Watch the videos below and answer the questions that follow.
On January 4, 2007, Nancy Pelosi was elected Speaker of the House of Representatives. Nancy Pelosi had represented California's 8th District, which includes much of Silicon Valley, since 1987. In the fall of 2002, she was voted Democratic Leader of the House of Representatives, the first woman in American history to lead a major party in the U.S. Congress.
Nancy Pelosi on Democrats Governing All of Washington
from BigThink.com
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| 1a. What projects or issues does Nancy Pelosi identify as part of the Democratic agenda?
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| 1b. Do you feel that Nancy Pelosi did an effective job as Speaker of the House of Representatives? Why or why not?
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| 1c. How did the results of the 2010 midterm elections affect the congressional agenda?
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George John Mitchell is a former Democratic party politician and U.S. senator from Maine who currently serves as the American special envoy to the Middle East for the Obama administration. He has served as chairman of the worldwide law firm DLA Piper and also as the Chancellor of the Queen’s University in Belfast, Northern Ireland.
What Will It Take to Close the Partisan Rift in Congress?
George Mitchell
from BigThink.com
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| 2a. Do you agree with George Mitchell that the United States is, and will remain, divided politically? Why or why not?
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| 2b. How did the 2010 elections affect partisan balance in the Senate? How will the results of the 2010 election affect the job of the Senate majority leader, a position Mitchell mentions that he once held?
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In addition to following the foibles of presidential candidates, political satire also extends to portrayals of Congress. Congressional gridlock and the legislative process have long been a target of satirical commentary. The following videos are examples of this brand of political humor.
Evan Bayh's Senate Retirement
The Daily Show with Jon Stewart
June 2, 2010
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| 3a. What reasons does Evan Bayh give for not seeking another term as a U.S. senator? Why do you think John Oliver is so surprised at the reasons for Bayh’s retirement?
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| 3b. What do you think of Bayh’s reasons for retirement?
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I Give Up 9/11 Responders Bill
The Daily Show with Jon Stewart
August 4, 2010
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| 3c. In this video, Jon Stewart is frustrated with both Republicans and Democrats. What reasons does he have for being frustrated with each party?
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| 3d. Do you think this sketch is typical of congressional lawmaking? Why or why not?
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