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From Classroom Teachers | General ideas for using clips
Campaign specific Discuss the effectiveness
of Elizabeth Edwards as a campaigner. Does she convey the Democratic
message successfully? Is she credible? Compare/contrast Mrs.
Edwards’ appearance with other campaign events made by Laura Bush,
Lynn Cheney, and Teresa Heinz Kerry. Then, think about the roles
spouses have played the past along the campaign trail. For example,
what impact (positive and negative) did Eleanor Roosevelt, Jackie
Kennedy, Nancy Reagan, and Hillary Rodham Clinton have on their
husbands’ campaigns and, later, on their careers as presidents? Are
candidates’ wives more like "window dressers" for their husbands, or
do they stand as equal partners on the campaign trail?
 Media literacy Health care has become one
of several major issues in the 2004 race. Over the past several
years, health care costs have risen to the point that many Americans
can no longer afford coverage. Do you know anyone who has lost-or is
at risk of losing-their health care? Evaluate Sen. Kerry’s position
on health care. (If you would like to learn more, watch Mrs.
Edwards’ event in full or visit www.johnkerry.com .) Do you think it
could work? Then, evaluate Pres. Bush’s health care plan. How do the
two compare? Is it government’s responsibility to provide health
care? Or should one’s health care plan be between the individual and
medical insurance companies?
More ideas Pres. Bush often tells the
story of how he when he asked Laura Bush to marry him, she made him
promise her that she would never have to give a speech. Why does the
President tell this story in his campaign speeches? Recent polls
have shown that Laura Bush is more well-liked among voters than
Teresa Heinz Kerry. Does this factor into voters’ decisions as to
which presidential candidate they will choose? Should it be a
factor? Think about presidents whose wives did not take an active
role in their campaigns and/or careers. Did they effect the
presidency? When we elect the president, are we voting for the
candidates, or are we voting for the husband-wife team?
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