Republicans Begin Path to Nominating President
Ask students: What are delegates, and how are they chosen in each state? Why might "winner take all" states tip the nomination to Trump early?
Former president Donald Trump won the Iowa caucus, the first nominating event on the Republicans' schedule. But the race for the GOP nomination and the delegates who will vote at the Republican National Convention this summer is only beginning. Geoff Bennett and Domenico Montanaro of NPR discussed the long road ahead.
For a transcript of this story, click here.
Discussion Questions
- What are delegates, and how are they chosen in each state?
- When might Trump claim the nomination if he continues to do as well as hi did in Iowa, according to Domenico Montanaro?
- Why might "winner take all" states tip the nomination to Trump early?
- Who has taken a commanding lead after the first Republican nominating event of primary season?
- How might loyalists to Trump at the head of state parties help him earn the nomination?
Focus Questions
Do you think the presidential nominating process is fair? What advantages does someone like Trump have over his opponents? What could make the process more fair?
Media Literacy: What questions do you have about the nominating process? How could you find out how it works in your state?
Extension Activity
Watch this one-minute explainer from Voice of America on primaries and caucuses to find out more about the way the nominating process works. Then discuss — what advantages do some states have in voting earlier in the process? Why do you think all primaries are not held on a single day?
Republished with permission from PBS NewsHour Classroom.
PBS News Hour Classroom helps teachers and students identify the who, what, where and why-it-matters of the major national and international news stories. The site combines the best of News Hour's reliable, trustworthy news program with lesson plans developed specifically for... See More
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