2. Lesson 1 The Electoral Process:
Voting
6 Characteristics of a good candidate (national)
Self: Confidence, ambition and drive
Scratch: money raised
Staff: larger, better qualified staff with more money
Skills: people skills, communicate with voters
Stuff: natural talent, background good, media savvy
Service: devotion to political service
Run for President
1. Announce
2. Primary – by political party
3. Convention – party platform
4. General election – November (1st
Tuesday after 1st
Monday
5. Electoral college - December
6. Inauguration day – January 20th
@noon.
3. Lesson 1: Voting
Electoral College
There are a total of 538 electoral votes
Every states = their representation in Congress
Texas has 34 (32 House/2 Senate)
3 for District of Columbia
435 members of the House + 100 Senators + 3 DC = 538
270 electors needed to win the presidency
http://www.270towin.com/
4. Lesson 2: Two Party System
Effects of the Two Party System
Continues because of the winner-take-all electoral system
Works on a National Level
Allows for stability in our government
Local/state 3rd
party candidates can win
Independent means no party
Party Organization
National Party Organization
DNC/RNC – raise money, organize get out the vote, put on the
conventions, create the party platform
Elected officials – Congress
Majority Leader, majority Whip
Minority Leader, minority Whip
Public
Give money, vote, work for campaigns, can or are likely to change party
affiliation
5. Lesson 3: Public Opinion
3 Levels
Opinions: changing/political questions
Attitudes : Beliefs about policy (abortion/death penalty
Values: fundamental beliefs, generally not changing
(life, liberty, pursuit of happiness/religion, etc.)
4 Characteristics of Public Opinion
Direction – what does majority think
Stability – has it changed or not (how fast)
Salience – how important is it (relevance,
care)
Strength – the intensity of publics views
Public divided into 3 groups:
Mass – 80% pays very little
attention
Attentive – 15-20% voices
concerns over
issues
Opinion makers 3-5% shape
6. Lesson 3: Media
Media Forms
TV, Radio (talk), Print (newspaper, magazines), Internet.
Mass or Niche
Educational/Entertainment
Highbrow/Lowbrow
Media Slant
Controversy: hotly debated issue (abortion)
Scandal: issues that raise moral or ethical outrage.
Uniqueness: issues that are strange or unusual.
Relevance: issues that have broad appeal and that relate to their
target audience.
Personality: issues that involve interesting, unusual, or otherwise
fascinating people.
Conflict: issues that involve some form of conflict between clearly
defined groups.
Simplicity: issues that can be explained in a brief amount of time.
7. Lesson 4: Interest Groups
Groups who share common interest
People naturally join with those they agree
with
Sources of Power
Membership – larger more powerful (AARP 30 M)
Mobilization – cohesive group (similar beliefs) move
them to action (prolife, MADD)
Money – ability to hire legal rep, give to campaigns,
advertise
Skills – provide credible information (reports, studies)
Strategy – how to use the sources power
Inside – influence elected officials directly
8. Lesson 5: Lobbyists
Lobbyist : an attempt to influence legislation
Got name from standing in the lobby of Congress
Building
Work for an interest group
Provide information to Congress/Public
Inside contact –
directly to elected officials, use their staff or other
members to have access or influence
Outside contact –
advertisement or information to public to influence
congress; Astroturf (fake public opinion)
9. Lesson 6: Responsible
Government
Political parties – help create a stable system
Adopt a platform (ideas/issues they stand on)
Recruit candidates
Inform people about platform
Organize campaigns
Hold political officials accountable (to platform)
Organize the government
Parliamentary system
Better job of responding to the public
No term time periods, if government is not doing what
public wants they can call for new elections
Easily swayed by public opinion
10. Lesson 6: Responsible
Government
Political parties – help create a stable system
Adopt a platform (ideas/issues they stand on)
Recruit candidates
Inform people about platform
Organize campaigns
Hold political officials accountable (to platform)
Organize the government
Parliamentary system
Better job of responding to the public
No term time periods, if government is not doing what
public wants they can call for new elections
Easily swayed by public opinion
