University of Virginia Center for Politics



University of Virginia Center for Politics

Youth Leadership Initiative

Meet the Candidates

Using SpeakOut! and Sabato’s Crystal Ball

Purpose: In this lesson, students study and evaluate key presidential, congressional and gubernatorial candidates in the 2008 election. In addition, students are asked to turn their attention to important issues in this campaign at the national, state and local levels. The lesson also provides a political efficacy component in which students write an informed letter about a campaign issue to an elected official or candidate of their choosing. This kind of personal contact with a government leader can be a powerful catalyst to future involvement in the political process. The lesson will also prepare students for participation in the YLI Mock Election.

Objectives:

1. Students will identify and evaluate the major presidential candidates as well as the congressional and gubernatorial candidates from their state in the 2008 election.

2. Students will research issues of particular interest to them.

3. Students will write a letter to candidates for president, governor, the House of Representatives, or Senate.

Key Words:

Challenger

Constituent

Incumbent Political Efficacy

Open Seat

Materials:

1. Copies of mock ballot

2. Student copies of Candidate Research Forms (Form A or B)

a. President

b. House of Representatives

c. Senate

d. Governor

3. Handouts of Issues Research Guide

4. Handouts of Candidates Issues Grid

5. Handouts of Contact a Candidate: Letter Writing Guide

6. Letter writing materials

Procedure:

1. Warm-up: Distribute copies of the mock ballot at the beginning of class. Tell students they are to mark their choice for the next president of the United States, then fold their ballots in half. Collect and count ballots without any conversation. Write the vote count on the board. Ask students how they made their selection for president. What criteria did they use? What would they have wanted to know if this had been an actual election? Save student responses on the board or an overhead.

2. Transition: Explain to students that this lesson will introduce them to the candidates and issues in the 2008 election. By the end of the lesson, they will have enough information to make some decisions about which candidates and issues are important during this election cycle.

3. Researching the Candidates:

• Teachers may use Candidate Research Form A for students needing a basic introduction to the candidates and their parties, or Form B for a more advanced introduction.

• Not all states have all three offices up for election this year. Teachers should feel free to use only the candidate forms most appropriate for their states and their students.

• Each Candidate Research Form B has a question that asks students to predict the winner of the election. Teachers may record student responses and check them after the election.

4. Researching the Issues:

• Once students have completed the Candidate Research Forms, the next step is to research some of the issues that may surface in this election. Ask students to use the Issues Research Guide and the Public Agenda website () to help them learn a little more about the issues that interest them the most.

• The final part of the process is for students to match candidates to their own positions on the issues. Students may use the candidates’ own websites to complete the Candidate Issues Grid.

5. Political Efficacy - Write a Candidate:

Distribute copies of the letter writing guide. Have students write a letter to one of the candidates they researched. Teachers may wish to have students review each other’s first drafts or submit first drafts before they mail their letters. Use the Speak Out! Page of the YLI website to locate addresses for legislators.

6. Wrap-up: Review student answers from the warm-up activity. Do they feel better prepared to vote? What additional information might help them? How could they get this information?

Extension Activities:

a) Have students share responses from candidates with the class.

b) Have students use their letters to invite candidates to visit the school.

c) To further reinforce the distinction between incumbents, challengers and an open seat in congressional election, have students play the CD-Rom simulation A More Perfect Union. Teachers may obtain a complimentary copy of the CD-Rom by registering on the YLI website () or by calling the toll-free help line at 1.866.514.8389.

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|PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES |PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES |PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES |

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|Mickey Mouse |Mickey Mouse |Mickey Mouse |

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|Bugs Bunny |Bugs Bunny |Bugs Bunny |

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|PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES |PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES |PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES |

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|Mickey Mouse |Mickey Mouse |Mickey Mouse |

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|Bugs Bunny |Bugs Bunny |Bugs Bunny |

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|PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES |PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES |PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES |

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|Mickey Mouse |Mickey Mouse |Mickey Mouse |

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|Bugs Bunny |Bugs Bunny |Bugs Bunny |

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|PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES |PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES |PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES |

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|Mickey Mouse |Mickey Mouse |Mickey Mouse |

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|Bugs Bunny |Bugs Bunny |Bugs Bunny |

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|PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES |PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES |PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES |

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|Mickey Mouse |Mickey Mouse |Mickey Mouse |

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|Bugs Bunny |Bugs Bunny |Bugs Bunny |

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Form (A)

Name: ____________________________________

1) Once you have logged onto the internet, type in the web address for the Youth Leadership Initiative at .  Click the “Speak Out” icon in the top right hand corner of the screen and then click “Information on Government Officials.”

