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Wednesday, September 22, 2004
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(7 min)
Watch entire program (30 min)
 USA Today San Francisco Chronicle
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Representative George Miller (D-CA) discusses the House Democrats' "New Partnership for America's Future" document. The announcement of the Democratic plan coincides with the 10th anniversary of the Republican’s "Contract for America," a plan conceived by the GOP when it gained control over the majority of the House in 1994. House Democrats hope that their new Partnership will lead them toward gaining more seats in the upcoming election. The clip begins at 00:04 and ends at 06:41.
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From Classroom Teachers | General ideas for using clips
Campaign specific What are the goals of the New Partnership for America’s Future and the core values behind them? You may refer to the press release from the office of Democratic Majority Leader Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-CA). With the election six weeks away, why might House Democrats feel the need to form a standard agenda for the party (that can fit in a wallet)? To which socio-economic group is the plan aimed? Do you think the New Partnership will help the Democrats win more seats in the election? What are Rep. Miller’s complaints about the Republican-controlled House of Representatives? How many Democrats are currently in the House? How many Republicans?
 Media literacy Some argue that the New Partnership may prove to be irrelevant in the election given that the war in Iraq is the main issue concerning voters. To this argument, Rep. Miller claims that “pundits” want to dismiss most efforts to develop the Democrats’ plan. Who are the pundits? What role do they play in politics and the election? According to Rep. Miller, what elements of the Democrats’ plan aim at strengthening national security and at the effort in Iraq?
More ideas The 1994 Republican Contract with America ushered in a decade of Republican control in the House of Representatives. (Prior to 1994, the Democrats had controlled the House for four decades.) Read the text of the contract. Why was it so appealing? Rep. Miller maintains the Republicans have not honored the contract. He further argues that the contract was never one with the American people, rather it was contract within the Republican Party. Do you agree or disagree? Have the Republicans met the terms of the contract?
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