Road to the White House Mini-Lesson
TOPIC: Issues & Youth CREDIT: This lesson was written by Michael Hutchison of Vincennes Community Schools,
Vincennes, IN and Chris Carrier of Harden Middle School Salinas, CA.
TOPIC: ISSUES & YOUTH
Event Date: 2/14/04 |
Air Date: 2/15/04 | Watch entire program links in the lesson | Lesson Index
OVERVIEW
Vanessa Kerry, daughter of presidential candidate John Kerry answered questions from supporters and voters in a coffeehouse in Madison, Wisconsin. Topics discussed included John Kerry's positions on healthcare reform, veterans' benefits, women's rights to family planning and right to choose, tax reform, a National Service plan for students, reducing the national debt, the Iraqi war, and education reform. Using this clip from the program, students will discuss the use of family members by candidates in their campaigns and will also develop strategies to increase interest and voter turnout by young people, ages 18-25.
Video Watch Clip
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
1. Working in pairs, select one topic and summarize John Kerry's position on one issue, as presented in the video segment. Prepare your reaction to include strengths and weakness in the position.
2. What is the impact of using family members in a political campaign? Compare Vanessa Kerry's involvement in her father's campaign with other campaigns, specifically the involvement of Howard Dean's wife in his campaign.
3. During the video segment, Vanessa Kerry notes that her father is "an incredible person, not just in achievements, but in goals." In your view, is this an easy statement to prove? Explain why or why not.
4. Compare at least three goals that Kerry and Democratic rival John Edwards describe on their web sites. In your view, which candidate does a better job of expressing their goals? In your view, which goal(s) mean most to the young people of the United States? Explain your answer.
STUDENT ACTIVITY
In the video segment, Vanessa Kerry notes that "young people should be a 'huge voting block' in the 2004 election."
Assume you are a political strategist working for one of the Democratic candidates. Develop a "position paper" or speech for your candidate, suggesting ways and methods that your candidate can court the youth vote, and increase interest and involvement of 18-25 year olds in the 2004 campaign. Be sure to develop your position or speech in a logical manner. Present your view to the class as a persuasive campaign.
APPLY YOUR KNOWLEDGE
Look at biographies of the other presidential candidates. List at least four factors for each that might help them garner youth support in the campaign. Are there factors that might be disadvantageous in a candidate's quest for the "youth vote"?
IN THE COMMUNITY
Watch entire program