English, baby!

Quite a Race

Date: Apr 04 2008

Themes: News

Intro

1. Learn Vocabulary - Learn some new vocabulary before you start the lesson.

2. Read and Prepare - Read the introduction and prepare to hear the audio.

Normally, by now, we would know which two people will be competing to become President of the United States next year. One candidate, the Republican (the conservative), will be Senator John McCain. But the Democratic (or liberal) primary is taking longer because it’s so close. Senators Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton are neck and neck.

A lot of people are very excited by Obama. Among them are the members of English, baby!. We posted a poll last summer that showed Clinton in the lead. But now Obama is ahead in a new poll. If you read this forum thread, you can watch people switch sides.

More so than any politician in recent memory, Obama seems to inspire young people. Watch Beren and Amanda talk about how their mothers are voting for Clinton.

3. Watch - Watch the video without reading the dialog.

Dialog

1. Listen and Read - Listen to the audio and read the dialog at the same time.

2. Study - Read the dialog again to see how the vocab words are used.

Beren

Amanda

Beren: So, have you been following the presidential elections?

Amanda: Did you notice my little bracelet?

Beren: “Obama ‘08 hope.” That’s rad.

Amanda: Pretty cool, right?

Beren: There’re some super-rad t-shirts pimpin’ Obama.

Amanda: Really? Pimpin’ Obama?

Beren: Totally. So you’re voting for Obama?

Amanda: Yes, I am. But it’s interesting because there’s a little divide in my family, the generational thing.

Beren: Hillary or Obama?

Amanda: Yeah. Which is kind of what’s going on right now, I feel like. It’s college-age to about early 30s or those just getting started in their career who are for Obama, but then that and older, for whatever reason, seem to be going with Hillary. That’s a pretty clear divide right there.

Beren: I think it’s an older…I don’t want to say female thing, but I don’t know, there definitely is something…I know my mom, for one, is insane about Hillary.

Amanda: Same as my mom.

Beren: Definitely. I guess it is a generational thing.

Amanda: It’s so interesting. My mom has gone so far as to call me a woman hater because I’m a female but I’m not for Hillary. And I wouldn’t take it that far. It’s not that I’m against women and that’s why I’m not voting for Hillary.

Beren: What do you dislike about Hillary?

Amanda: She doesn’t resonate with me but probably because of the stage I’m in in my life. There seems to be a huge disconnect right now with where I am and where Hillary is. And that’s great for her to be at her stage in her life, but she’s not speaking to me right now as an early 30-year-old.

Beren: I’m voting for McCain.

Amanda: You are? Really?

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Discussion

Amanda has a bracelet that shows she supports Obama. His campaign has made good use of the Web and other means of reaching young people. Beren says she likes his t-shirts.

But both Beren’s and Amanda’s mothers support Clinton. They guess that Obama, who is more idealistic, appeals to young people, while the more moderate Clinton has more older supporters.

Beren suddenly surprises Amanda by saying that she’s voting for John McCain. McCain isn’t exactly young, hip or cool, so it’s surprising that Beren likes him. But that’s the exciting thing about elections. They aren’t won on paper and people don’t always vote for whom they’re expected to.

Is your family following the US Presidential election? Do you find there to be a generational divide?

Links:
The official Ebaby! 2008 presidential election page
Ebaby! Blog about the election
New Choices: Which will come first, a black president or a woman?
Articulate This: Compliment or…

Comments

1 through 20 of 75
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linjoy

China

It is too bad to live in China as we people most do not have the right to vote.

We can’t decide who should service their people. So the country leaders do not do a good services to the people. They do whatever they want to have them rich and wealthy.

Ahshan

China

yup! i would like to vote for obama who is a cute guy!

tintee

China

Yes ,The last gun is correct.The world wants peace. I am from China ,China is walking away from a very hard time,many country help my home,I feel the world is a big family,so don't fight with each other.

mamuda89

Niger

Go out and vote
the first Tuesday in November
It's a citizen's duty
this you must remember

Let your vote be counted
so you can't say
I knew I should've voted
on election day

There seems to be little hope
in a world of violence today
Wars, hate and so much crime
seem to vanish all hope away

Beyond the shadows of darkness
is a light brightly shining beyond
It's a sweet and gentle love
reflecting upon life's golden pond

Far beyond the skies above
there's much to look forward to
A hope of eternal life to all
when this life will again be new

Wishing You Peace

Polykova

Russian Federation

I don't think that America ready for woman president

lokeshjain

India

i'm with Obama.

tarek_94

Egypt

it's very interesting i think that

Lualajing

Sudan

Hillary better quite the arace for Obama she will give MCcain arelatent situation,but Obama will keep him on the toes i think so

Lualajing

Sudan

Obama will be the best choice, it will be like anew beging so i prepare for Him (Obama), America have lost her good neighbours because of policies, therefore i think Obama will renew them !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

8diana8

Australia

Actually I like the good president, I dont really care who they are!

shinar

Indonesia

US made up of many races. Their policies also used to impacted other coutries. A leader who represented diversity is neccessary needed. vote for Barrack

shinar

Indonesia

Obama: a symbol of diversity and possibility for real

Billabong

Brazil

I think that war is the most stupid stuff in nowadays ha ha ha ha

But in my opinion the best candidate for presidenrt of USA is a person who is more diferent of Bush.

See you guys

nad1a

Greece

Obama of course!!!!

phot

Lao People's Democratic Republic

Obama is good

julihem

Nigeria

Hillary

julihem

Nigeria

well am a nigerian. if am to vote i will vote for hillary

The Jasmine

Syrian Arab Republic

In my opinion i think Hilary is better …not coz i'm woman i say that but i like her thoughts …anyway hope the becoming president whatever he was to put an end to the war …..