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| | In ''odd-numbered'' years, there are no federal elections (unless there is a special election to fill a vacancy). But two states elect their state officials in odd-numbered years: New Jersey and Virginia. | | In ''odd-numbered'' years, there are no federal elections (unless there is a special election to fill a vacancy). But two states elect their state officials in odd-numbered years: New Jersey and Virginia. |
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| | + | There are many other election days in addition to the Tuesday after the first Monday in November. There are "primary" election days, on which each political party selects its "nominee" or candidate to represent the party in the November (general) election. On Tuesday, September 14, nine states<ref>The states holding primaries on September 14 are Delaware, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Hampshire, New York, Rhode Island, Vermont and Wisconsin.</ref> will hold primary elections so that the Republican, Democratic and other political parties can select one nominee each to be on the ballot for the November general election. This ensures that there will be only one Republican and one Democrat on the November ballot. |
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| | American government is like a complex clock, with different parts having their own special functions, often independent of each other. Elections are akin to ''setting'' the clock to a particular time, from which point it starts to operate forward. | | American government is like a complex clock, with different parts having their own special functions, often independent of each other. Elections are akin to ''setting'' the clock to a particular time, from which point it starts to operate forward. |
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| | Around 1990, newspapers were far more powerful in influencing elections than they are today. Newspapers are pro-abortion, and strongly favored pro-abortion (pro-choice) candidates. They won easily. Now, with newspapers weaker in influence and people being increasingly pro-life, candidates find it helpful to say they are pro-life. An historian might think that pro-life candidates tend to lose by looking at 1990; a political analyst, looking to the future, would say the opposite. | | Around 1990, newspapers were far more powerful in influencing elections than they are today. Newspapers are pro-abortion, and strongly favored pro-abortion (pro-choice) candidates. They won easily. Now, with newspapers weaker in influence and people being increasingly pro-life, candidates find it helpful to say they are pro-life. An historian might think that pro-life candidates tend to lose by looking at 1990; a political analyst, looking to the future, would say the opposite. |
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| | + | == Politics as a Team Sport == |
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| | == "Midterm" Elections == | | == "Midterm" Elections == |
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| | (add more) | | (add more) |
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| | + | == Influence of media == |
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| | + | Obama election |
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| | + | John McCain v. J.D. Hayworth example |
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| | == Homework == | | == Homework == |