Quite a Race

Date: Apr 04 2008
Category: Real Life

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.

English, baby! English Lesson Video

English, baby! English lesson audio.

Next Step: Dialog

Ask Ebaby! English Questions about this lesson

Intro

Dialog

Amanda

Beren

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?

Grammar Point

Be careful using that new word you just learned, “pimpin’.” A reporter recently got in trouble for using the phrase “pimped out” on TV. To pimp something out means to make it do work for you. The reporter said that Hillary had “pimped out” her daughter to help her campaign. Clinton wasn’t happy about the remark.

Discussion

Discussion - Join the discussion to learn more and make friends.

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…

Comprehension Quiz

If Obama defeats Clinton...
- ...he will be president.
- ...he will have to face McCain.
- ...it will be an absolute miracle.
Amanda says that whether people support Clinton or Obama has a lot to do with…
- ...age.
- ...income.
- ...race.
Who is Beren voting for?
- Obama
- Clinton
- McCain

...

Comments

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02:09 AM Apr 05 2008 \| Reply
hands_1411 Viet Nam	30s or olders are more likely to vote for Hillary and the youngers for Obama ? I haven't realized this thing before. Anyway, I don't know how much their campains have to do here, towards the voters ? Are there some citizens in the United States just vote for their nominates' appearance ?

02:09 AM Apr 05 2008 | Reply

hands_1411

Viet Nam

30s or olders are more likely to vote for Hillary and the youngers for Obama ? I haven't realized this thing before.

Anyway, I don't know how much their campains have to do here, towards the voters ? Are there some citizens in the United States just vote for their nominates' appearance ?

01:00 AM Apr 05 2008 \| Reply
ali7mdan Saudi Arabia	In actual i see obama honest, and I sure obama can make change.

01:00 AM Apr 05 2008 | Reply

ali7mdan

Saudi Arabia

In actual i see obama honest, and I sure obama can make change.

12:06 AM Apr 05 2008 \| Reply
Bernina China	I don't like Hillary may be because her strong atitute to China .

12:06 AM Apr 05 2008 | Reply

Bernina

China

I don't like Hillary may be because her strong atitute to China .

11:33 PM Apr 04 2008 \| Reply
jojo Mclaughlin Cambodia	They all have their own good! It’s hard to select one of them to be a president of US. For the sake of women, I would vote for Hillary Clinton. But I also wanted to vote for Obama, because I hated the American History about anti-races, exspecailly of the colored-people.

11:33 PM Apr 04 2008 | Reply

jojo Mclaughlin

Cambodia

They all have their own good! It’s hard to select one of them to be a president of US. For the sake of women, I would vote for Hillary Clinton. But I also wanted to vote for Obama, because I hated the American History about anti-races, exspecailly of the colored-people.

07:45 PM Apr 04 2008 \| Reply
mahmoudjeexaa Somalia	QUITE A RACE!! This America election is really generational Vote and whites support their Candidate Hillary as well African Americans they support their King Mr. OBama. America You should let the president Mr.Obama to be U.S president I'm sure he will get soon the Vote. Americans they believe WHITE SUPREMACY stop! the discrimination. President Barack H. Obama VIva Viva Viva Good luck

07:45 PM Apr 04 2008 | Reply

mahmoudjeexaa

Somalia

QUITE A RACE!!

This America election is really generational Vote and whites support their Candidate Hillary as well African Americans they support their King Mr. OBama.

America You should let the president Mr.Obama to be U.S president I'm sure he will get soon the Vote. Americans they believe WHITE SUPREMACY stop! the discrimination.

President Barack H. Obama VIva Viva Viva

Good luck

06:22 PM Apr 04 2008 \| Reply
katherineX China	I have never be care of this kind of thing.

06:22 PM Apr 04 2008 | Reply

katherineX

China

I have never be care of this kind of thing.

01:38 PM Apr 04 2008 \| Reply
freedom-soul United Arab Emirates	Amin ?? why that ? not all Americans like what you said …... i mean they was agnist their president sometimes… they don't like the War just like us but what they can DO ?? after all ?? they are just a citizes in their country .. JUST the president have the remote control !!!! OF course i am voting for "Obama" .... i feel this is his place and feel that the world will change to the best .. Obama 4ever … Love him wallah … and so what ? black or white … he still have the things which can make him an president GOOD luck for Him … waiting FOR the reuslt ..

01:38 PM Apr 04 2008 | Reply

freedom-soul

United Arab Emirates

Amin ?? why that ? not all Americans like what you said …... i mean they was agnist their president sometimes… they don't like the War just like us but what they can DO ?? after all ?? they are just a citizes in their country .. JUST the president have the remote control !!!!

OF course i am voting for "Obama" .... i feel this is his place and feel that the world will change to the best .. Obama 4ever … Love him wallah … and so what ? black or white … he still have the things which can make him an president GOOD luck for Him … waiting FOR the reuslt ..

01:27 PM Apr 04 2008 \| Reply
lilyxu United States	Sure Mccain is better choice. Obama only got the big mouth! Hillary even worse!!

01:27 PM Apr 04 2008 | Reply

lilyxu

United States

Sure Mccain is better choice. Obama only got the big mouth! Hillary even worse!!

