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From Classroom Teachers | General ideas for using clips
Campaign specific
Why has Sen. Kerry’s campaign given such a visible role to former Pres. Bill Clinton? In what other states is Pres. Clinton scheduled to appear in support of Sen. Kerry? Why did Vice Pres. Al Gore distance himself from Pres. Clinton in the 2000 election rather than having the President campaign on his behalf? Did V.P. Gore make the right decision? Why is Pres. Clinton’s image today different than it was during the 2000 election? Do you think Pres. Clinton’s support will help or hurt Sen. Kerry along the campaign trail? According to The Washington Times, former New York Mayor Rudolph Giuliani is campaigning with Pres. Bush this week. Why did Pres. Bush’s campaign choose Rudi Giuliani to campaign for him this week?
 Media literacy In his video clip, Pres. Clinton praises Sen. Kerry’s hopeful message as opposed to Pres. Bush’s message of fear. Pres. Clinton says that Sen. Kerry has “hopes for America,” plans for America,” and a “commitment to prosperity.” Judging from your knowledge of both candidates, do you believe one candidate relies more on a message of hope while the other relies on scare tactics? Given the state of the country and the world, do voters want a president whose reality is one of hope or a president whose reality is one of fear? Also, does Pres. Clinton’s appearance with Sen. Kerry make Sen. Kerry look more or less “presidential.” How important is a candidate’s ability to appear “presidential?” (Consider the image of John F. Kennedy in 1960 and Ronald Reagan in 1980.)
More ideas With one week to go in the election, will Pres. Clinton’s appearance on the campaign trail make a difference to voters? Imagine you are a strategist for the Kerry/Edwards team. In which states would you send Pres. Clinton to campaign? In which states would Pres. Clinton gain votes for the Kerry/Edwards team? In what city and state did Pres. Clinton’s speech in the clip take place? Will Pres. Clinton’s message “hit home” for voters there?
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