Pre-reading questions:
- What are the differences between Democrats and Republicans?
- Can these two different parties reconcile? Why or why not?
Many people know that the Obama administration and the Bush administration seem like entirely different worlds, and yet to the surprise of many, Michelle Obama and George W. Bush have build up a firm friendship. The two were photographed at the opening of the Smithsonian National Museum of African-American History and Culture, where Bush received a warm hug from Mrs. Obama. Furthermore, this was not the first time the former first lady and the 43rd president of the U.S. have come together, in fact they held hands during a singing of “The Battle Hymn of the Republic”.
Ellen DeGeneres, who happens to host one of the most famous TV shows in the United States, had an interview with Bush. In the said TV interview, Bush gave his statement into their friendship with Mrs. Obama, he said: “(It) surprised everybody. That’s what’s so weird about society today, (the surprise) that people on opposite sides of the political spectrum can actually like each other.” Nevertheless, Bush does not get along as well with Michelle’s husband. “Let’s put it this way, he’s never given me a hug that way,” he joked to DeGeneres.
Vocabulary:
photographed – capture a photo
first lady – the wife of the president of the US or other head of state
statement – clear expression of something
weird – strange and different from anything natural or ordinary
political spectrum – a system of classifying different political positions
Comprehension Questions:
- Who is the former president who supported the Republican Party?
- What political party does Michelle Obama support?
- What do you call a person who supports the Democratic Party?
- What are the names of the two political parties in United States?
- In which TV show did Bush appear for an interview?
Express Your Opinion:
- Do you also have political parties in Japan? Please explain your answer.
- Do you believe that the conflict between two political parties may end in the future? Why or why not?
- What can you say about the friendship of Michelle Obama and George Bush? Explain your answer.