The 2012 presidential election presents voters with a choice between two fundamentally different visions for America. The Republican and Democratic Parties views on solutions to such issues as the economy, unemployment, taxes, how to manage the federal government's $14 trillion debt, the new health care law, and U.S. Foreign Policy are fundamentally different.
The purpose of this Mock Election Mini Course is to introduce the basics of the election process to the CCS student body, plan and execute a campaign stop to CCS from each party, accurately conduct a Vice-President and President debate, and hold a mock election.
Class Assignments: The class will be divided into 2 groups (Dem./Rep.) of party activists.
Each student will be responsible for working with his or her group and for successfully completing the assigned tasks below. Your preparation, research and enthusiasm will determine the success of the mock election. You should begin your research by visiting my CCS 2012 Mock Presidential Election blog http://ccsdemchak2012.blogspot.com/.
1 Major Issues: DEM- REP.-
• Investigate your parties stand on 3 major issues. Pick the same 3 issues. One per day.
a) Describe the issue and the problems related to it b) Identify and explain the recommendations your party is making that it believes best addresses the problem.
• GOP Report due Sept. 17,24, Oct. 1 - 10 minutes (Class discussion and debate follows)
• DEM Report due Sept. 17, 24, Oct. 1 - 10 minutes (Class discussion and debate follows)
2 Track Public Opinion Polls and The Campaign Trail: DEM- REP.
• Follow and report to the class results from at least two different polls.
• The report should include not just who is leading and by how much, but also why.
• Reporting dates-Sept. 19, 26, Oct. 3, 10. Length of report should be 2 minutes.
• Keep track on a daily basis, where the candidates are campaigning (Pres. & VP).
• Keep a log of where they go on a daily basis, starting August 29, 2012.
• Use the classroom map to chart where the candidates have been on a weekly basis. Sept. 19, 26, Oct. 3, 10, - brief 1 minute summaries
• Draw conclusions, based on where the candidates go, as to what their strategy is.
• Where they are campaigning reveals much about their view about how the campaign is progressing.
3 Critique of Campaign Ads: DEM - REP.
• Analyze 3 campaign ads your candidate has approved by answering the following questions.
• What issues are being discussed?
• Is it positive? negative? accurate? effective? ineffective?
• What stand on the issue does the candidate take?
• What stand on the issue does he accuse his opponent of taking?
• Use the internet to provide samples of ads for the class to see.
• What doesn't the ad say?
• GOP report due Sept. 19 15 minutes.
• DEM report due Oct. 3 15 minutes
4 Campaign Manager: DEM - REP.
• Organize and administer all campaign activities. Monitor your party’s assignments.
• Develop a network of volunteers to aid in the luncheons, debates, and other activities.
• Work closely with the candidates on the content and delivery of their public presentations.
• Present a written report to Mr. Demchak by Sept. 19 detailing the plans and progress of your campaign.
5 Candidates: Obama Romney
Biden Ryan
• Prepare 2-3 minute campaign speeches addressing students at meet-the candidate luncheons during the week of Oct 1-5 (Includes visiting a few elementary classes and Jr. and Sr. high lunch)
• Research, prepare and participate in a debate of the main issues of the campaign.
• Based on actual televised debates.
• Accurately portray the personality, style, mannerisms and views of the candidate.
• The Vice Presidential debate will be held the week of Oct. 22 40 minutes.
• The Presidential debate will be held the week of Oct. 29 40 minutes.
6 Campaign Commercial Production: DEM - GOP
• In consultation with your manager you are to develop, and produce the campaign
commercials your party will use during the campaign. Earliest air time Sept. 24.
• In consultation with your manager you are to schedule commercial air time with Mr.
Demchak.
7 Campaign Poster Production: DEM GOP
• In consultation with your manager you are to develop, and produce the campaign posters your party will use during the campaign. Earliest ad can be displayed Sept. 24.
• You are to get prior approval for your posters from Mr. Demchak.
Voters: All students who wish to participate.
• Voter registration will be conducted and coordinated by the entire mini-class during the week of Oct 8-12.
• Mock election to be held on Fri. November 2nd.
