Changes

The text of Obama's acceptance speech will be posted online Thursday night, September 7.  Can you find statements in it designed to boost his poll numbers with any particular group?

The text of Obama's acceptance speech will be posted online Thursday night, September 7.  Can you find statements in it designed to boost his poll numbers with any particular group?

== Politics as a Team Sport ==

== Politics as an Iceberg ==

Politics is not easy to understand, even by people who have studied it for decades.  Many predictions by the greatest experts turn out to be completely wrong.

The average person does not realize that politics is like an iceberg:  90% of it is hidden from view.  Far more goes on behind the scenes, outside of public awareness, then most people realize.

A first step to understanding politics is to recognize that it is a ''team'' sport, and it is never fair to individuals.  You might be the greatest wide receiver to play the game of football, but if the running back on your team repeatedly fumbles the ball, then you will lose.  If you play in a game where the referees are against you on every play, then you will also lose no matter how good your team is.  If there is a massive snowstorm in the middle of the game, then that can cause you to lose also even though your team was better.

Statements by candidates are the product of much planning by a "team" that includes speechwriters, pollsters, consultants and others.  Politics is ''team'' sport that is never fair to individuals.  You might be the greatest wide receiver to play the game of football, but if the running back on your team repeatedly fumbles the ball, then you will lose.  If you play in a game where the referees are against you on every play, then you will also lose no matter how good your team is.  If a massive snowstorm occurs in the middle of the game just as your team is about to win, then you may lose through no fault of your own.

In American politics, the two biggest "teams" are the Republicans and the Democrats.  Problems with one member of the team affect the ability of other members of the team to win.  The "referees" are the media, and they have a big impact also.  So does "weather" conditions like the state of the economy, or foreign relations.

In American politics, the two biggest "teams" are the Republicans and the Democrats.  Problems with one member of the team affect the ability of other members of the team to win.  The "referees" are the media, and they have a big impact also.  So does "weather" conditions like the state of the economy, or foreign relations.

This model for politics as a team sport goes far beyond Republicans versus Democrats.  Within each political party there are also alliances and teams that form to help candidates win nominations by the party.  The team backing John McCain to win the Republican nomination for U.S. Senate in Arizona on August 24th included Sarah Palin, Mitt Romney, and many other prominent Republicans.  The team backing McCain's opponent, J.D. Hayworth, included Tea Party groups, anti-illegal immigration groups, the Gun Owners of America, and other conservative groups.  Which team proved to be stronger on August 24th, when the primary election was held?

This model for politics as a team sport goes far beyond Republicans versus Democrats.  Within each political party there are also alliances and teams that form to help candidates win nominations by the party.   

Elections are called "campaigns" because there are many contributing forces that determine the outcome.  There are campaign contributions to the candidate for his use in printing materials, paying workers, and buying ads.  There are volunteer efforts such as "phone-banking" (calling voters on lists), "door-to-door" (walking up to houses and knocking on doors in support of a candidate), "literature drops" (such as handing out campaign literature at a subway station or bus stop), passing out bumper stickers, and attending public meetings to discuss issues relating to the election.  There are also "independent expenditures," by which other groups buy advertisements without any approval or coordination with the candidate.

Attempts to win elections are called "campaigns" because there are many contributing forces that determine the outcome.  Much of the activity is fun.  There are campaign contributions to the candidate for his use in printing materials, paying workers, and buying ads.  There are volunteer efforts such as "phone-banking" (calling voters on lists), "door-to-door" (walking up to houses and knocking on doors in support of a candidate), "literature drops" (such as handing out campaign literature at a subway station or bus stop), passing out bumper stickers, and attending public meetings to discuss issues relating to the election.  There are also "independent expenditures," in which other groups buy advertisements without any approval or coordination with the candidate.

When a candidate wins or loses, it is really his team that wins or loses.  His opponent may have put together a stronger team, or had better strategy, or the "referee" (media) may have been biased, or events outside of the control of the candidate (such as the economy) may have determined the outcome.  Often, but not always, the candidate who spends the most money wins, because he is able to get his message out to voters the best.

 

So when a candidate wins or loses, it is really his side that wins or loses.  His opponent may have put together a stronger team, or had better strategy, or the "referee" (media) may have been biased, or events outside of the control of the candidate (such as the economy) may have determined the outcome.  Often, but not always, the side that raises and spends the most money wins, because many voters are influenced by ads and mailings they receive.

=== Why Participate? ===

=== Why Participate? ===