With the conclusion of the Republican National Convention last week, the spotlight now turns to the Democrats to show the country why President Obama should get four more years in the White House.
The Democratic National Convention is due to start the day after Labor Day, a day that celebrates the working people that built this country, and shines a spotlight on labor unions. Organized labor was a large part of the coalition of voters that elected President Obama to office in 2008, and many union workers rallied for him this Labor Day weekend to show their continuing support.
There were also those who marched through Charlotte to criticize the President. Protesters from the "Occupy" movement and many other pressure groups took to the streets to bring attention to their complaints about the president's lack of action on immigration, climate change and bailing out the banks while millions lost their homes.
With this backdrop, supporters of the President will take to the stage at the DNC this week to defend the President's policies over the past four years and try to answer the President's critics.
Quotes
"I think it says that we're playing offense, and not defense. We're going into territory that Republicans have traditionally taken for granted, and we're competing for those votes. And I think that's exactly what this party ought to be doing." - Mayor Anthony Foxx, Charlotte, N.C.
Warm Up Questions
1. What is Labor Day? What does it celebrate?
2. What is "organized labor"? What does it do?
3. What is the purpose of the national political conventions?
Discussion Questions
1. How important are labor unions? What are the pros and cons of labor unions?
2. How will the term "Middle Class" be used in this year's election?
3. How do people's economic situation affect who they vote for?
Additional Resources
Students Get New Perspective at RNC Breakfast
Party Animals Celebrate their Candidates at National Conventions
