Bell Assignment
What are three
characteristics you believe make a great Presidential candidate?
Do you think there is a difference between the characteristics one needs to be a successful
presidential candidate and those that are needed to be a great president? Explain your answer.
What do you know???
What are two things
you already know about the
presidential primary process?
What is the
difference between a primary and a
Strategies – Primary
Election
They differ between primary and
general elections
Primaries:
Candidates have to win the election of
their party, which include many party activists that are very conservative (Republicans) or liberal (Democrats).
General Election:
Once the candidate secures the
party’s nomination, they need to be able to secure the independent and moderate vote to win the presidency.
Key Question: How are you
Clip from the last Republican
debate...
Race to the Presidency
Caucuses and
Primaries
Begin: Jan.
– Feb.
Primary
Process ends
in June.
National Conventions
New Hampshire and Super
Tuesday
New Hampshire and Iowa traditionally go first.
Do Iowa and NH represent the nation? Explain why or why not.
Other states lobby for an early slot – this is currently happening…the schedule is still up in the air.
What is a caucus???
This is a caucus
Front-Loading the
Primaries
The states that hold their primaries
earliest in the season have a much greater effect on the outcome of the party’s choice for presidential nominee.
Many states scrambled to move their
primaries up in the season; “Super Tuesday”, California, etc…
Goal: Have a longer time to raise
funds, key states have more power in the process.
Consequences:
If the primary is too short, voters might not
have time to evaluate the candidate.
States like Iowa and New Hampshire do not
reflect the demographics of America
Candidates with the most campaign $ by
Gallup Results – Primary
Process
What do Americans think about the prim
1. What is the message that is portrayed in the political cartoon?
Problems with the Primary
Process
Read the article on the “Problems with the Current
Nomination Process” and create a web
diagram that briefly summarizes the main points of each
weakness discussed in the article.
Problems with the Presidenti al Primary
•Out of the 7 problems
mentioned in the article, which one do you think is the most significant?
Explain your answer.
•Compare your choice
with your Republican partner.
•Be prepared to share
How can we improve the
system???
In your opinion, what
are the two biggest weaknesses of the presidential primary process?
What are the two
•
With your libertarian partner
brainstorm an alternative plan
that could be introduced to
address the majority of the
weaknesses of the current
system.
Compare Plans…
Compare your plan
with the plan of a nearby group.
Provide feedback to
them about their plan, explaining at least one strength and one
•
What concept(s) about the
presidential primary process would
you like for Mrs. Mac to review in
tomorrow’s lesson?
•
Please leave your papers on the back
Proposals for Reform
Read the handout “Proposals for Reform” and create and
complete the chart below.
•
Which of the
proposals do you
think would work
the best? Explain
why. Do you have
a plan of your
own? Explain your
plan.
•
Share your plan
with your
Democratic
partner.
Good Morning!
Bell Assignment:
Why did the Founding
Fathers create the electoral college
National Convention
Delegates are sent from each state (based on
population) as well as the territories and DC. Usually last four days,
official purpose is to declare the party’s
nominee and rewrite the platform.
It is become a large media event aimed at motivating the members of the party to become active in the election of the nominee and to
National Convention Clip
2004 RNC Flashback
2008 DNC Convention Highlights
2008 DNC Obama Speech
What do you already
know???
What are three things
you already know about the electoral college system?
Why do you think the
Founding Fathers
would have created a system that did not allow for direct
Electoral College Video
What is the Electoral
College?
Group of people
(electors) chosen
from each State
and the District
of Columbia to
formally elect
the President
and Vice
Why was it established?
Article II, Section I of the Constitution calls for this
system. Why? The Framers did not trust the “excitable masses” to choose the president and VP.
The selection of electors is based on state laws. Formula:
# of Reps + 2 Senators = Total # of Electors
Total number is 538. (435 member of the House, 100 Senators
How Does It Work?
It is a “winner takes
all” system.
Total – 538 electors
Winner must have
the majority (270 votes).
If there is no
majority, the House of Representatives decides who is
Bell Assignment
1. What is the message conveyed in the cartoon?
2. Do you agree or disagree with the cartoon’s message? Explain your
Review
What are three things
you learned about the electoral college
yesterday?
