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Can Your Team Navigate the Electoral College Map And Lead Your
Candidate to Victory? |
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Choose Your Philosophy, Your Candidate, Your Views on the Issues, & Your Spending Wisely.
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Day One: Understanding How the United States Elects a President
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Succession- the process of a new leader replacing the old leader
Electoral College- the system in the United States in which the president is elected. Electors from each state choose a candidate based on the popular vote of the state. How Many Electoral Votes Does Each State Have? The number is determined by the members of the House of Representative a state has (based on population) plus 2 for the Senators. States with larger populations will have more electoral votes |
Political Party Work
Choosing a Political Party Name
It is up to your political party to have a name. The two major parties are named after forms of governments (Democrats and Republicans) and neither means they support the one form over the other. However political parties such as the Socialist Party or Communist Party do reflect the type of government they endorse. Lesser known parties (called Third Parties) often take the name of a main issue they are concerned about. For example the Green Party focuses on environmental issues & the Free Soil Party of the 1800's was anti-slavery. Often these smaller parties will take a name that transfers a good idea to their party such as the Constitution Party.
It is up to your political party to come up with a name. Do you want it to be based on the vision you have for the party, or be words that transfer good feelings to your party. What will be your symbol and why did you chose it? (The Democrats is the Donkey and the Republicans the Elephant). The Libertarian Party (another 3rd party in the U.S.) has a porcupine as its animal mascot.
It is up to your political party to have a name. The two major parties are named after forms of governments (Democrats and Republicans) and neither means they support the one form over the other. However political parties such as the Socialist Party or Communist Party do reflect the type of government they endorse. Lesser known parties (called Third Parties) often take the name of a main issue they are concerned about. For example the Green Party focuses on environmental issues & the Free Soil Party of the 1800's was anti-slavery. Often these smaller parties will take a name that transfers a good idea to their party such as the Constitution Party.
It is up to your political party to come up with a name. Do you want it to be based on the vision you have for the party, or be words that transfer good feelings to your party. What will be your symbol and why did you chose it? (The Democrats is the Donkey and the Republicans the Elephant). The Libertarian Party (another 3rd party in the U.S.) has a porcupine as its animal mascot.
Day TWO: Choosing a Political Philosophy
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https://www.studentnewsdaily.com/conservative-vs-liberal-beliefs/
We all want the same things in life. We want freedom; we want the chance for prosperity; we want as few people suffering as possible; we want healthy children; we want to have crime-free streets. The argument is how to achieve them…\ Liberals believe in government action to achieve equal opportunity and equality for all. It is the duty of the government to alleviate social ills and to protect civil liberties and individual and human rights. Believe the role of the government should be to guarantee that no one is in need. Liberal policies generally emphasize the need for the government to solve problems. Strongest in Northeastern State, Pacific Coast States, and states around Great Lakes Other terms you may hear: Democrats, Left, Blue States Conservatives believe in personal responsibility, limited government, free markets (people should be free to trade things with one another without the government involvement, individual liberty, traditional American values and a strong national defense. Believe the role of government should be to provide people the freedom necessary to pursue their own goals. Conservative policies generally emphasize empowerment of the individual to solve problems. Strongest in Southern States around Gulf of Mexico & states south of the Ohio River, "Corn Belt" states of Midwest & around Rocky Mountains. Other terms you may hear: Republicans, Right, Red States |
Moderates are people who do not want to be identified as either Liberal or Conservative and see many problems as complex rather than it is right or wrong based on a political belief. A moderate can exist with each political party, meaning they tend to believe like either Republicans or Democrats but there are some beliefs they are not going to fight strongly for if at all. In the game, being a moderate candidate may help you a bit in some states, however, since they try to stand in the middle, their supporters are not as passionate as those who choose one side or another.
Political Party Work
Choosing a Political Philosophy
You must choose if your political party will be Very Conservative, Conservative, Liberal, Very Liberal, or Moderate. The choice you make will effect votes in the states where that philosophy is strongest, but may also impact decisions that are made by your campaign or your opponents later in the game..
You must choose if your political party will be Very Conservative, Conservative, Liberal, Very Liberal, or Moderate. The choice you make will effect votes in the states where that philosophy is strongest, but may also impact decisions that are made by your campaign or your opponents later in the game..
