Story: Presidential Campaign Fundraising Heats Up, 10/20/03
http://www.pbs.org/newshour/extra/features/july-dec03/campaign_10-20.html

Reading Comprehension Questions:

1. Who is the latest candidate to join the Democrats in running against President Bush in 2004? How much money has he or she raised?
   
   
   
   
2. Why do presidential candidates need to raise so much money?
   
   
   
   
3. Which Democratic candidate has raised the most money so far? How much has the candidate raised?
   
   
   
   
4. Explain the differences between a primary and a caucus.
   
   
   
   
5. Explain President Bush's advantages in the upcoming election?
   
   
   

Discussion Activity (more research might be needed):

1. Can people without a lot of money win national elections in America? Why or why not?

2. Do you think the primary system is a good way to choose a presidential candidate?

3. How has media, such as television and the Internet, impacted candidates' abilities to fundraise and get their messages out?

4. Research the McCain-Feingold campaign finance law. How might this law make the election of 2004 different from 2000?
(suggested resources: http://www.pbs.org/newshour/bb/law/july-dec03/scotus_9-8.html http://www.pbs.org/newshour/updates/cfr_3-20-02.html)

Write a 300-500 word essay on any of these topics providing clear examples. Send your completed editorial to NewsHour Extra [extra@newshour.org]. Exceptional essays might be published on our Web site.