Which states are
Four presidents (presidential
candidates) won the popular vote but lost the presidency:
Andrew Jackson won the popular vote
but lost the election to John Quincy Adams (1824)
Samuel J. Tilden won the popular
vote but lost the election to Rutherford B. Hayes (1876)
Grover Cleveland won the popular
vote but lost the election to Benjamin Harrison (1888)
Al Gore won the popular vote but
A President NOT Elected by the People?
Gerald Ford (1974-77) was
the only President to serve who was not elected by U.S. voters either as President or Vice President.
In 1973 then-President
Richard Nixon (1969-74) appointed Ford Vice
President after former Vice President Spiro Agnew
resigned.
When Nixon resigned from
the White House on August 9, 1974 (the only President to do so), Ford became
Who can be an elector?
The selection process is determined by
each individual state.
They are usually State elected officials or
party leaders.
They cannot be a sitting Senator or
When is the vote
official?
How does this system
impact how
candidates campaign?
Which states will they
What are swing and battleground states?
- Video Clip
Watch the video clip and briefly define
swing states and battleground states.
Think about…How do these states influence
Swing States
The states that are “up for grabs” between the presidential candidates.
Only swing states or large states receive the majority of the presidential campaigning.
What is your opinion???
In your opinion, what are
the two biggest
weaknesses of the
electoral college system?
In your opinion, what are
the two biggest strengths of the electoral college
system?
Which states/groups
Time to Read…
• Read through both the arguments “for” and the arguments “against” the electoral college.
• Come up with 5 arguments for your assigned side (pro and con) and provide supporting details.
• Come up with 3 rebuttal
arguments/statements for the opposing viewpoint.
• You are preparing to
Bell Assignment
In your opinion, what is the strongest
argument in favor of the electoral college? Against?
If it was your decision, would you choose
for our country to elect the president by popular vote or the electoral college
Debating…How its done!
Sides: Pro (for) the Electoral College or Con (against) the electoral college. The
electoral college is essential system for electing the president.
Teams: Each side has a team that is made up of two people. These people work
together to win the argument for their side. They share points and ideas and say things that support their partner.
Opening Statement: Each side provides an opening statement to begin the
debate. The opening statement serves as the introduction to your overall
argument. It is a general statement that includes an attention-getting statement.
Reasons/Arguments: When you speak, you present reasons (arguments) for why
the audience should agree with you. Generally you want to think in terms of the word "because". You want to say things like "You should agree with me because..." and then give the reason. When you are responding to your opponents you want to attack their reasons.
Examples: Examples are facts or ideas that you can use to illustrate and back up
your reasons. You should provide a reason for each reason/argument you present.
Closing Arguments: Each side provides a closing argument that ties up the
Debate Format
The debate will be 2 on 2 – 2 pro against 2 con
Opening Statements: Choose between you and your partner who will
present the opening remarks.
First Round:
a) Pro argument
b) Rebuttal/Questioning by Con c) Con argument
d) Rebuttal/Questioning by Pro
Second Round: same process as first round
Closing Arguments: The partner that did NOT present the opening
remarks will present the closing remarks.
You should have a final conclusive argument/statement drawn up which will
repeat your group’s main arguments and position on the topic.
You should take notes during the entire debate so that you may refer to
specific points in your final presentation of your team’s views.
What do you think???
If you could choose
another system for
Rating Sheet
Before you leave,
please fill out the rating sheet and
Powers of the President
Read Chapter 13 –
Section 1 and create a tree map that
summarizes the main concepts in the
section.
Your summary will be
graded for content as well as your ability to summarize the main concepts (see rubric).
Before you leave today…
Write a question that
could be used on a
unit test (also provide the answer).
Ask at least one other
Weaknesses
The candidate who wins
the popular vote doesn’t always win the
presidency.
Winner takes all in 48
states except Nebraska and Maine.
Electors don’t have to
vote with the popular vote.
The House of
Strengths of Electoral
College
Gives the small
states a voice in the presidential election.
Candidates have to
address all the
Bell Assignment
Review Question:
What is the formula that is used to
calculate the number of electors each state is assigned in the
electoral college?
Compare your
answers with your
Debate Time!
Look at your
handout for debate expectations.
Review the rubric so
you are familiar with your grading
