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Essential question
Why do negative attacks during political competitions draw more attention than positive messages?
The first major event of the 2016 election season is less than a week away as campaigns ramp up their efforts to pull ahead in Iowa.
On Feb. 1, Iowans will meet in local party caucuses throughout the state to determine their nominees for president.
As the first stop in the presidential nominating process, a win in Iowa can be a good indicator for who will carry the subsequent state primaries. Republican and Democratic candidates have focused huge amounts of time and money on gaining ground in the state.
Recent polls show close races among the top contenders on both sides. Front-runners have stepped up ads touting their own accomplishments while criticizing their main opponents’ platforms. Ads on Iowa television show Republican contenders Donald Trump and Ted Cruz taking shots at one another on immigration and eminent domain while Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton has gone after opponent Bernie Sanders for his health care plans.
After Iowa, candidates will turn their attention to the New Hampshire primaries on Feb. 9.
Key terms
front-runner — a leading contestant in a race and establishes the pace for the field eminent domain — the right of a government to take private property for public use with payment of compensationWarm up questions ( before watching the video)
- What is the Iowa caucus?
- Who are the current front-runners in the 2016 presidential race?
- Why do you think exchanges between presidential candidates are starting to become sharper?
Critical thinking questions ( after watching the video)
- Why do you think Republican presidential candidates accuse each other of not being conservative enough in the lead-up to the Iowa caucuses?
- What is the significance of the conservative magazine National Review criticizing Trump on its front cover? Were you surprised at Trump’s reaction? Explain.
- What do you think are the differences between Democratic candidates’ Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders?
- Which Democratic and Republican candidate do you think is going to win the Iowa caucuses? Explain your answer.
