COVID-19 Rewrites the Rules of Political Campaigning
2020-09-21
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1Madeleine Dean, a member of the U.S. House of Representatives, describes herself as a "big hugger."
2But there is no hugging or handshaking with Dean this year as she seeks to keep her House seat.
3Her political campaign is largely online to protect against the health risks of COVID-19.
4The Democratic Party is supporting Dean's candidacy.
5She represents an area north of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
6In the state of Iowa, Senator Joni Ernst is doing things differently.
7She just completed a political campaign trip to 99 counties across her state.
8Most of the time she wore a face covering, but not all of the time.
9Ernst, a Republican, spoke to medium-sized groups.
10At one point she and supporters gathered next to each other to take a picture.
11"Even in these challenging times, it's my job to show up and hear directly from all Iowans," Ernst said in a video message after finishing her trip.
12The two lawmakers show the different methods of campaigning that are appearing in a pandemic election year.
13Candidates are hoping to win over voters in races that will decide control of Congress.
14Republicans are defending a narrow three-seat majority in the Senate.
15Democrats want to hold onto or expand their majority in the House.
16President Donald Trump is setting an example for the Republicans.
17He has held large campaign events -- with few face masks.
18The Democratic Party, led by presidential nominee Joe Biden, is keeping events small and mostly online.
19The Democrats believe that voters will support them for following public health rules.
20By November, voters will decide who did things right, as the coronavirus crisis rewrites the rules of political campaigning.
21"I can't wait for the day when I can go back to knocking on doors and being at train stations to speak to people directly," Dean said during a Zoom call with reporters.
22"But we're making the most of it."
23The House and Senate campaigns are appealing to voters as opinions about COVID-19 continue to change.
24In July, an opinion survey showed that 85 percent of Americans said they were staying away from large groups.
25By August, about 75 percent of Americans said they were at least a little concerned about themselves or a family member being infected, the poll found.
26The study was a project of the Associated Press and the NORC Opinion Research Center at the University of Chicago.
27The number of new coronavirus cases nationwide is no longer rising like it had been.
28But public health experts warn that Americans' behavior will decide whether there is another rise in cases this year with the arrival of colder weather and the flu season.
29The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, or DCCC, has told lawmakers that they must set an example.
30Campaigns are looked to "as leaders in the community," said a DCCC message seen by The Associated Press.
31Online gatherings with candidates, text messaging and Zoom meet-ups are replacing the traditional campaign events and door-knocking operations.
32Republicans appear more likely to hold in-person events.
33Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell held public events in about 20 Kentucky communities in August.
34Usually, outside groups work hard in support of candidates.
35They often send volunteers or workers door to door to reach voters.
36This year, they, too, are doing things differently.
37The Congressional Leadership Fund announced it is providing $3.5 million in an effort to send people to 12 House districts that Republicans want to win.
38A Republican political advisor said the party believes that with so many Americans home because of the coronavirus crisis there is a "captive audience" of voters to reach.
39Tim Phillips of the Americans for Prosperity Action said his group started testing door knocking on June 1.
40By July, the group expanded door-knocking nationwide and found people are very willing to open up, he said.
41The American Federation of State County and Municipal Employees is launching its "big green machine."
42The effort brings together thousands of union workers and retirees to online field office.
43The aim is to help elect Biden and "candidates up and down the ballot," the union said.
44Volunteers can call voters, send text messages and take other actions.
45A union official said they find that people want to "do something."
46Back in Philadelphia, Madeleine Dean noted that there is nothing that can compare to face-to-face meetings.
47But she said she strongly believes that virtual campaign events will be enough.
48I'm Ashley Thompson.
