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NewsHour Teacher Center Blog
April 18, 2008
Questions of character, electability and campaign missteps dominated much of the recent Democratic primary debate. This video report features 7 minutes of excerpts from the debate, then 10 minutes of political reporters assessing videoplayer.jpg the state of the race and fact checking the candidates’ statements.

Some substantive national issues were covered in the debate. See for example, this video clip on tax policy. But how do we assess a presidential candidate? This video report provides the relevant background to jump-start exploration of candidate assessment with your students. How important are the candidates’ positions on issues compared to campaign ads, sound-bites or missteps? Where do we get our information? What is the role of an organization like factcheck.org? How do we see the forest but not ignore the trees? What influences your personal choice in an election? Democracy depends on making informed decisions - how are we doing?

Online NewsHour provides comprehensive coverage of Vote 2008 but these other links may also complement this video report.

NewsHour Student Participation Opportunity
NewsHour is holding a special Insider Forum with Judy Woodruff just for student questions about the primary. Check out the link then see if any bold student(s) will submit a question. No question is too general or too specific!

NewsHour Analysis: Primary Looms as Candidates Sharpen Attacks
Reporters Blog Clinton, Obama Exchange Sharp Attacks at Philadelphia Debate

Annenberg Public Policy Center of the University of Pennsylvania
FactCheck.org researches the truthfulness of claims made by political candidates
Truth is not always self-evident in the latest Clinton-Obama debate
Annenberg Public Policy Center: Political Communication Links to web pages for their various projects: Annenberg Classroom, National Annenberg Election Survey, FactCheck.org, Student Voices, Institutions of American Democracy, Justice Talking (NPR), Justice Learning, Institute for the Study of Citizens and Politics
Kathleen Hall Jamieson, Policy Center Director Dr. Jamieson heads this authoratative resource for studies of Americans’ political knowledge, discourse, media use and opinions about candidates and issues.

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