Comprehension

[jiang]

Dear teachers,

I have four questions to ask:

No.1
If presidents tend to speak one way and act another it is due less to some inborn flaw shared by the various personalities who occupy the office than to the nature of the office itself.

The translation of the textbook is:

Presidents do so is because of/ caused by their inborn flaw shared by the various personalities rather than the office itself.

I don't think this is correct. I think it should be the other way:

Predidents do so is office itself rather than their inborn flaw shared by the various peronalities who occupy the office. Is that right?

No.2
On infrequent occasions the president may oppose the interests of individual companies.
The sentence should mean 'The president may oppose the interests of individual companies but not frequently'. Is that right?
No.3
'On even more infrequent occasions' means 'on rare occasions'. Is that right?
No. 3
He might do battle with an industry like steel, as did Kennedy.
'as did Kennedy' means 'just as Kennedy did'. Is that right? Could you please explain why should it be inverted? I have never seen such inversion.

Looking forwared to hearing from you.
Thank you in advance.

Jiang

[Tdol]

1 It's the office; you're right. The translation is a bit garbled.
2 Yes
3 = in the way Kennedy did. The inversion is optional.

[jiang]

Dear Tdol,

Thank you very much for your explanation. Now I see.

I don't know when you'll take a rest and enjoy Christmas. To make sure you'll receive this I'd like to say now:

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

Jiang

Originally Posted by Tdol

1 It's the office; you're right. The translation is a bit garbled.
2 Yes
3 = in the way Kennedy did. The inversion is optional.

[Tdol]

It's a normal working day here in Japan, but Happy Christmas, Jiang.