1Madeleine Dean, a member of the U.S. House of Representatives, describes herself as a "big hugger." 2But there is no hugging or handshaking with Dean this year as she seeks to keep her House seat. Her political campaign is largely online to protect against the health risks of COVID-19. 3The Democratic Party is supporting Dean's candidacy. She represents an area north of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. 4In the state of Iowa, Senator Joni Ernst is doing things differently. She just completed a political campaign trip to 99 counties across her state. Most of the time she wore a face covering, but not all of the time. Ernst, a Republican, spoke to medium-sized groups. At one point she and supporters gathered next to each other to take a picture. 5"Even in these challenging times, it's my job to show up and hear directly from all Iowans," Ernst said in a video message after finishing her trip. 6Different methods of campaigning 7The two lawmakers show the different methods of campaigning that are appearing in a pandemic election year. Candidates are hoping to win over voters in races that will decide control of Congress. 8Republicans are defending a narrow three-seat majority in the Senate. Democrats want to hold onto or expand their majority in the House. 9President Donald Trump is setting an example for the Republicans. He has held large campaign events -- with few face masks. 10The Democratic Party, led by presidential nominee Joe Biden, is keeping events small and mostly online. The Democrats believe that voters will support them for following public health rules. 11By November, voters will decide who did things right, as the coronavirus crisis rewrites the rules of political campaigning. 12"I can't wait for the day when I can go back to knocking on doors and being at train stations to speak to people directly," Dean said during a Zoom call with reporters. "But we're making the most of it." 13Changing pollution opinion 14The House and Senate campaigns are appealing to voters as opinions about COVID-19 continue to change. In July, an opinion survey showed that 85 percent of Americans said they were staying away from large groups. By August, about 75 percent of Americans said they were at least a little concerned about themselves or a family member being infected, the poll found. 15The study was a project of the Associated Press and the NORC Opinion Research Center at the University of Chicago. 16The number of new coronavirus cases nationwide is no longer rising like it had been. But public health experts warn that Americans' behavior will decide whether there is another rise in cases this year with the arrival of colder weather and the flu season. 17The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, or DCCC, has told lawmakers that they must set an example. Campaigns are looked to "as leaders in the community," said a DCCC message seen by The Associated Press. 18Online gatherings with candidates, text messaging and Zoom meet-ups are replacing the traditional campaign events and door-knocking operations. 19Republicans appear more likely to hold in-person events. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell held public events in about 20 Kentucky communities in August. 20Usually, outside groups work hard in support of candidates. They often send volunteers or workers door to door to reach voters. This year, they, too, are doing things differently. 21The Congressional Leadership Fund announced it is providing $3.5 million in an effort to send people to 12 House districts that Republicans want to win. 22A Republican political advisor said the party believes that with so many Americans home because of the coronavirus crisis there is a "captive audience" of voters to reach. 23Tim Phillips of the Americans for Prosperity Action said his group started testing door knocking on June 1. By July, the group expanded door-knocking nationwide and found people are very willing to open up, he said. 24The American Federation of State County and Municipal Employees is launching its "big green machine." The effort brings together thousands of union workers and retirees to online field office. The aim is to help elect Biden and "candidates up and down the ballot," the union said. 25Volunteers can call voters, send text messages and take other actions. A union official said they find that people want to "do something." 26Back in Philadelphia, Madeleine Dean noted that there is nothing that can compare to face-to-face meetings. But she said she strongly believes that virtual campaign events will be enough. 27I'm Ashley Thompson. 28The Associated Press reported this story. Ashley Thompson adapted it for VOA Learning English. George Grow was the editor. 29______________________________________________________________ 30Words in This Story 31hugger - n. someone who likes to give hugs (the act of putting your arms around someone or something as a way of showing love or friendship) 32challenging - adj. difficult, sometimes in a way that is interesting or enjoyable 33knock - v. to hit something (such as a door) with the knuckles of your hand or with a hard object 34flu - n. a common disease that is caused by a virus and that causes fever, weakness, body aches, and breathing problems 35virtual - adj. existing or occurring on computers or on the Internet 36district - n. an area established by a government for official government business 37audience - n. the people who watch, read, or listen to something