issues

Campaign Issues in Election 2004

The Economy and Unemployment

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Assignment

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You are a speech writer for a political candidate. Below are some facts about Bush's and Kerry's stands and performance concerning the economy and unemployment. Read them carefully. Then choose the candidate of your choice and write a short speech for him that attacks his opponents position and says what he will do if he is elected.

George Bush's Position and Performance

George Bush has given tax cuts in the hopes that more money in the hands of people will result in more spending and more jobs. His tax cuts have gone mostly to the richest 10% of the population, but it reduced some taxes on the middle class. Because of one tax cut, many company are moving jobs overseas because labor is cheaper and they don't have to pay as much in taxes. The tax cuts and the war on Iraq has put the country in the greatest debt it has ever been in. Bush still believes that the tax cuts will result in more jobs and a better economy. He wants Congress to make the cuts permanent.

In 2003, Bush approved a 13-week extension of unemployment benefits for those seeking jobs.
Bush passed tax cuts early in his term that returned $300 to $600 to lower- and middle-class Americans.
Bush passed another tax-cut package in 2003.
Bush increased the upper limit on expenses that small businesses can write off as tax-deductible from $25,000 to $100,000.

John Kerry's Position and Performance

Kerry believes we need to bring jobs back to the U.S. and would remove the tax cuts that make it attractive for companies to send jobs overseas.

2004 - Did not vote on 13-week unemployment benefits extension
2001 - Voted no to repeal ergonomics rules in the workplace
1999 - Voted no to increase the minimum wage
1998 - Voted no to increase the minimum wage
1998 - Voted yes to add an amendment to the budget that would create a reserve fund to make childcare more affordable
1996 - Voted yes to increase the minimum wage
1991 - Voted yes to an amendment to the Family and Medical Leave Act increasing the number of hours someone has to work to qualify for maternity or medical leave

Now you have the positions and records of the candidates.
For which candidate are you going to write a speech?

What are some of the positive things you want to say about his record and position?

What are some of the negative things you want to say about his opponent?

Now write the speech. Start off by greeting your audience. Then try to grab the attention of your audience with a powerful statement of some type. Then provide details about the differences between your positions. Close with a statement of what voters can expect after you are elected.