Response Paper - Congress: Election Connection

Response Paper - Due Friday! Congress: The Electoral Connection can be found using the link, or on the website under "Legislative Branch."

In your reponse, address the following:

• What is the thesis of this article?
• Discuss/explain the concepts of advertising, credit claiming, position taking, and casework. Provide examples of each and how they play into the electoral process.
• Is Mayhew's thesis correct? Again, provide specific examples support or refute his position.
• Thanks and have a good day.

Mock Congress and Response Paper

We are almost done with MC.   Time to start moving on....

Response Paper -  Due Friday!  Congress: The Electoral Connection can be found using the link, or on the website under "Legislative Branch."

In your reponse, address the following:

• What is the thesis of this article?
• Discuss/explain the concepts of advertising, credit claiming, position taking, and casework.  Provide examples of each and how they play into the electoral process.
• Is Mayhew's thesis correct?  Again, provide specific examples support or refute his position.
• Thanks and have a good day.

Final Exam Review and SOTU

Two things for you government wizards out there:

1.  The final exam review is posted and can be found here.

2.  Also, tonight you will show your civic pride and watch the State of the Union Address.   To make things more interesting, we will be playing a class version "SOTU Bingo"   You will do this and you will love it.   Follow the directions we discussed in class.  If on the off chance you accidentially scheduled something else during this time, you can watch it on your own over the next few days.   I will award special prizes to those who successfully complete a BINGO!   Don't cheat.  The NSA has cameras in your house and they will pass that information on to me. 

Wag the Dog Writing Assignment

Discuss the following topics in a neatly done paper.   Be a champ.  Do it right.  Don't ask how long it needs to be either.   Answer the questions fully and completely and you will be fine!   This assignment is due MONDAY!

1.  The movie begins with words, "Why does a dog wag it's tail?   Because a dog is smarter than it's tail.   If the tail were smarter, it would wag the dog."    Explain these opening lines.   What does in mean in politics to "wag the dog?"  Who is the tail and who is the dog?


2.  In the movie, the producer says, "We remember the slogans, but we don't remember the war."   Is this true, find a historical example either mentioned in the movie or on your own that proves this line true.

3.  Bill Clinton was accused of "wagging the dog" several times during his administration.  Read the following CNN story and explain how he may have done so.  Clinton - Wag the Dog?   Find other resources if needed to complete your response. 

4.  The movie is ficticious.   However, how easy or difficult would it be to pull off a scenario similar to what appeared in the movie?     Is the media part of the problem or part of the solution?   How does this movie make you feel about politics in general? 

Media - How is the news covered?

1.  What is the difference in news topics when viewing different sources?

2.  What impact does this have on people who follow the news?

 

 

 

 

FRQ (Test Part 1) tomorrow!

 

Key things to know:

• Interest groups
• How they influence elections?
• Issue networks
• Amicus curiae
• Pluralism
• Elections/Nomination Process
• Types of primaries
• Open, closed, direct, winner-take-all
• Caucus
• Superdelegates
• Campaign strategy
 
 
 



Interest Groups - Unions

1.  How do unions serve as interest groups? 

2.  Do unions play a role in your education? (Thanks, Thomas)

 

 

 

Due Dates:

• Thursday - Interest Group Internet assignment
• Friday- SC (NYT v. United States)
• MONDAY - Chapter 10 Chart (now posted online)

 



Campaign Finance Notes

1.  How has campaign finanace evolved since 1974?

2.  Why was McCain-Feingold considered landmark legislation?

3.  What effect will Citizens' United have on future elections?

 

Due Dates:

• Wednesday - "Win the White House" game results due.   https://www.icivics.org/games/win-white-house
•  Friday - Chapter 9 (Interest Groups) Charts Due
• Friday - SC (NYT vs Sullivan)