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| Chapter 10: Campaigns and Elections |
| Video Exercises |
Watch the videos below and answer the questions that follow. |
| 1. Issue ads during a presidential campaign are an important and effective way for candidates to explain their positions on key policy issues. During the 2008 election, the economy emerged as a key issue for voters and candidates alike.
Plan for Change
Obama/Biden
2008
Fight
McCain/Palin
2008
In what ways did Barack Obama and John McCain address economic issues in the above two videos? How are their proposed solutions similar? How are their proposed solutions different? |
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| 2. Attack ads are used by candidates to contrast themselves with their opponents, and cast doubt in the minds of voters on the policies, legislative records, or personal character of their opponents.
Celeb
McCain/Palin
2008
Embrace
Obama/Biden 2008
Which of the two videos above did you find more persuasive or compelling? Why? In general, do you think attack ads are an effective means of winning support from prospective voters? Why or why not? |
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| 3. Ads produced during an election year by political action committees are independent from those produced by the campaigns themselves, and frequently will address controversial topics or use more aggressive rhetoric in attacking a candidate’s opponent.
Know Enough
American Issues Project
2008
“Bomb Iran”
Moveon.org
2007
How would you summarize the messages from the two videos above? Do you think these videos from political action committees are fundamentally different from those produced by the campaigns themselves? Why or why not? Did you find either of these videos persuasive? Why or why not? |
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| 4a. Political satire is an important part of any presidential campaign season, as it often reflects the personalities and policies of the candidates while not seeking to carry an agenda or directly influence the outcome of the election.
Obama Runs Constructive Criticism Ad Against McCain
The Onion News Network
Given that attacks ads and negative rhetoric are commonplace in political campaigns, why is this ad humorous? What do you think it suggests about the tone of the attack ads that aired during the 2008 presidential election? |
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4b. Watch the videos below and answer the questions that follow.
VP Debate Open: Palin / Biden
Saturday Night Live
NBC
First aired October 4, 2008
What commentary do you think the above video is making about presidential and vice-presidential debates? Do you feel that debates during an election year are an effective way for voters to learn about the positions of candidates? Why or why not? |
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