Also Try
- American Presidents
- Conservative Views
- Corporate Power in Government
- Current Events in Politics
- Democracy and Media
- Politics and Elections
- Presidential Campaign 2004 Archives
- Progressive Views
Lesson Plans
- Distinguishing Facts and Opinions (Information Institute of Syracuse)
- Perfect President (PBS - Teacher Source)
Provides a lesson for students to help them become clearer about qualifications for president of the United States. 2-01
Materials
- -Register to Vote Online (OnlineDemocracy.com)
 Provides an online form to register to vote. You will then be mailed the form with the information filled in so that you can sign it and turn it in. Also allows you to simply print, sign and turn in the form for states that do not require card stock for registration. Also allows you to change your voter registration address, political party affiliation, or name. 8-00
- -Voter Registration Forms by State (Federal Election Commission)
Provides forms to register, organized by state. 2-04
- Compare Your Positions With Presidential Candidates for 2004 (PresidentMatch.com)
Allows you to compare your positions on issues with candidates for president. 2-04
- Compare Your Positions With Presidential Candidates for 2004 (SelectSmart.com)
"The candidates' positions have been determined first by the candidate's actions, then their public votes, followed by their public statements, and whenever possible, special interest group rankings of the candidate have been factored in."
"The results page links to information about the candidates including links to their websites, public statements and news reports. We also provide links to the special interest groups mentioned on this page." 10-03
- Political Position - Assess Your Political Position (PoliticalCompass.org)
Provides questions to position you on a political graph, ranging from "left wing" to "right wing" and "authoritarian" to "libertarian." Also positions prominent British politicians on the chart. 7-01
News
- 02-08-04 Russert Interviews Bush - On Iraq and the Economy (Forbes.com - Bush and Russert)
"Here is a transcript of an interview aired on Sunday by NBC's Meet the Press with President Bush. The interviewer was Tim Russert." 2-04
- 02-08-04 Russert Interviews Bush - Response by Democrats (Democrats.org)
Provides a chart contrasting President Bush's statements with what Democrats consider to be the truth." 2-04
- 02-26-04 Bush Distances Himself from Job-Loss Comment (Seattle Times)
"President Bush, visiting Pennsylvania to tout his prescriptions for employment growth, distanced himself from his chief economist who this week spoke approvingly of U.S. jobs moving overseas."
"On Monday, N. Gregory Mankiw, chairman of Bush's Council of Economic Advisers, said in releasing the annual Economic Report of the President that the 'offshoring' of U.S. service jobs is 'the latest manifestation of the gains from trade that economists have talked about' for centuries."
"The report similarly said that 'when a good or service is produced more cheaply abroad, it makes more sense to import it than make or provide it domestically.' " "Job loss is a sensitive issue for Bush as he seeks re-election in November. The economy has lost about 2.2 million jobs on Bush's watch and has been slow to reduce unemployment despite other signs of economic growth." 2-04
- 03-06-04 Factors That Could Affect the Election (ABC News)
"Now, in 2004, a Bush-Kerry battle for the presidency is under way. The economy again is uncertain. Iraq is on edge. Osama bin Laden is on the run. And the war on terror continues."
"Elections experts say any one of them could play the role Iran had in 1980, and be this year's X factor — potentially spawning bombshell events that could jolt the election status quo, and maybe even bringing a decisive October surprise." 3-04
- 03-06-04 Republicans Try to Block Anti-Bush Ads (CNN News)
"The Republican National Committee is warning television stations across the country not to run ads from the MoveOn.org Voter Fund that criticize President Bush, charging that the left-leaning political group is paying for them with money raised in violation of the new campaign-finance law."
"But MoveOn.org's lawyer, Joseph Sandler, said in a statement that the ads were funded legally, calling the RNC's letter "a complete misrepresentation of the law."
