味です。in full bloomやin full gearなど、ほかにも同じ意味を表すことばはありますが、Latinのswingan（「突進する」）を語源とするswingを使うことで候補者が勝利に向けて「突き進んでいる」感じが出ると思います。(Minnesota)