Using NewsHour Extra Feature Stories

Overview: NewsHour Extra feature stories can help students identify and interpret key issues in current events. This activity anticipates one class period, but the follow-up essay might be assigned as homework, or in another period.

Warm Up: Use initiating questions to introduce the topic and find out how much your students know.

Main Activity: Have students read NewsHour Extra's feature story and answer the questions on the reading comprehension handout.

Discussion: Use discussion questions to encourage students to think about how the issues outlined in the story affect their lives and express and debate different opinions.

Follow-up: Students can write an 500-word editorial on the topic expressing their views and send it to NewsHour Extra [extra@newshour.org] for possible publication.

Evaluation: Students are graded on their answers to reading comprehension questions and/or their editorial.

Story: Examining the California Recall, 7/30/03
http://www.pbs.org/newshour/extra/features/july-dec03/davis_7-30.html

Initiating Questions:

1. Can Americans "fire" a politician once he or she is elected to office?

2. Under what circumstances should Americans remove a politician from office?

Reading Comprehension Questions: (click here for printout)

1. What is a recall?

A political recall is a process in which voters can remove a public official from office before his or her term expires.

2. What is the voting process in a recall election?

On October 7, voters will be asked first to vote yes or no to Davis' removal. They will also be able to vote from a list of candidates vying to replace him. If a majority of the voters opt to oust Davis, the candidate with the most votes would become governor the next day.

3. Why do Davis' opponents want him removed from office?

Before and after his election, Davis faced criticism for his handling of a massive energy crisis in 2000 and 2001, and for his management of the state's budget, which faces a crippling $38 billion deficit this year.

4. Name two republicans that may run against Davis in October?

Among the Republicans hoping to replace Davis is U.S. Rep. Darrell Issa, a conservative California congressman, who financed the multi-million dollar recall campaign. Issa has accused Davis of being the worst governor in California.

Actor Arnold Schwarzenegger, star of the Terminator movies, was considering running for Davis's seat, but a spokesman said Tuesday that the republican supporter would likely not become a candidate due to the pressure it would put on his family.

5. Describe another recall vote in history.

Prior to Davis' troubles only one other U.S. governor has faced a recall. In 1921 voters recalled North Dakota Gov. Lynn J. Frazier, after his state's economy faltered following World War I and his party's policies became unpopular.

Discussion Activity (more research might be needed):

1.) Do Internet research on California's energy crisis and on the state's budget crisis. Explain your opinion on whether Gov. Gray Davis should or should not face a recall.

2.) What is the significance in a Democracy of voters being able to recall or impeach public officers?

Write a 300-500 word essay on either 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.