" 'It's not surprising that [RNC Chairman] Ed Gillespie continues to make false claims about the legality of our campaign in order to silence us,' Wes Boyd, president of the voter fund, said in a statement. 'Our lawyers continue to assure us that our advertising, and the small contributions from tens of thousands of our members that pay for it, conform in every way to existing campaign-finance laws.' " 3-04
- 03-06-04 Tax Rebates Boost Employment Overseas, Not USA (Washington Times)
"The job market slumped back into stagnation last month with the unemployment rate stuck at 5.6 percent and only 21,000 jobs created, a development that spells trouble for President Bush's re-election effort. "
"The president sought to jump-start a job recovery with $350 billion in tax cuts last year but the response has been only weak and dwindling job gains."
" 'The tax cut gave a big increase to spending, but when folks go to Wal-Mart, they buy imported goods so the job growth goes to China' and other countries, he [Morici] said." 3-04
- 03-18-04 AP: Bin Laden Top Aide Surrounded (Bloomberg.com)
"Pakistani soldiers believe they have surrounded Osama bin Laden's top aide, Egyptian Ayman al- Zawahiri, near the Afghan border, the Associated Press reported from Islamabad." 3-04
- 03-18-04 Bush Uses Kerry's Words in Ad (Guardian Unlimited)
"John Kerry's words are being used against him in President Bush's new television ad, which accuses the presumptive Democratic nominee of waffling on military issues."
"Kerry and his allies are competing ad for ad against Bush in many key markets, accusing Bush of ruining the economy and distorting Kerry's record."
"The White House believes the next two months may be more important than the last 60 days of the campaign because they have a chance to define Kerry before Americans get to know him." 3-04
- 03-18-04 Polish President: Poland "Misled" on Iraq (Guardian Unlimited)
"President Aleksander Kwasniewski, a key Washington ally, said Thursday he may withdraw troops early from Iraq and that Poland was 'misled' about the threat of Saddam Hussein's weapons of mass destruction." 3-04
- 03-23-04 Bush's Former Counterterrorism Chief Blasts Bush's Efforts (CNN News)
"The White House's former counterterrorism coordinator blasts President Bush in a television interview and a new book, saying the president ignored warnings about terrorist attacks before 9/11 and has done 'a terrible job' battling terrorism since then." 3-04
- 03-23-04 Medicare Will Be Broke by 2019 (Bloomberg.com)
"Hospital payments for the elderly under the U.S. Medicare program will exceed income for the first time this year, nine years earlier than anticipated, and the federal program's assets will dry up in 2019, seven years sooner than expected, trustees for the program said." 3-04
- 03-25-04 Bush's Former Anti-Terrorism Chief Claims Bush Undermined War on Terrorism (MSNBC News)
" 'The reason I am strident in my criticism of the president of the United States is because ... by invading Iraq, the president of the United States has greatly undermined the war on terrorism,' he said."
"But Clarke, acknowledging that he had been accused of being 'a member of John Kerry’s campaign team,' denied that he had any partisan goals." " 'Let me say here, as I am under oath, that I will not accept any position in the Kerry administration, should there be one — on the record, under oath,' said Clarke, who said he voted Republican in 2000." 3-04
- News Regarding the Presidential Election of 2004 (C-SPAN.org)
Provides news on activities of presidential candidates. 12-03
- News Related to the Presidential Election of 2004 (CNN News)
Provides news related to the presidential election of 2004. Includes an election calendar of events each month, information on the flow of money, issues, polls, news on candidates, and a timeline. 12-03
- Presidential Campaigns News (MSNBC News)
Provides updates on the leading contenders for president of the United States. 3-04
- Primary Elections Scorecard (CNN News)
Tallies total delegates for each presidential candidate of the Democratic party. 2-04
Papers
- -Adding Paper Verification to Electronic Votes (VerifiedVoting.org)
"We have been concerned that without a paper record verified by the voter, there would be no way of knowing whether votes were recorded accurately and no way to do a meaningful recount if one is necessary." 1-04
- -Comparison of Candidates for President (CNN News)
 Provides a comparison of views and positions of candidates for president. Positions of George W. Bush are on this page. Select "Browse by Issue" to the right of the pictures of Democratic candidates to see charts comparing each candidate (including Bush) on major issues. 2-04
- -Comparison of Candidates for President (Issue2000.org)
Provides a comparison of views and positions of candidates for president. 2-04
- 03-14-04 Russert Interviews Dean (DeanforAmerica)
"If you, for election reasons, bring home the troops too early, then you risk the--either al-Qaeda establishing a beachhead, and we know al-Qaeda is in Iraq now, even though they were not in Iraq before we went in, or you risk the attempt by the Shiite religious majority to enforce a Shiite theocracy, which is what they have in Iran. I think that would be a very serious problem."
