This All There Is?: The Presidential Debates 2000 Introduction Using a debate format, students will research, evaluate, and decide which 2000 presidential candidate has the best foreign policy. Lesson Plan Allow five days for this activity.  Briefly explain the issues and people involved.  Assign students to portray the moderator, Bush, Gore, and (optionally) Nader and Buchanan.  The other students should be divided into Republicans, Democrats, etc.  Students can only question those not of their own party. On Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, allow time for research.  Have the candidates research with their respective parties.  Consider assigning a brief (250-500 word) essay to the party members to supplement their grade. The Debate Similar to a real debate, each side should have time for an opening and closing statement, and at least one period where candidates can question each other.  The moderator should allow for a balcned selection of questions from the audience, and let each side have a rebuttal period to the other's answers.  At the end, have the class vote to determine who won the debate.  Grades should be based upon quality and depth of research, understanding of the issues involved, and public speaking skills.