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How are candidates
addressing issues during the 2004 campaign? What policies are they emphasizing? What voters are they trying to win over? Explore the ways the candidates support and argue their point of view on policy. Watch selected C-SPAN video featuring both John Kerry and George W. Bush and their advisors to get started on a study of the way the candidates are shaping their messages on issues. Extend your study (on these issues or others) with the most recent video from C-SPAN's 2004 Vote coverage and other media sources. Then, for each issue, compare the candidates and determine your own point of view by responding to the comprehension and analysis questions and completing the
worksheet.
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George W. Bush and John
Kerry say their policies will spur
growth and improve the overall economy with specific attention to jobs, taxes, deficit spending and social security. The economy, as it relates to the budget, is an issue that is also closely tied with other policies. Through this issue, the candidates have the opportunity to reach a variety of different groups of voters in an area that makes a difference in their day-to-day lives.
| Candidates on the Economy | |
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·Kerry 3/26/04, 3 min.
·Whole Program, 39 min
·Kerry Advisor, 6/17/04,
1 min.
·Whole Program, 30 min.
1. According to John Kerry, what is the "middle class squeeze"?
2. What has Kerry specifically identified as a result of the "middle class sqeeze" and what has he proposed in response?
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 ·Bush, 7/02/04, 3 min.
·Whole Program, 45 min.
·Bush Advisor, 6/16/04, 1 min.
·Whole Program, 30 min.
1. Why does Bush believe taxes should be kept low, according to Bush-Cheney '04 Policy Director Tim Adams?
2. Summarize George W. Bush's overall approach to tax cuts.
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Candidates on the Economy
1. To whom would John Kerry offer tax cuts?
Why? To whom would George W. Bush offer tax cuts? Why?
2. How does each candidate view the budget deficit?
3. How does each candidate address the issue of job creation?
4. How might other events or issues impact the candidates' positions on the economy?
5. To what degree are the candidates' views aligned with those of their political party?
6. What predictions do you have about how the candidates will continue to address the economy as the campaign progresses? What aren't the candidates saying?
7. What kind of research, on the issue and/or their positions might help you in evaluating their campaign message(s) on the economy?
Learn more on
this issue:
Bush-Cheney Campaign page on the Economy
Kerry-Edwards Campaign page on the Economy
C-SPAN's 2004 Vote Archive
Media Links
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"No Child Left Behind" is the major education initiative of George W. Bush's administration and received a "yes" vote from Senator John Kerry. As the two candidates outline their differences on education for the voters in the 2004 election, consider what each is saying on how "No Child Left Behind" has impacted schools, teachers and students across the country and what the future should hold with regard to federal invovlement in the issue of education.
| Candidates on Education | |
 ·Kerry, 6/21/03, 1 min.
·Whole Program, 1 hr. 50 min.
·Kerry Advisor, 7/19/04, 3 min.
·Whole Program, 30 min. |
 ·Bush, 5/25/04, 1 min.
·Whole Program, 1 hr.
·Bush Advisor, 7/19/04, 4 min.
·Whole Program, 30 min.
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| 1. Explain the proposed national trust fund.
2. Outline John Kerry's education plan.
3. How is Kerry's plan different than the Bush Administration plan?
4. What criticism does Kerry have about the Bush implementation of the No Child Left Behind act?
5. What does Kerry feel is wrong with education and what are his
solutions?
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1. According to Deputy Education Secretary Hickok, what has been wrong with previous educational plans and funding?
2. What are the goals of the "No Child Left Behind" act?
3. What does the Bush Administration think about Kerry's education reform ideas such as the trust fund?
4. What is Deputy Education Secretary Hickok's opinion about increased testing under the "No Child Left Behind" act?
5. According to Bush what is most important about his education
plan?
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Candidates on
Education
1. What are the differences between the Bush and Kerry approach to education?
2. To what groups of people might each of their views appeal?
3. What is the role of the federal government in education, versus the states' role? How is that reflected in the candidates' views?