"George Bush's father had over 100,000 foreign troops in Iraq when we went in the first time, an invasion that I also supported, because I think that when a dictator takes over another country that's your ally, you have an obligation to come to their defense."
"This president couldn't get those troops." 3-04
- Budget Deficit (BullandBearWise.com)
Provides a chart showing federal, state, and local surpluses and deficits from 1946 to the present. 1-04
- Budget Deficit - Debt Clock (Brillig.com)
In February of 2004, the national debt was around $7 trillion, the largest in U.S. history. Provides a clock that records the national debt each minute.
"The estimated population of the United States is 293,295,778 so each citizen's share of this debt is $23,956.23. The National Debt has continued to increase an average of $1.77 billion per day since September 30, 2003!" 2-04
- Budget Deficit - View of Democrats (Democrats.org)
"President Bush has released his budget for the fiscal year 2005, and it spells disaster for America. His failed economic policies are saddling the nation with enormous budget deficits as far as the eye can see. Working families will be paying off the Bush debts for generations." The individual taxpayer burden for the deficit alone seems to be between $2,000 and $2,500 per year in most states. 2-04
- Budget Deficit and the Aging Population (USA Today)
"When deficits started taking off 20 years ago, the retirement of the baby boom generation was just a distant worry. Now, as the nation faces years of red ink, including at least a $400 billion shortfall in 2003 alone, the graying population is a fast-approaching reality that will put unprecedented strains on Medicare, Social Security and the economy starting around 2010."
"While recent advances in productivity are expected to help the nation cope with the bulge in retirees, the reduced workforce, possible slowing of immigration and huge new fiscal burdens mean that, unlike the 1990s, the nation could have a tougher time growing out of new budget problems, economists say."
"At the same time, by locking in years of deficits, lawmakers and the White House are reducing national savings and putting upward pressure on interest rates. That could limit their flexibility to increase taxes, issue bonds or take other steps to reform the massive health and retirement programs — while forcing deeper benefit cuts." 2-04
- Budget of the United States for 2005 (Whitehouse.gov - Bush)
"Budget of the United States Government, Fiscal Year 2005 contains the Budget Message of the President, information on the President’s budget and management priorities, and budget overviews organized by agency, including assessments of their performance." 2-04
- Budget of the United States for 2005 - An Analysis (CBS News)
"President Bush's goal of cutting in half a projected $500 billion federal deficit within five years is being dismissed as too timid by conservatives, unachievable by analysts and laughable by Democrats." 2-04
- Budget of the United States for 2005 - Overview (Whitehouse.gov - Bush)
Provides a short summary of President Bush's budget, including charts and graphs. According to the President, "The President’s 2005 Budget continues to support and advance three overriding national priorities: winning the war on terror, protecting the homeland, and strengthening the economy." 2-04
- Education: Bush (Issue2000.org)
"FACTCHECK on Education: Bush spoke of a big increase in federal funding for education, but didn't mention complaints that he's forcing states to pay for new federal requirements to test student performance."
"BUSH: By passing the No Child Left Behind Act you have made the expectation of literacy the law of our country. We are providing more funding for our schools-a 36% increase since 2001. We are requiring higher standards."
