Story: Facebook, MySpace Aid Presidential Candidates, 07/25/07
http://www.pbs.org/newshour/extra/features/july-dec07/facebook_7-25.html

Initiating Questions:

1. What are some of the different ways people use Web sites like Facebook and MySpace?

2. How do politicians running for office try to reach out to the public?

3. Which candidates do you think are doing a good job of reaching out to young people?

Reading Comprehension Questions:

1. Which candidate has the most online friends?

2. How do presidential candidates use social networking sites?

3. Will popularity on the Internet mean more voter support in the election?

4. How is Ron Paul's campaign handling social networking sites?

5. What does Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney hope to do on his Facebook and MySpace pages?

Discussion Activity (more research might be needed):

1. If you were a presidential candidate, what would you put on your Facebook or MySpace page to attract supporters?

2. What are some other ways candidates use the Internet to help their campaigns, or hurt other candidates?

3. Are young people paying attention to the presidential election? Why or why not?

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.