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| | 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. | | 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. |
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| | + | === Why Participate? === |
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| | + | Many Americans fail to participate in the political process; they do not help ''any'' "team". They are too lazy, or fail to understand the process, or fail to see the beneits in participating. They are making a mistake. |
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| | + | There is no "free lunch." Participation in the political process is like exercise or other forms of self-improvement. One needs to find a way to enjoy it. |
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| | + | Participating in the political by "playing on a team" is beneficial by: |
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| | + | (list reasons) |
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| | == "Midterm" Elections == | | == "Midterm" Elections == |
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| | *State Governors: 14 seats likely to be retained or won by Democrats, 24 likely to be retained or won by Republicans, and 11 seats are "toss-ups" | | *State Governors: 14 seats likely to be retained or won by Democrats, 24 likely to be retained or won by Republicans, and 11 seats are "toss-ups" |
| − | concept of "political machines." | + | concept of "political machines." (Note that the election of the governor of New Jersey occurs in an ''odd-numbered'' year, not this year.) |
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| − | polling, and the influence of polling
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| − | Governors elections, but not NJ
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| − | Senate imbalance in seats up this year
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| − | Republicans reportedly want to "nationalize" the midterm election; Democrats resisting that; explain what this means
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| − | other historic midterm elections: 1994, 1946
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| − | role of unions
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| − | the pro-life movement and its growing influence, particularly among young people
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| − | concept of "turnout", and how the turnout of homeschooling graduates is much higher than that of public school graduates
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| − | negative campaigns and smear campaigns; how intensity builds toward the last week in the campaign
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| − | concept of "get out the vote," and how people vote in different areas of the nation (e.g., vote-by-mail, as in Oregon)
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| − | concept of "lame duck" session
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| − | discuss sources of information (television, radio, newspapers, internet, conferences, schools, word-of-mouth), and media bias
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| − | role of campaign spending
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| − | (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 == |
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| | 4. Using your answers questions 1 and 2 above and any other information, make a prediction of composition by political party of the House and Senate after Election Day. Explain briefly the basis of your predictions. | | 4. Using your answers questions 1 and 2 above and any other information, make a prediction of composition by political party of the House and Senate after Election Day. Explain briefly the basis of your predictions. |
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| − | Extra credit: | + | '''Extra credit''': |
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| | 5. What tactical change by either party between now and the election would cause you to change your prediction significantly? | | 5. What tactical change by either party between now and the election would cause you to change your prediction significantly? |