Overview: Each student will participate in a variety of roles on the campaign trail for U.S. President. Students will be following the process outlined below:
Announce Candidacy
Campaign & Debate
Primary Election/Caucus
Political Party National Convention
(Official Acceptance of Party Nomination)
Campaign & Debate
Popular Vote – General Election
(Officially: First Tuesday after first Monday in November)
Electoral College Votes (December)
Inauguration Day!
President takes Oath of Office
Each class is divided into two groups each representing a political party. During the class students devise campaign speeches and political advertisements based on their party’s political platform. Every class will be divided into a Y political party and a Z political party. Each party will have 5 Y candidates and 5 Z candidates.
To narrow down the field of candidates we will have a mock primary. It is understood that each person holds different political beliefs; however, for the sake of this mock election process you should promote your political candidate and the party’s beliefs and try to convince the other participants that your candidate should win on Primary Election Day.
Y Political Party Platform Z Political Party Platform
Private ownership of healthcare Supports universal healthcare
Supports reduction of taxes Increase in taxes & government
and government services services
Supports 2nd amendment right to bear arms Supports limits to right to bear arms
Not supportive of privacy legislation Supports privacy legislation
Traditionally supported by big business Traditionally supported by labor groups
Each candidate may also devise questions on the following issues:
Education (College education & funding, etc.)
Economy (income taxes, military spending, etc.)
Health Insurance (universal, etc.)
Privacy
Foreign Policy (Russia, China, etc.)
Immigration
Second Amendment
POLITICAL PARTIES
Political Parties are organizations that mobilize voters on behalf of a common set of interests, concerns, and goals. In many nations, parties play a crucial role in the democratic process. They formulate political and policy agendas, select candidates, conduct election campaigns, and monitor the work of their elected representatives. Political parties link citizens and the government, providing a means by which people can have a voice in their government. (Encarta, 2003)
Private ownership of healthcare
Supports reduction of taxes and government services
Supports 2nd amendment right to bear arms
Not supportive of privacy legislation
Traditionally supported by big business
Supports strong military
Supports universal healthcare
Increase in taxes and government services
Supports limits to right to bear arms
Supports privacy legislation to protect citizens
Traditionally supported by labor groups
Supports strong military