Public Politics

Professor Jonathan Day

The Presidency(POLS 318)

Outline1. Attendance

2. Public Politics Discussion

3. Discussing the “President” Game

4. Next Class

“Public Politics” Discussion

Describe the symbolic dimension of the presidency.

What is the view of the presidency in our culture?

How has this political culture been formed?

“Public Politics” Discussion

What increases or decreases the support for the president?

What is the ‘decay curve’?

Election year “bump” or “spike”

“Public Politics” Discussion

What has been the change in presidential bargaining over time?

Why did presidents in the 19th century not go public with their policy appeals?

Describe the change in frequency of public appeals over time.

“Public Politics” Discussion

How can presidents be successful?

The “President” Game

What are some similarities between this game and reality?

What are some differences between this game and reality?

What is at least one major rule change that would make this game more like reality?

The “President” GameObjectiveThe aim is to get rid of all your cards as soon as possible. The

last player left with cards is called the scum. The winner will be the president. The second winner will be the vice president. Each successive winner will be Citizen. The second to last winner is vice scum.

DealThe game is played clockwise. All the cards are dealt out.

Some players may have one more than others.

The player to dealer's left starts by leading (face up) any single card or any set of cards of equal rank (for example three fives). Each player in turn must then either pass (i.e. not play any cards), or play face up a card or set of cards which beats the previous play.

A single card is beaten by any higher single card. A set of cards can only be beaten by a higher set containing the same number of cards. So for example if the previous player played two sixes you can beat this with two kings, or two sevens, but not with a single king, and not with three sevens (though you could play two of them and hang onto the third).

Passing is always allowed

The play continues as many times around the table as necessary until someone makes a play which everyone else passes. All the cards played are then turned face down and put to one side, and the player who played last (and highest) to the previous "trick" starts again by leading any card or set of equal cards.

Next ClassPlease read the article:“Presidential Approval and Legislative Success”

by Brandice Canes-Wrone and Scott de Marchi

Do not let the math and statistics distract you from understanding the article. You will not be required to understand the math and statistics. Focus on their theory and findings.