Classroom Law Project Selecting the Next President

Lesson 2

Who are the major candidates and where do they stand?

Objective Students will examine qualifications of the two major candidates.

Standards Social Science Analysis

8.25 – Critique data for point of view, historical context, distortion, or propaganda and relevance.

8.26 – Examine a controversial event, issue, or problem from more than one perspective.

8.28 – Investigate a response or solution to an issue or problem, and support or oppose, using research.

HS.58 – Gather, analyze, use, and document information from various sources, distinguishing facts, opinions, inferences, biases, stereotypes, and persuasive appeals.

HS.59 – Demonstrate skills and dispositions needed to be a critical consumer of information.

HS.62 – Propose, compare, and judge multiple responses, alternatives, or solutions to issues or problems, then reach an informed, defensible, supported conclusion.

HS.63 – Engage in informed and respectful deliberation and discussion of issues, events, and ideas.

CCSS – Speaking and Listening

SL.8.6, 9-10.6, 11-12.6 – Adapt speech to a variety of contexts and tasks, demonstrating command of formal English when indicated or appropriate.

Handouts (1) Side-by-Side Comparison; (2) About Mitt; (3) About Barack Obama; (4) Meet Paul; (5) About Joe Biden

Online Resources Candidates’ official campaign websites: www.mittromney.com/,

www.barackobama.com (see also Extensions)

A. Warm-up

Who are the two major candidates in the presidential election? What do you know about them?

After conducting personal interviews (Lesson 1) and considering the qualifications needed to be a good president (Lesson 1), what are the most important things you will look for in the next president?

B. What are the candidates' views on the issues?

"All politics is local."[1] For every issue that students list, ask for reasons it is important in their lives; make it local, bring it home. Examples:

Afghanistan my neighbor is fighting over there

education why do we take so many tests?

economy my neighborhood has a lot of For Rent signs in empty buildings

health care my grandparents have troubles getting their medications

environment my parents tell me not to swim in the river near our house

Next, compare the candidates' positions on the issues, Handout 1. Can you tell how the candidates might handle the issues? What additional information would be helpful? See Handouts 2 and 3 for information on the candidates from their own websites.

Another strategy. Each week the students are given a new issue to research, e.g. week one the students research Romney’s and Obama’s views on national security; week two, the economy; and so forth. Each day the information that the student collected is put into a T-chart with the heading of the agenda. Example:

National Security
Mitt Romney / Barack Obama

At the end of several weeks, students compile their research on the candidates, then hold a debate. After listening to the information on both candidates, students vote on the candidate that they feel will make the best president based on their research. Compare students’ election results with those of the American people. (Adapted from http://www.lessonplanspage.com/sslaelectionjustthefactsidea8-htm/.)

C. Who are the running mates?

Will Rogers said, “The man with the best job in the country is the vice-president. All he has to do is get up every morning and say, ‘How is the president?’” What do you think? Let’s look at the two major vice-presidential candidates: Paul Ryan and Joe Biden, Handouts 4 and 5, respectively.

What is meant by the phrase, “a heartbeat away from the presidency?” Answer: he must be ready to become president or acting president if anything happens to the president. Thirteen vice presidents have gone on to become president, eight because of the death of a president (the rest were elected to the office). Discuss vice-presidential candidates Ryan and Biden and connect them with the phrase.

E. Extended Activities

Homework / Journal Entry

What issues get the most air time or ink? Are those the most important issues? Why or why not?

Who would you want as your chief advisor? Who are Romney’s and Obama’s chief advisors? Research David Axelrod (advising Obama) and Kevin Madden (or Eric Fehrnstrom, or Peter Flaherty advising Romney).

For more on the candidates’ views on the issues, explore these three fascinating and excellent websites:

1.  Procon.org.: This website allows viewers to click on the candidates to read their views on major issues. Procon.org describes itself this way: a nonpartisan, nonprofit, 501(c)(3) public charity whose mission is "Promoting education, critical thinking, and informed citizenship by presenting controversial issues in a simple, nonpartisan primarily pro-con format."

2.  For a list of Top American Science Questions in 2012 scientists would like to pose to the candidates, see www.sciencedebate.org/questions.html

3.  League of Women Voters, lwv.org, is an always reliable source for information on candidates and issues, both local and national.

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Lesson 2

[1] See All Politics is Local: And Other Rules of the Game, by Tip O'Neill