"FACTCHECK: It is true that federal funding for education has increased sharply since Bush took office, as even his critics concede. But it is also true that Bush's new requirements for student testing impose large costs on state and local governments and that Bush hasn't pushed the Republican Congress for the full amounts authorized by the No Child Left Behind Act. The National Education Association estimated the shortfall at $5.4 billion last year, and even a GOP senator, Olympia Snowe of Maine, said last year, 'It leaves us open to the charge of unfunded mandates.' " 2-04
- Education: Kerry (Issue2000.org)
"I have never supported vouchers. I understand why parents want more choices and I believe they should have more choices in public schools. But public schools need resources and support, and vouchers drain them of both. Our inner-city schools and our rural schools need better buildings, more textbooks, higher paid teachers, the best principals, and smaller classes."
"Bush's one exercise in "compassionate conservatism" was the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001, an education reform effort that I supported. The stated purpose of that legislation was to offer a new bargain to states and school districts, under which they would accept greater accountability for results in exchange for the resources and the flexibility to get the job done. The Bush administration began welshing on its side of the bargain almost before the ink was dry on the bill, undermining education funding as part of a larger strategy of directing every available school dollar toward tax cuts for the wealthiest Americans. This has been sadly typical of the administration's approach to government: a rhetoric of compassion and concern accompanied by policies that are compassionate primarily toward the most comfortable members of our society." 2-04
- Energy and Oil: Bush (Issue2000.org)
"For Bush, the point of energy conservation was not for Americans to USE less, but for Americans to IMPORT less. For him, energy was first and foremost a national security issue. He had warned in 2000, 'As a result of our foreign oil imports skyrocketing, America is at the mercy more than ever of foreign governments and cartels.' " 2-04
- Energy and Oil: Kerry (Issue2000.org)
"I support updating CAFE standards to 36 miles per gallon by 2015. This proposal will reduce America's dependence on oil by saving 2 million barrels of oil per day -- almost as much as we currently import from the Persian Gulf. It will reduce greenhouse gas emissions, smog and ozone pollution."
"We have to encourage the use of hybrid vehicles and invest in research and development. We have to set a goal by 2020 that 20 percent of our energy will come from renewable fuels. I am going to create an energy efficient trust fund to look for news sources of energy and we are going to create tens of thousands of jobs doing that. We can't drill our way out of this."
"We only have 3% of the world's oil reserves. There is no physical way for the US to drill its way out of this problem. We have to invent our way out of this problem. The sooner that we commit America to the science & discovery of renewable alternatives, the better off America will be, the better our health will be, the more effective our economy would be, the better our national security will be, and the better world citizen we will be. We need to commit ourselves to energy independence now." 2-04
- Foreign Policy Analysis by James Mann (Amazon.com)
Shawn Carkonen reviews the book Rise of the Vulcans by James Mann. Mann describes foreign policy through describing an alliance of key advisors for President Bush.
"This core group, consisting of Donald Rumsfeld, Dick Cheney, Colin Powell, Paul Wolfowitz, Richard Armitage, and Condoleezza Rice, has a long history together dating back 30 years in some cases. Dubbing themselves the Vulcans, they have largely determined the direction and focus of the Bush presidency. In this remarkably researched and fascinating book, Mann traces their careers and the development of their ideas in order to understand how and why American foreign policy got to where it is today."
