C-SPAN.ORG/CLASSROOM

	Campaign 2008
	110th Congress
	Bush Administration
	Supreme Court
	Energy
	Iraq
	Response to Terrorism


C-SPAN SERIES

	America & the Courts
	American Perspectives
	Booknotes
	Book TV \| Schedule
	The Communicators
	Newsmakers
	Prime Minister's Questions
	Q&A
	Road to the White House
	Washington Journal


C-SPAN RADIO >>

	Radio \| Schedule
	American Political Archive
	LBJ White House Tapes


OTHER C-SPAN SITES

	American Presidents
	American Writers
	Book TV
	Booknotes
	C-SPAN Classroom
	Campaign 2008 Bus
	C-SPAN Video Library
	Capital News
	The Capitol
	Capitol Hearings
	Lincoln 200 Years
	Must Carry
	Politics
	Presidential Libraries
	Q&A
	Students & Leaders
	Tocqueville


NEED HELP?

	Download RealPlayer
	Download Windows Player
	Problems With Video?
	C-SPAN Copyright Policy
	Contact Us

Road to the White House Mini-Lesson
TOPIC: CAMPAIGN ISSUES
CREDIT: This lesson was created by Mary Beth Albert, Woodland Middle School, Taylor Mill, KY
STANDARD: Political Communication

TOPIC: CAMPAIGN ISSUES - THE ECONOMY & HEALTH CARE (John Kerry)
Event Date: 1/25/04 | Air Date: 1/25/04 |

Watch entire program

links in the lesson |

Lesson Index

OVERVIEW
In the following video clips John Kerry very briefly discusses his plan for health care and his plans to restore the economy and rebuild jobs. At the end of the second clip, the candidate recommends viewers visit his website for more information. Using video clips from this John Kerry campaign event, as well as explorations of John Kerry's and Howard Dean's websites, this lesson will do two things: 1. Investigate some of the issues on the campaign trail 2. Investigate the impact of the style of presentation on the candidates' web sites by comparing Howard Dean's message on jobs and health care with that of John Kerry.	Video Clip 1 - John Kerry in New Hampshire (health care) Clip 2 - John Kerry in New Hampshire (economy) Watch entire Event with John Kerry
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
1. What are the provisions of his health care bill? Why does he think he can pass this bill? Why will this bill be attractive to insurance companies, employers and employees alike? Who might not agree with the proposals? How will he fund this bill? 2. What are some of John Kerry's proposals related to the economy and jobs? According to John Kerry, who is part of the problem? Who is part of the solution? 3. What is the crowd reaction to the topics? to John Kerry? 4. What types of voters might be most interested in the issue of jobs being "exported"? in issues related to paying for college? in health care? 5. How does John Kerry try to "connect" with his audience on the issues of the economy and health care? List as many ways as you observe in these clips.
STUDENT ACTIVITY
Go to the website of at least one other candidate (for a contrast in style, select Howard Dean.) What are the similarities and differences in their proposals on health care and the economy? Is one more comprehensive than the other? How does each of the candidates propose to fund their plans? Are there any differences in the way the two proposals are written? Do the differences in the style in which they are written effect the way the content is perceived? APPLY YOUR KNOWLEDGE: Summarize your findings about the style of political communication used by these two candidates on issues important to voters. Work in pairs to write two paragraphs: one paragraph summarizing the candidates' positions on issues and one on style differences. Be prepared to discuss findings in the larger class group.

C-SPAN in the Classroom
FREE membership service

Curriculum Advisory Team

Road to the White House
C-SPAN's weekly look at the candidates, issues and events that shape the 2004 Presidential race.

2004 Vote
Information about presidential and congressional candidates running in the 2004 election.

3 Branches of Government
Learn about the legislative, judicial and executive branches of the U.S. government.

Vocabulary & Definitions
Check back for more terms as the campaign progresses.

Standard-Based Topics
Review standard-based topics with
C-SPAN in the Classroom's 2004 Vote web resources.

Campaigns & Elections Home
Link from here to all of our Vote 2004 Resources for the classroom.

Classroom Resources
Search our teaching resources by curriculum topic.

FEATURED DISCUSSION
Find Out about C-SPAN's Community. Enter Discussion Central & discuss with community members.

IN THE COMMUNITY