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.