4. To what degree are the candidates' views aligned with those of their political party?
5. How will the candidates continue to address (or not address) this issue during the campaign?
6. What kind of research, on the issue and/or their positions might help you in evaluating their campaign message(s) on education?
Learn more on
this issue:
Bush-Cheney Campaign page on education
Kerry-Edwards Campaign page on education
C-SPAN's 2004 Vote Archive
Media Links
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Homeland Security has become a dominant issue since the terrorist attacks of 9/11. Candidates' messages address internal issues like the control of borders and the strength of police forces to concerns outside our borders like relations with international allies. And, for many, the needs for security have to be balanced with civil liberties. While the goal of "homeland security" may appeal to all voters, the candidates have to show that their policies and priorities can achieve it.
| Candidates on Security | |
 ·Kerry 5/27/04, 2 min.
·Whole Program, 35 min.
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 ·Bush, 3/02/04 2 min.
·Whole Program, 20 min. |
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1. What
are the four principles components of John Kerry's approach to national security?
2. What overall goals does Kerry believe should our national security plan be attempting to achieve?
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1. List the focuses of homeland security for George W. Bush.
2. What is
the mission of homeland security, other than
protection from
terrorists? |
Candidates on Security
1. How are national security and homeland security related?
2. How do the goals of civil liberties conflict with those of secuity in some people's minds?
3. After comparing the Kerry/Bush speeches on homeland security, what are the similarities in the approaches of the two candidates? What are the differences?
4. What segments of the electorate does each candidates attempt to reach through this issue?
5. To what degree are the candidates' views aligned with those of their political party?
6. How will the candidates continue to address (or not address) this issue during the campaign?
7. What kind of research, on the issue and/or their positions might help you in evaluating their campaign message(s) on security?
Learn more on this issue:
Bush - Cheney page on Homeland Security
Kerry - Edwards page on
Homeland Security
C-SPAN's 2004 Vote Archive
Media Links |
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Although the military action in Iraq enjoyed broadbased and popular support at its start, it has increasingly been at the center of political debate. Issues such as the justification for war, its management and costs have been addressed by both candidates. In particular, day-to-day news reports of violence keep this issue current on the campaign.
| Candidates on Iraq | Watch Iraq Clips |
 ·Kerry, 10/09/02, 5 min.
·Whole Program, 1 hr.
·Kerry, 4/30/04, 3 min. (3 parts)
·Whole Program, 42 min.
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 ·Bush, 10/07/02, 4 min.
·Whole Program, 1 hr.
·Bush, 3/19/04, 3 min.
·Whole Program, 24 min.
·Bush, 6/16/04, 5 min.
·Whole Program, 45 min.
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1. In his speech to the Senate (10/07/02) state three reasons that John Kerry gives to support the possible use of military force against Iraq.
2. In a more recent speech (4/30/04), Kerry explains his plans for dealing with Iraq in the aftermath of the war. Identify three key points.
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1. State three reasons that Bush believed a war against Iraq was necessary.
2. According to Bush (3/19/04) has the war in Iraq been successful? Explain how so.
3. After viewing Bush's speech (6/16/04), explain how Bush views the war.
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Candidates on Iraq:
1. Analyze the clips as a
group. Do either candidate's views of and message regarding the
war change?
Explain.
2. How are the views of Bush and Kerry similar? How are they different? Explain.
3. What overall message are the candidates now giving about the war? How are they addressing the war as a campaign issue?
4. To what degree are the
candidates views aligned with those of their political
party?
5. How will the candidates continue to address (or not address) this issue during the campaign?
6. What kind of research, on the issue and/or their positions might help you in evaluating their campaign message(s) on Iraq?
Learn more on this Issue:
Bush - Cheney page on National Security (search keyword "Iraq")
Kerry - Edwards page on Iraq
C-SPAN's 2004 Vote Archive
Media Links
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