THE GAME: RUNNING YOUR CAMPAIGN
SMALL STATE CAMPAIGNING
The team selects TWO different states in which to campaign. The team then rolls TWO dice. They can then choose what state gets which roll. (If the other team in the political party chooses to campaign also, they cannot chose the same two states). YOU MAY NOT CAMPAIGN IN CALIFORNIA, NEW YORK, TEXAS, OR FLORIDA)
LARGE STATE CAMPAIGNING
There are 4 states where you can go fundraising (California, New York, Florida, and Texas). The team announces which of those 4 states they are going to fundraise in and roll TWO dice. At least 1/2 of the total has to go to the state they selected and the rest can be divided up among any other state. The whole roll can be sent to the fundraising state as well. (ex. declare Texas and roll a 9. 5 points have to go to Texas and you can spend the other 4 any way you would like. You could say 7 in Texas and 2 somewhere else, or even all 9 in Texas with 0 points to spend anywhere else). BOTH TEAMS IN A PARTY CANNOT CHOSE FUNDRAISE ON THE SAME TURN.
You also will take a Politics Card and must take the action it describes. Most are positive, a few are negative.
The team selects TWO different states in which to campaign. The team then rolls TWO dice. They can then choose what state gets which roll. (If the other team in the political party chooses to campaign also, they cannot chose the same two states). YOU MAY NOT CAMPAIGN IN CALIFORNIA, NEW YORK, TEXAS, OR FLORIDA)
LARGE STATE CAMPAIGNING
There are 4 states where you can go fundraising (California, New York, Florida, and Texas). The team announces which of those 4 states they are going to fundraise in and roll TWO dice. At least 1/2 of the total has to go to the state they selected and the rest can be divided up among any other state. The whole roll can be sent to the fundraising state as well. (ex. declare Texas and roll a 9. 5 points have to go to Texas and you can spend the other 4 any way you would like. You could say 7 in Texas and 2 somewhere else, or even all 9 in Texas with 0 points to spend anywhere else). BOTH TEAMS IN A PARTY CANNOT CHOSE FUNDRAISE ON THE SAME TURN.
You also will take a Politics Card and must take the action it describes. Most are positive, a few are negative.
Nominating a Candidate
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Primary- in order to determine their party's candidate, political parties in certain states hold typical elections to determine the choice of the state
Caucus-in order to determine their party's candidate, political parties in certain states hold small meetings throughout the state of party members. After some time to discuss the strength of each candidate, voters are told where to move in order to show who they will support. National Convention-each political party holds meeting of all the delegates (representatives) each candidate won in each state's primary or caucus. A roll call of the states is taken announcing the delegates each state won, and when a candidate receives over 50% of the votes, he/she becomes the party nominee for president. |
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Selecting a Vice-President
Another task of the National Convention is to choose the vice-presidential candidate. The most important qualification for the VP candidate is that the public will believe that this person could serve as president if some tragedy befalls the commander in chief.
The combination of the president and the vice-president are typically called the party's ticket.
Other considerations when selecting a VP candidate are:
1) What state do they come from? If he/she is popular from that state or region and help in winning electoral votes from that area?
2) Will the VP balance the ticket by offering a contrast, or a difference, to the Presidential candidate? For example, do they provide experience in an area or knowledge of an important issue in the year's campaign? Are they known to believe slightly more or less of the political party's philosophy? (For example, for the Democrats are running someone who is Mostly Liberal, do they choose a VP candidate that is Somwehat Liberal? If the Republicans are running a candidate that is Somewhat Conservative do you choose a candidate that is Mostly Conservative?) It depends if you want to attract independent voters or shore up you base (making sure voters in your own party are motivated to support and vote for your candidate)
Another task of the National Convention is to choose the vice-presidential candidate. The most important qualification for the VP candidate is that the public will believe that this person could serve as president if some tragedy befalls the commander in chief.
The combination of the president and the vice-president are typically called the party's ticket.
Other considerations when selecting a VP candidate are:
1) What state do they come from? If he/she is popular from that state or region and help in winning electoral votes from that area?
