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From Classroom Teachers | General ideas for using clips
Campaign specific
Research the roles third parties have played throughout American history and the impact they have had on major political parties. Consider Socialist Party candidate Eugene V. Debs in the early 20th century, the Progressive Party candidate Theodore Roosevelt in 1912, and Independent candidate George Wallace in 1968. What impact did Ralph Nader have in the 2000 election? What distinguishes third parties from the two major political parties? Why do third parties have less of a presence in the campaign season? How does Mr. Nader’s rhetoric compare to that of the other candidates? Is it more combative? More conciliatory? How effective is Mr. Nader’s message as well as his presence in the election? Why are Democrats concerned about Mr. Nader’s presence in the election? According to the San Francisco Chronicle article, which states are of particular concern?
 Media literacy Have you seen Ralph Nader campaigning or giving a speech during this campaign season? If you were a network executive at a major news network such as CNN or Fox News, would you allow prime-time news coverage for a Nader speech? Why or why not? Should Mr. Nader receive the same media attention as Sen. Kerry and Pres. Bush?
More ideas Many believe that Ralph Nader’s presence as the Green Party candidate in the 2000 election made it possible for George W. Bush to “steal” the presidency from Al Gore. Do you think that Mr. Nader will have a “spoiler role” in this election? Could he steal the election from Sen. Kerry? It is a popular consensus that Nader voters would vote for the Democratic candidate if Mr. Nader were not running. Given Mr. Nader’s grievances against both Sen. Kerry and Pres. Bush, do you think more Nader voters would vote for Sen. Kerry or Pres. Bush as an alternative? Is Mr. Nader equally critical of the Democratic and Republican parties, or he is more critical of one party? Are his criticisms justified? Ralph Nader appears as the Independent presidential candidate on ballots in 34 states. Should reforms be put in place to make it easier for third party candidates to participate in the electoral process?
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