"As Mann makes clear, there has never been perfect agreement between all parties, (the relationship between the close duo of Powell and Armitage on one side and Rumsfeld on the other, for instance, has been frosty) but they do share basic values. Whether they came from the armed services, academia, or government bureaucracy, the Vulcans all viewed the Pentagon as the principal institution from which American power should emanate. Their developing philosophy was cemented after the attacks of September 11, 2001 and is best reflected in the decision to invade Iraq. They believe that a powerful military is essential to American interests, that America is ultimately a force for good despite any negative consequences that may arise from American aggression, they are eternally optimistic about American power and dismiss any arguments about over-extension of resources, and they are skeptical about the need to consult allies or form broad global coalitions before acting." 3-04
- Foreign Policy: Bush (Issue2000.org)
"From the beginning, America has sought international support for our operations in Afghanistan and Iraq, and we have gained much support. There is a difference, however, between leading a coalition of many nations and submitting to the objections of a few. America will never seek a permission slip to defend the security of our country." 2-04
- Foreign Policy: Kerry (Issue2000.org)
"In contrast to the dangerous mix of isolationism and unilateralism that characterizes the Republicans, [I support] speaking from a position of strength on international issues-the multilateral cooperative tradition of democratic internationalism forged in the course of two world wars and the cold war. It acknowledges that multilateral organizations are vehicles for the promotion of our ideals and the protection of our interests around the world. And it recognizes that those ideals and interests in this globalized world are consistent with the peace, prosperity, and self-determination of every country on earth."
"Democratic internationalists understand that there are times when America must challenge the UN, NATO, and our allies to stand up for their own preferred values. And they also realize that there are times when America must be challenged to live up to its values as well. America has taken a rare step in human history in arguing that its interests and the world's are one." 2-04
- Health Care: Bush (Issue2000.org)
"Starting this year, millions of Americans will be able to save money, tax-free, for their medical expenses in a health savings account. I signed this measure proudly, and any attempts to limit the choices of our seniors or to take away their prescription drug coverage under Medicare will meet my veto. On the critical issue of health care, our goal is to ensure that Americans can choose and afford private health care coverage that best fits their individual needs." 2-04
- Health Care: Kerry (Issue2000.org)
"I will send to Congress a health care plan that stops spiraling costs, covers every child in America, and makes it possible for every American to get the same health care as any member of Congress. Making health care a right and not a privilege is something worth fighting for." 2-04
- History of the Development of the "Two-Party" System (TheGreenPapers.com - Berg-Andersson)
Provides a history of the development of two major political parties in the United States. 1-04
- History of the Political Parties in the United States (United States Senate)
Provides a history of majority and minority political parties in the United States from 1789 to present. 1-04
- Issue - Balancing the Federal Deficit by Kerry (JohnKerry.com)
"John Kerry believes that we need a smaller and smarter government that wastes less money. He has put forward a sensible plan that will at least cut the deficit in half in his first term, while investing in economic growth and investing in workers. To restore fiscal discipline and strengthen our economy, Kerry will repeal Bush’s special tax breaks for Americans who make more than $200,000. He will cut excesses in government and reign in out of control spending. And he will implement the McCain-Kerry commission on corporate welfare to undermine the special interest groups that make it hard to cut tax loopholes and pork barrel spending projects." 1-04
- Issue - Civil Rights (CNN News)
Provides a chart comparing the views of candidates for president. 1-04
- Issue - Environment and Corporations (PublicCampaign.org)
Provides statistics on the influence of corporations on the quality of the environment. 1-04
- Issue - Environment and Energy (CNN News)
Provides a chart comparing the views of candidates for president. 1-04
- Issue - Environmental Protection Positions of Candidates (CNN News - Collins)
Collins notes that "little has been said about which Democrat has the best chance of appealing to environmentalists. Green groups like the Sierra Club, the Natural Resources Defense Council and Greenpeace have voiced strong opposition to White House policies on the environment. And the League of Conservation Voters (LCV), Washington's green political machine, says eco-issues may not always be the most important subjects to voters, but they're still influential in crucial swing states." She gives a summary of the views (available on Web sites) of presidential candidates, including George W. Bush. 12-03
