Brief Research Assignment: The White House Project and the Al Jazeera Website

This brief research assignment provides you with an opportunity to do a bit of research regarding the U.S. presidential campaign. After carefully reading the questions below, write a paper containing responses to each question. The assignment is worth up to 25 points.

Part I

Visit the website for The White House Project at http://www.thewhitehouseproject.org/. Now follow the directions below and answer each of the questions:

• 1. Click on "About Us" and then "Mission." What is the purpose of this website?

• 2. Go back to the home page. Click on "Newsroom" and then "Press Releases" and read one of the press releases. Which one did you read? (Be sure to give the title of the release.) What is the release about? Briefly discuss it.

• 3. Go back to the home page. Click on "Culture & Media" and then "Research & Polls" and read one of the articles. Which one did you read? (Be sure to give the title of the article.) What is the article about? Briefly discuss it.

• 4. Now search the website and find and read an article on Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton or Republican vice-presidential candidate Gov. Sarah Palin on this website. What did you find? (Be sure to give the title of the article.) What is the article about? Briefly discuss it.

Part II

Visit the website for Al-Jazeera at http://english.aljazeera.net/English. Now follow the directions below and answer each of the questions:

• 1. Click on "About Us" and then "Corporate Profile." What is the purpose of this website?

• 2. Now look to the left-hand column and click on "Focus" and read one of the press releases regarding president Barack Obama and foreign affairs. Which one did you read? (Be sure to give the title of the release.) What is the release about? Briefly discuss it.

Mechanics

Your paper must be typed, double-spaced, Times New Roman font style, 12 pt. font size, with 1"" margins (all four), and 3-5 pages (not 2½ or 5½ ) total in length. The paper is due on and no later than Monday, November 30. (A late paper will be penalized one letter grade.)

Part I

Question 1

The site aims to support women"s leadership in society and politics, promoting opportunities for women to succeed as leaders in the world, from local communities to the U.S. presidency. [1]

Question 2

Local teen girls learn how to become U.S. President [2]

This release published on February 9, 2009, is an invitation to a training activity that took place on March 7, 2009, in Grand Rapids, Michigan. This event "aims to educate teens about the history of women"s leadership, build the skills needed to run for elected office, and explore the campaign trail leading to the White House." It is intended "for potential female Presidential candidates eligible to run for office in the year 2028 and beyond, as well as young women planning to lead a political life."

This activity is an instance of the commitment that The White House Project has to support women leadership and involvement in political life, not only in the local spheres but also at the national scope. The project is so ambitious that it intends a woman to become the president of the United States.

Question 3

Why women matter summit [3]

This article offers examples and lessons about women"s political leadership in the United States and abroad, with the purpose of incentivizing their involvement and participation in political life, aiming especially high level positions.

Referring to success stories is an excellent way to promote an idea. That was precisely the strategy used by the "Why Women Matter: Lessons About Women"s Political Leadership from Home and Abroad" summit. The positive outcome from women"s participation in politics is the proof The White House Project used in this summit to highlight the necessity of increasing the number of women involved in political life.

Question 4

How was Hillary Clinton impacted women in politics? [4]

In this article, Faith Winter, who is the Training and Outreach Director for the White House Project, [5] shares her thoughts on Hillary Rodham Clinton"s impact on American politics and women"s involvement. Faith Winter considers that Hillary Clinton"s candidacy had a profound impact that will affect the way women presidential contenders are seen in future elections. A woman with high possibilities to become the president of the United States arose special attention and interest to how women were voting, revealing that their voices and votes can make a difference. The support that millions of Americans gave to Hillary Clinton"s candidacy is an inspiration for a new generation of women to step into politics and become the leaders to produce positive changes in the United States and in the world.