2) Will the VP balance the ticket by offering a contrast, or a difference, to the Presidential candidate? For example, do they provide experience in an area or knowledge of an important issue in the year's campaign? Are they known to believe slightly more or less of the political party's philosophy? (For example, for the Democrats are running someone who is Mostly Liberal, do they choose a VP candidate that is Somwehat Liberal? If the Republicans are running a candidate that is Somewhat Conservative do you choose a candidate that is Mostly Conservative?) It depends if you want to attract independent voters or shore up you base (making sure voters in your own party are motivated to support and vote for your candidate)
Majority and Plurality
Political Party Work
Use the link to see a list of the candidates and chose a presidential and vice presidential candidate. You MUST chose at least one of your candidates that matches your political philosophy.
Candidate List
Candidate List
Day Four: Campaigning
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Propaganda Party Project
You need to create a Google Slide show that acts like a TV commercial advertising for ANY CANDIDATE LISTED ON THE CANDIDATE PAGE ON DAY 3 or against your opponent in class with clear usage of at least ONE of the propaganda techniques (multiple slides, it must include you talking and/or music playing when you display it, watch example below. |
Bandwagon everybody is doing it, you want to be like everyone else, so you should do it too
Fear similar to card stacking, but only informs about the words case scenario or if you make the wrong decision a catastrophe will happen Testimonial a famous person or person who is an expert tells you they use or believe something, you should too. Just because they famous or an expert. Doesn’t necessarily mean they are right. Transfer using colors or symbols that make people associate the good ideas (or bad) to the name or person the ad is targeting (here the symbol is the good thoughts of the American flag) Glittering Generalities using general, nonspecific words so you can see a product or person in a good or bad way (determined by what emotion you want your audience to feel) Plain Folks common people, just like you, are doing it, thinking it, etc. so you should too Repetition repeating an idea, word, or image in order to make it stick in a person’s head Name Calling or Ad Hominem personal attacks or using negative words to present bad thoughts about your competition Card Stacking only presenting one side of an argument often in a distorted way. In this ad, we see that the fries are 40% less fat and 30% less calories, but does not discuss if even these fries are healthy. |
Day FIVE: Choosing a Side on an Issue
Political Party Work
Your task is to read the issue and decide which position your candidate will hold. How you decide will earn you votes in some states while hurting you in others. Will you endorse the view that matches what the majority in your group believes, or go for the view that will give you the best chances to win. (Remember, you can go against the political philosophy of your candidate, but if you do that to many times, you will depress the amount of votes for him (voters from your political party wont show up to vote). You can also choose "NO VIEW" but do this for more than one view people are not going to know what you stand for.
ISSUE ONE: The Environment
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Liberal View
Climate Change is real and caused by human activity mostly when it comes to burning fossil fuels such as coal and petroleum. (not just cars, but also to run the turbines that creates our electricity). Not only using them, but acquiring them from the ground through mining and oil rigs (and we have to deal with the damage from spills). We must bring these activities that pollute the environment to an end and/or heavily regulated them in order to keep the environment clean and encourage more eco-friendly sources of energy (solar, wind, etc). If we do not do anything, the world could become worse to live in a short period of time. STATES VOTE PICK UP: New York, New Jersey, California, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Delaware, Maryland, Washington D.C., Colorado, Washington, Oregon, Illinois, Montana |
Conservative View
We need to take in account environmental concerns along side economic ones. What is the trade off in reducing greenhouse gases? What prices will go up? How will it effect jobs? Is the reduction really going to make an impact? If the U.S. reduced its carbon footprint but countries such as India & China do not, it will have no effect on the environment and our economy will suffer. Fossil Fuels such as gasoline are still the cheapest and most efficient ways to power our society. (the least efficient/expensive is wind power). The issue with electric cars is the fact that young kids in Africa need to go in dangerous mines to retrieve the cobalt needed for the batteries. STATES VOTE PICK UP: North Dakota, West Virginia, Texas, Louisiana, Pennsylvania, Alaska, Wyoming, Oklahoma, New Mexico, Alabama |
ISSUE TWO: Gun Control
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Liberal View