- Issue - Health Care (CNN News)
Provides a chart comparing the views of candidates for president. 1-04
- Issue - Homeland Security (CNN News)
Provides a chart comparing the views of candidates for president. 1-04
- Issue - Military and Defense (CNN News)
Provides a chart comparing the views of candidates for president. 1-04
- Issue - Social Issues (CNN News)
Provides a chart comparing the views of candidates for president. Issues include abortion, death penalty, drug policy, gun control, education reform, and the Supreme Court. 1-04
- Issue - Taxes Debate (PBS.org)
Provides pro and con positions on the President's stimulus plan. "The debate over the President's tax cut and stimulus plan revolves around several issues. Some worry about the growth of the federal deficit. Others question who benefits from the tax cuts, especially the much-touted elimination of the dividend tax. On the other side, individual and corporate advocates of the President's stimulus plan contend that much-needed funds will be added into the economy and fiscal benefits will be felt by every American family. Add on the costs of the war in Iraq and the knowledge that the majority of states are running in the red and the discussion heats up even more." 2-04
- Issue - Taxes and Spending (CNN News)
Provides a chart comparing the views of candidates for president. Issues include Social Security, state fiscal crisis, tax cuts, budget deficits, and job creation. 1-04
- Jobs: Bush (Issue2000.org)
"In 2003, Bush signed jobs and growth legislation and made clear that he will not stop working for economic security until everyone who wants a job has one. All of these measures are helping our economy as it recovers. President Bush will not be satisfied until every American who wants a job can find one; until every business has a chance to grow and until we turn our economic recovery into lasting prosperity that reaches every corner of America." 2-04
- Jobs: Kerry (Issue2000.org)
"I'm desperately concerned about those jobs. But you don't fix them by pandering to people and telling them you're going to shut the door. You have to grow jobs. We need to increase our commitment to science in America, to venture capital, to the kinds of incentives that draw capital to the creation of jobs. Democrats can't love jobs and hate the people who create them. We need to encourage job creation and trade, but fair trade, and I've shown how that can happen." "We need to jump-start jobs here at home. We have an extraordinary ability, an entrepreneurial capacity second to no people on the planet. Education could be more invigorated, science could be more invigorated, the most anti-science administration in modern history. We need to push energy. Energy independence for the US will create thousands of jobs in our country. We need to push the environmental standards." 2-04
- Money - Financial Information on John Kerry for the Presidential Election of 2004 (CNN News)
Provides a tally of financial information on John Kerry as of December 2003. 2-04
- Money - Sources of Funds for Presidential Candidates (Federal Election Commission)
Provides lists of sources of funds for some of the major presidential candidates. 12-03
- Money - Who is Bankrolling the Presidential Candidates? (Center for Public Integrity)
Identifies the top sources of funding for some of the leading contenders for president.
"Every major White House contender who has held past elective office has 'career patrons,' or longtime financial sponsors, who have underwritten his or her political career. And every major aspirant has used his government position to help his patrons." 1-04
- Presidential Candidates (Politics1.com)
Provides information on each candidate for President of the United States, by political party. 12-03
- Presidential Personalities (American Psychological Association)
"As part of their The Personality and the President Project, psychologist Steven J Rubenzer, Ph.D., of Houston, Texas and co-authors Thomas Faschingbauer, Ph.D., of Richmond Texas and Deniz S. Ones, Ph.D., of the University of Minnesota, used several objective personality instruments to analyze the assessments made by more than one hundred presidential experts who were instructed to assess the lives of presidents they studied. The experts were instructed to look only at the five-year period before their respective subject became president to avoid the influence that life in the White House might have had on their behavior."
"Results of the research indicate that great presidents, besides being stubborn and disagreeable, are more extraverted, open to experience, assertive, achievement striving, excitement seeking and more open to fantasy, aesthetics, feelings, actions, ideas and values. Historically great presidents were low on straightforwardness, vulnerability and order."
