Election 2007
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Election Day Nov. 6, 2007
Topics in Globalization/ AP Government
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The Election Project- Mini-Edition- 25 points
Put together a campaign folder where you will assemble the following materials and commentary.  Include samples of campaign materials, articles, surveys, etc.  Make the campaign folder reader friendly.

Local Elections

1. Describe the political/geographical location of your home and list the candidates, and their party affiliations running for each of the various offices there. 

2. Find two pieces of campaign material (not bumper stickers or signs) representing each side for one of the campaigns in your area and for each piece, write a paragraph analyzing the material, describing the message in each item and discussing how effective it is in convincing you to vote for that candidate. What changes would you suggest to make this more effective?  Most of these will come in the mail.  It's OK to swap and share these with your friends.

3. Pick two campaigns and visit each candidates’ main web site, print the home page and write a paragraph analyzing which site was most effective/interesting/informative and why.

4.  Pick one campaign and make a chart that compares and contrast the positions of each candidate on what you consider to be the major issues of that campaign ( at least three issues).

5. In a newspaper, newsmagazine or on-line, find two articles about any campaign or candidates in your area that are either opinion or analysis.  In a paragraph for each, discuss the intent of the author and how fair he/she was. 

6. During the last week of the campaign (week before the elections) find an article about a poll or survey regarding the outcome of the election.  Do you agree or disagree with the poll’s predictions?  Why? 

7. Write an overall analysis of the local campaigns you have studied (one to two pages) commenting on the strategies of each side, the issues discussed and the candidates and their personalities.  What is your impression of what has been happening here?   What does this say about the democratic process in the U.S.?  What are your predictions for all of the races in your area?  After the election comment on your predictions.


National Presidential Nominations

1. List the currently active Democratic and Republican candidates in the order that you would prefer them to be president.

2. Go to the web pages of the your top two Republican  and top two Democratic candidates and do your best to find their positions on the same three issues of your choice and chart these.  Comment on any differences in apparent sincerity, honesty and clarity.

3. Research the election strategies of these candidates.  What strategies do they plan to employ involving such things as issues, timing, resources, primaries, etc. to be the successful candidate?

4.  How does the media portray each of these candidates?  Use your choice of media sources to find ou what is said about each one. Include samples. Do you detect any bias?

5. List several of the personal and/or electoral strengths and weaknesses of each of these candidates.  What is your prediction for the eventual nominees for each party?  Tie-breaker- Who will their vice-presidential running mates be?  Class winner adds three points to a 3rd quarter test or 4th quarter project.

Due Friday Nov. 9