With the amount of people who are victims of gun violence, we have to admit there is a problem. A solution to this problem would be to restrict the amount of guns that are out in public. Less guns, less gun violence. Yes, carrying a gun can help protect you, but it also leads to more accidents. And how does a military style weapon going to be used in your protection. Leave protection to trained professional. The second amendment was written in a time when it took some time to load a musket, today a simple pull of a trigger could release several bullets at once. STATES VOTE PICK UP: New York, New Jersey, California, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Delaware, Maryland, Washington D.C., Illinois, Hawaii, Wisconsin, Michigan, Virginia, Minnesota |
, Conservative View
The second amendment is clear, "the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed." People should be able to protect themselves just having a gun can be a deterrent to crime. In a sense, when you create a law to restrict people from having guns, you are punishing law abiding citizens because of the bad things criminals do with guns (and the bad people will still find a way to get guns anyway). STATES VOTE PICK UP: Texas, Oklahoma, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Vermont, New Hampshire, Arizona, Utah, Georgia, Kentucky, Kansas, Montana, Alaska, Wyoming, West Virginia |
ISSUE THREE: The Military
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Liberal View
Our troops are spread out around the world, policing other countries instead of protecting our own. We should be attempting peaceful agreements through dialogue and negotiation rather than force & intimidation. Reducing our military will provide money that can be better served helping people in our own country STATES VOTE PICK UP: New York, California, Vermont, Colorado, Oregon, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Washington D.C., Maryland, Wisconsin, Iowa. New Mexico, Nevada, Minnesota, Illinois, Michigan |
Conservative View
If we do not keep our troops around the world, another power will step into the vacuum we have created. The U.S. has brought freedom to many countries around the world, and serve to protect our allies, maintaining the balance of power that currently exists. Reducing the military will endanger this and may have us fighting a more costly war at a later date. STATES VOTE PICK UP: Alabama, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, Utah, Georgia, Washington, Texas, Kentucky, Tennessee, Ohio, Indiana, Wyoming, Idaho, Louisiana |
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ISSUE FOUR: Taxes and Welfare
Liberal View
The government is the only institution large enough to provide for people who are less fortunate. We need to provide food stamps & government assistance to help those in need. And it does come with a cost, so wealthier Americans should pay their fair share in taxes in order to provide these charitable services. STATES VOTE PICK UP: New York, California, Hawaii, Washington D.C., Maryland, Virginia, Delaware, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Vermont, Rhode Island, Illinois, Michigan, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Nevada, Arizona, New Mexico |
Conservative View
Lower classes pay little if any taxes & the rich can find loopholes. Most tax dollars go to big states & much of the tax burden falls on the middle class. Instead of welfare, allow people to be choose to charitable. Government is not effective in spending money where needed, & will just ask for more (thru taxes) instead of cutting. Provide incentives for people in need to find a job and provide a path to home ownership so they feel responsible and capable rather than handouts. STATES VOTE PICK UP: Alabama, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, North Dakota, South Dakota, New Hampshire, Indiana, Kansas, Nebraska, Texas, Oklahoma, Florida, Louisiana, Arkansas, Missouri, Idaho, Utah, Wyoming, Montana, Alaska |
ISSUE FIVE: Education
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Liberal View
Public Schools are the best place to promote democracy since people from all social and economic situations can attend. Tax dollars should not be going to religious schools and even with vouchers (payments given directly to a student's parents who send it to whatever school they want their kids to attend) sometimes will not pay the expenses at more expensive private schools. Curriculum is best left in the hand of the experts. STATES VOTE PICK UP: New York, California, New Jersey, Washington, Oregon, Maryland, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island. Michigan, Illinois, Delaware |
Conservative View
Parents should make the primary education decisions for their children. Our society believes it is a benefit to provide education for the nation's children, but the type of education (public, private, religious) should be up to the parents. Vouchers allow parents that choice. It also allows parents in poor performing districts (which tend to be in poorer areas) the opportunity to send their children to a better school. The competition for the voucher money will make schools more effective STATES VOTE PICK UP: Indiana, Louisiana, Ohio, Wisconsin, Washington D.C., Florida, Oklahoma, Arkansas, North Carolina, Virginia |