"Achievement striving was found to be one of the best correlates of greatness in the oval office and competence was also a big predictor of presidential success." 12-03
- Primaries - An Introduction to the Primary (BBC News)
Provides a brief introduction to the primaries as a means of picking a candidate for a political party. (See the box on the right near the bottom of the page. Just below it is a link to more information in the article on the New Hampshire primary.) 1-04
- Primaries - Deadlines for Primaries (Politics1.com)
Provides dates related to elections within each state, including dates for voting in primaries. Qualifications to vote include: You must be 18 years old or older by the day of the election, you must be registered to vote, and you must be a U.S. citizen. In many states, you must register with a political party to vote in that party's primary election. To vote in a primary election, your registration must be recognized well before the primary election in that state. 12-03
- Primaries - Definitions of Terms (TheGreenPapers.com - Berg-Andersson)
Provides detailed definitions of terms used in caucuses, primaries, and political conventions. 1-04
- Primaries - Filing Deadlines for Primaries (Federal Election Commission)
Provides filing deadlines for primaries, by state. 12-03
- Primaries - The "Wealth" Primary (OpenSecrets.org)
"Long before the political parties select their nominees and voters cast their ballots, long before the vast majority of citizens have even focused on upcoming federal elections, candidates for the United States Congress now compete in a critically important phase of the modern electoral process: the wealth primary. The person who collects the most money -- the "winner" of the wealth primary -- almost always captures his or her party's nomination and then, if he or she can outraise and outspend the winner of the wealth primary in the other party, goes on to win the election. Theoretically, you can get elected to Congress without being the winner of this two-part wealth primary but, when you look at the statistics, it is extremely unlikely." 1-04
- Public Opinion on Major Social Issues (ABC News)
"So — does the public support abortion, gun control, homosexual rights, affirmative action? The answer is, it depends on what kind of abortion, gun control, homosexual rights or affirmative action you're talking about."
"The unfortunate answer is that life is not nearly as simple as a single number. Asking if people support or oppose abortion, or gun control, or gay rights, really tells us very little. Opinion is much more complex and nuanced than that, and it's really in the nuance that political candidates either get it right, or get it wrong."
"Take abortion. Most people say it should be legal — 57 percent. But legal in what circumstances? When we test them, we find a huge range — to save the life of the mother, 88 percent, but to end an unwanted pregnancy, just 42 percent (and the latter is why most abortions are done). The fact is that most people think abortion is a private matter, and should be generally available, but most also think it's deeply objectionable, and as such shouldn't be done casually or as a mere convenience."
"As the campaign progresses, there'll be much debate on these and other issues, and a world of spin on where the public stands on them. We'll all be well served by good, independent efforts to understand the range and depth of public opinion — and by guarding against the efforts of others to distort or oversimplify it." 1-04
- Same-Sex Marriages - Positions on a Constitutional Ban (CNN News)
"Bush said such an amendment [to the U.S. Constitution] would 'prevent the meaning of marriage from being changed forever.' "
"The four-term senator [John Kerry] has said he supports civil unions and equal protection for gays and lesbians but that he opposes marriage for them. He also said he believes the matter should be decided on the state level."
"Civil unions grant couples most of the rights of state civil marriages, except the name, but provide none of the federal benefits of marriage, such as Social Security benefits."
"The Constitution requires a two-thirds majority in each house of Congress to pass an amendment. Then it must be ratified by three-fourths, or 38, of the 50 states." 2-04
- State of the Union Speech 2004 (Christian Science Monitor - Bush)
Provides a transcript of President Bush's State of the Union speech to the U.S. Congress. 1-04
- State of the Union Speech 2004 - Democratic Responses (CNN News - Pelosi and Daschle)
Provides a transcript of responses of Senate Democratic leaders, Nancy Pelosi and Tom Daschle, to President Bush's State of the Union speech to the U.S. Congress. 1-04
Projects
- New Voters Project (NewVotersProject.org)
Provides activities to help "reengage young people in the political process. Over 28 million eligible voters between the ages of 18 and 24 years old could be a powerful voting bloc in the upcoming elections." 2-04
Worksheets
- Elections Worksheets (AbcTeach)
Provides dozens of worksheets to help children have a better understanding of the elections process. 1-04
|