01:05 PM Apr 04 2008 \| Reply
amin elsogher Egypt	All Americans are selfish, Thy love themselves Hate all people especially The Arabs which I’m one of them and So I didn’t important about Americans stuff. Although America needs good man who govern it to inhibit all Wars and problem are with America. Thank you

01:05 PM Apr 04 2008 | Reply

amin elsogher

Egypt

All Americans are selfish, Thy love themselves
Hate all people especially The Arabs which I’m one of them and
So I didn’t important about Americans stuff.
Although America needs good man who govern it to inhibit all
Wars and problem are with America.
Thank you

01:04 PM Apr 04 2008 \| Reply
amin elsogher Egypt	All Americans are selfish, Thy love themselves Hate all people especially The Arabs which I’m one of them and So I didn’t important about Americans stuff. Although America needs good man who govern it to inhibit all Wars and problem are with America. Thank you

01:04 PM Apr 04 2008 | Reply

amin elsogher

Egypt

01:02 PM Apr 04 2008 \| Reply
amin elsogher Egypt	All Americans are selfish, Thy love themselves Hate all people especially The Arabs which I'm one of them andSo I didn't important about Americans stuff. Although America needs good man who govern it to inhibit all Wars and problem are with America. Thank you

01:02 PM Apr 04 2008 | Reply

amin elsogher

Egypt

All Americans are selfish, Thy love themselves Hate all people especially The Arabs which I'm one of them andSo I didn't important about Americans stuff. Although America needs good man who govern it to inhibit all Wars and problem are with America. Thank you

12:12 PM Apr 04 2008 \| Reply
kh_nabi Afghanistan	Hi & Salam to all of you i like and love that president who don’t like War…..........................................

12:12 PM Apr 04 2008 | Reply

kh_nabi

Afghanistan

Hi & Salam to all of you
i like and love that president who don’t like War…..........................................

10:38 AM Apr 04 2008 \| Reply
batista Chile	it would be interesting to see the first black president in the usa.

10:38 AM Apr 04 2008 | Reply

batista

Chile

it would be interesting to see the first black president in the usa.

09:34 AM Apr 04 2008 \| Reply
abdallah2nn Palestinian Territory, Occupied	I really like the discussion between the two girl

09:34 AM Apr 04 2008 | Reply

abdallah2nn

Palestinian Territory, Occupied

I really like the discussion between the two girl

08:45 AM Apr 04 2008 \| Reply
O_O Taiwan	Obama

08:45 AM Apr 04 2008 | Reply

O_O

Taiwan

Obama

07:11 AM Apr 04 2008 \| Reply
strawberry1976 China	i support Hillary

07:11 AM Apr 04 2008 | Reply

strawberry1976

China

i support Hillary

06:51 AM Apr 04 2008 \| Reply
Christoph07 Germany	Its very very exciting – the run to White House. I would voting Obama. He has the most power to make changings. U.S.A. needs much of changings to get a better standing in the world. Look at the NATO-Meeting these days. Everybody is ignoring president Bush. No one want to have pictures in newspapers with him. Also the candidates of Republikans did not want to have pictures in newspapers or TV with George Walker Bush in U.S.A.- thats weird and not normally. Everyone knows that US-Administration are kicking human rights when they keep things like "Waterboarding" or making wars without real reasons. Now everyone is clear- Mass-destruction-weapons in Irak was a lie. I think to get a change its necessary to vote not only another person as president. Its better to vote a president from another party. For a radical change – Obama is the best. He is most authentic for that. Clinton is to much fanatic and I dont like fanatic people. She would do everything to get the power – I have fear of that character. When Clinton wins against Obama – Mc Cain will have the best chance. When Obama wins than it will be more exiting. But when people like Beren are voting Mc Cain than I am sure that he will win the election. I think he will be better than Hillary Clinton. The discussion here stopped at a exiting point. We want to see more about that. So please EBABY give us more of this theme. EBABY is an international platform and it brings closer the culture of an adult democratic system.

06:51 AM Apr 04 2008 | Reply

Christoph07

Germany

Its very very exciting – the run to White House.

I would voting Obama. He has the most power to make changings.

U.S.A. needs much of changings to get a better standing in the world. Look at the NATO-Meeting these days. Everybody is ignoring president Bush. No one want to have pictures in newspapers with him. Also the candidates of Republikans did not want to have pictures in newspapers or TV with George Walker Bush in U.S.A.- thats weird and not normally. Everyone knows that US-Administration are kicking human rights when they keep things like "Waterboarding" or making wars without real reasons. Now everyone is clear- Mass-destruction-weapons in Irak was a lie.

I think to get a change its necessary to vote not only another person as president. Its better to vote a president from another party. For a radical change – Obama is the best. He is most authentic for that. Clinton is to much fanatic and I dont like fanatic people. She would do everything to get the power – I have fear of that character.

When Clinton wins against Obama – Mc Cain will have the best chance. When Obama wins than it will be more exiting. But when people like Beren are voting Mc Cain than I am sure that he will win the election. I think he will be better than Hillary Clinton.

The discussion here stopped at a exiting point. We want to see more about that. So please EBABY give us more of this theme. EBABY is an international platform and it brings closer the culture of an adult democratic system.

06:34 AM Apr 04 2008 \| Reply
Kown France	Hey, My familly don't follow the presidential election..ever they are not interresting by our own county..:) I think it s always same, Politics men speak speak but..it s not the futur or the hope.

06:34 AM Apr 04 2008 | Reply

Kown

France

Hey, My familly don't follow the presidential election..ever they are not interresting by our own county..:) I think it s always same, Politics men speak speak but..it s not the futur or the hope.

06:08 AM Apr 04 2008 \| Reply
ArtLover South Korea	I like Sen.Obama,personally. Who will be U.S's next president?? It must be really hard for next president to unravel a ressesion..

06:08 AM Apr 04 2008 | Reply

ArtLover

South Korea

I like Sen.Obama,personally.

Who will be U.S's next president??

It must be really hard for next president to unravel a ressesion..

05:59 AM Apr 04 2008 \| Reply
thiago Brazil	yeh Volts I agree with you man \o/. But I thing is most important to know about the presidents, thus we can know what he or she wants… =) That´s it! =) See you guys. bye!

05:59 AM Apr 04 2008 | Reply