DRAW A LINE SEPARATING TODAY & YESTERDAY1) Write: Date: 03/25/11, Topic: General Election2) Next line, write “Opener #40” and then:

1) Write 1 high+1 low in last 24 hours2) Rate your understanding of yesterday: lost<1-5>too easy (3 is perfect)

3) Respond to the Opening Clip by writing at least 1 sentences about:Your opinions/thoughts OR/ANDQuestions sparked by the clip OR/ANDSummary of the clip OR/ANDAnnouncements: None

Agenda1) General Election Notes2) Mock Election Prep

What you will be able to do:1) How do we select a president?

Reminder1) Complete your podcast worksheet

Review:

Primary Elections (Jan-Jun)

Voters Vote

Based on Voter Results, Delegated Pledged to Candidates

Delegates go to Convention (Aug), 50%+ is winner.

Dem: 20% of del. Are super del, pledged to

no one.

Focus most energy on first 2:

IA, NH (Jan)

Gen elec in Nov

Notes #39a, Title: “General Election Notes” 1) General Election (Nov): Primary winner from each

party (including 3rd parties) fight. Ppl Vote > Electoral College Votes > Winner 2) Electoral College (EC) (Dec): Constitutionally

created a safety check. Each state legislatures picks ppl to be electors (538). EC electors pledge to vote how state’s voters voted.

3) EC Representation: Each state gets # of electors equal to # US Senators (2) + # of US House members (53). Total: 100+435+3 for DC=538

4) General Election is Winner Takes All (270): Unlike primaries, general elec is winner takes all. If someone wins plurality (more than others) of the voters, they get ALL that state’s electoral votes.

Notes #39a, Title: “General Election Notes” 1) General Election (Nov): Primary winner from each

party (including 3rd parties) fight. Ppl Vote > Electoral College Votes > Winner

Notes #39a, Title: “General Election Notes” 2) Electoral College (EC) (Dec): Constitutionally

created a safety check/small state booster. Each state legislatures picks ppl to be electors (538). EC electors pledge to vote how state’s voters voted.

Notes #39a, Title: “General Election Notes” 3) EC Representation: Each state gets # of electors

equal to # US Senators (2) + # of US House members (53). Total: 100+435+3 for DC=538

House: 435

Senate: 100

DC: 3

435+100+3=538

http://www.cnn.com/ELECTION/2008/calculator/

Notes #39a, Title: “General Election Notes” 4) General Election is Winner Takes All (270): Unlike

primaries, general elec is winner takes all. If someone wins plurality (more than others) of the voters, they get ALL that state’s electoral votes.

5) Electoral College Numbers: House (435)+ Senate (100)+DC (3)=538. Over 50% to win the EC. 538/2=269. 269+1=270. So 270/538 to win.

House: 435

Senate: 100

DC: 3

435+100+3=538538/2=269=50%, 270/538=50.1%

http://www.cnn.com/ELECTION/2008/calculator/

Barbara Lett-Simmons (2000)

POPULATION ECUS 296,410,404 538

California 36,553,215 55

Texas 23,904,380 39

New York 19,297,729 31

North Dakota 639,715 3

Vermont 621,254 3

Wyoming 522,830 3

Journ #39a, “Electoral College Debate”1) Read the 2 sides, choose 1 side, and write

which you choose and explain why.2) Then write down what your partner thinks

(include their name at the end).1 2 3 4 5

CON: Ditch the EC

1) EC makes candidates ignore really liberal or conservative states

2) CA, biggest state totally ignored, give each voter equal voice

3) It’s confusing

PRO: Keep the EC

1) Its worked so far (kinda)

2) Small states get at least 3 EC, they need an amplified voice

3) One day we might need the safety check

Journ #40a, “ 2012 EC Strategy”1)Read the chart and label map (I-Impossible, L-Loyal, and S-Swing based on %), AND add Loyal and Swing goal is to get to 270.

ADD UP L+SCA L 55HI S 4 CIRCLE ANY S STATENY L 31

Total of L+S: 90 (180 to go)

2008: GOP/McCain: 46% DEM/Obama: 53%

2008: GOP/McCain: 46% DEM/Obama: 53%

2008: GOP/McCain: 46% DEM/Obama: 53%

2008: GOP/McCain: 46% DEM/Obama: 53%

2004: GOP/Bush: 51% DEM/Kerry: 48%

2004: GOP/Bush: 51% DEM/Kerry: 48%

2004: GOP/Bush: 51% DEM/Kerry: 48%

2000: GOP/Bush: 48% DEM/Gore: 48%

Notes #40a “Campaign Strategy”1) Swing State Strategy: Poll to find out which

states will vote for you or against you no matter what, and ignore them (CA). Focus on swing states.

Recent swing states:NevadaColoradoOhioPennsylvaniaFlorida

2) Microtarget:Money +Time of Volunteersare Scarce(copy chart)

Increasingvote by mailmeans microtargetmust startearlier.

3) Info Shortcuts: Short on time, voters rely oncues from campaigns and trust ppl to make decisions

4) Negative Ads: Neg reduces voter turnout, but works to hurt target. Too neg can backfire if ad sponsored by candidate. 1st Am protects SIGS (527s) write to launch neg ads with little conseq.

Journ #40b, “Negative Attacks Debate”1) Read the 2 sides, choose 1 side, and write

which you choose and explain why.2) Then write down what your partner thinks

(include their name at the end).1 2 3 4 5

CON: Negative ads are bad for democracy1) Negative ads don’t inform, they obfuscate (which means they mislead)

2) Negative ads reduce voter turn out and increase gov cynicism

PRO: Negative ads are good for democracy1) Voters don’t have time to research candidates, so we need their opponents to present this

2) This makes sure candidates are tough enough to do the job

Journ #40c, Title “Video: Obama Youth”

1) Copy Source Title: Current

2…) Discuss questions on the board with a partner. Summarize your discussion (include their name at the end). Remember participation points are deducted if off task. 5 Reading/Film Qs Come From These Work Sections

Journ #, Title “A”

1) Copy Source Title: A

2…) Discuss questions on the board with a partner. Summarize your discussion (include their name at the end). Remember participation points are deducted if off task. 5 Reading/Film Qs Come From These Work Sections

Your Prompt (10 Points):A

2+EC for those who “volunteer” to read theirs at the end (I’ll pick a few at random as well).

Homework: 1) Complete your podcast worksheet

Workbook Check: If your name is called, drop off your workbook with Mr. Chiang (if requested, points lost if your workbook is not turned in)