Campaign worldplay.

• Position: GRAPH: ELECTION 2008 - Brief article

Both the Democratic and Republican National Conventions this summer had two major purposes: to select their parties nominees and running mates--Senators Barack Obama and John McCain, and Senator Joe Biden and Governor Sarah Palin--and start "selling" them to the nation. That part was handled by dozens of speakers who took to the podiums in Denver and St. Paul to trumpet their party's campaign themes and criticize the opposition ticket. The carefully chosen words they used--and those they didn't use--say a tot about the two campaigns.

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ANALYZE THE GRAPH

(1) The idea of change has been central to both candidates" campaigns. How many more times did Democrats mention change?

a 100 percent more

b 200 percent more

c 300 percent more

d 400 percent more

(2) What word did both Republicans and Democrats use with the same frequency?

a Jobs

b Tax(es)

c Energy

d Terror(ism)/ Terrorist(s)

(3) Which two words did Republicans mention most?

a Business(es) and Jobs

b Energy and Bush

c God and Tax(es)

d Change and McCain

(4) Which two words did Democrats mention most?

a Business(es) and Tax(es)

b Health Care and Energy

c War and Iraq

d Change and McCain

(5) Which phrase was used by Democrats but not by Republicans?

a Four More Years

b Hockey Mom(s)

c Health Care

d Vice President

Discussion Questions

1. Why do you think the Democrats mentioned President Bush so many more times than the...