Story: The Promises Made By The Presidential Candidates, 09/06/04
http://www.pbs.org/newshour/extra/features/july-dec04/issues.html

Initiating Questions:

1. When is Election Day?

2. Who is running for president?

3. What are some of the key issues in this presidential campaign?

Reading Comprehension Questions:

1. Name six political parties.

2. What is President Bush's education program?

 

3. What is John Kerry's position on education?

4. What are the candidates' positions on the Kyoto global warming pact?

 

5. What are civil unions?

 

6. What is Social Security, and what are some of the plans proposed by President Bush and Senator Kerry?

 

 

Discussion Activity (more research might be needed):

1. What other issues do you think are important?

2. Take a look at John Kerry's nomination acceptance speech. What issues did he talk about? Why do you think he mentioned those issues?
http://www.pbs.org/newshour/vote2004/demconvention/speeches/kerry.html

3. Look at President Bush's nomination acceptance speech. What issues did he talk about? Why do you think he chose those issues?
http://www.pbs.org/newshour/vote2004/repconvention/speeches/bush.html

Write a 500-800 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.