2) To identify presidential candidates click on the “Elections and Candidates” tab. The presidential candidates can be found at the bottom of the page. Click on their photos to see more information, and then click “See ALL candidates” to view all candidates for President. Who are the candidates? To which political parties do they belong? (Include third party candidates).

3) Next, using the Crystal Ball (), scroll down to Sabato's Electoral Road Map and click on View the Electoral Road Map.

a. Click on your state. How many electoral votes does it have? _______

b. Who won the state in 2004? ______

By what percentage of the popular vote? ______

c. According to the Crystal Ball, what is the outlook for your state in 2008 i.e. who is likely to win? ______________

d. Do you think any of the third party candidates have a chance to influence the outcome of the election in your state? Explain your answer.

Form (B)

Name: ____________________________________

1) Once you have logged onto the internet, type in the web address for the Youth Leadership Initiative at .  Click the “Speak Out” icon in the top right hand corner of the screen and then click “Information on Government Officials.”

2) To identify presidential candidates click on the “Elections and Candidates” tab. The presidential candidates can be found at the bottom of the page. Click on their photos to see more information, and then click “See ALL candidates” to view all candidates for President. Who are the candidates? To which political parties do they belong? (Include third party candidates).

3) Next, using the Crystal Ball (), scroll down to Sabato's Electoral Road Map and click on View the Electoral Road Map.

a. Click on your state. How many electoral votes does it have? _______

b. Who won the state in 2004? ______

By what percentage of the popular vote? ______

c. According to the Crystal Ball, what is the outlook for your state in 2008 i.e. who is likely to win? ______________

4) Why do Third Party candidates have such great difficulty winning a Presidential Election?

• Do you think any of the third party candidates have a chance to influence the outcome of the election in your state? Explain your answer.

5) Based on question 3 and your own research, who do you think will win the presidential election? Will the election be close? Defend your answers.

Form (A)

Name: ____________________________________

1) Once you have logged on to the internet, type in the web address for the Youth Leadership Initiative ().  Click the “Speak Out” icon in the top right hand corner of the screen and then click “Information on Government Officials,” then click on the “Elections & Candidates” tab.

2) In order to identify candidates running in your area, enter your zip code in the requested box and click “Go.” Under “Congressional Races,” click the “See Candidates” button. Fill in your address in the requested box to determine your congressional district. What is your congressional district?

3) Under the words “U.S. House,” you will see the candidates running in your area. Who are the candidates? To which party does each belong?

4) Is this a race with an incumbent (current office holder) and a challenger or does your district have an open seat? (If there is no candidate with an (i) next to their name, your state has an open seat). How could one candidate’s incumbent status affect the outcome of the race?

Form (B)

Name: ____________________________________

1) Once you have logged on to the internet, type in the web address for the Youth Leadership Initiative ().  Click the “Speak Out” icon in the top right hand corner of the screen and then click “Information on Government Officials,” then click on the “Elections & Candidates” tab.

2) In order to identify candidates running in your area, enter your zip code in the requested box and click “Go.” Under “Congressional Races,” click the “See Candidates” button. Fill in your address in the requested box to determine your congressional district. What is your congressional district?

3) Under the words “U.S. House,” you will see the candidates running in your area. Who are the candidates? To which party does each belong?

4) Is this a race with an incumbent (current office holder) and a challenger or does your district have an open seat? (If there is no candidate with an (i) next to their name, your state has an open seat).

5) Which candidate do you think usually has the best chance of winning an election, the incumbent or the challenger? Why do you think this is true?

6) Find out how close the race is between the candidates in your district by going to the House of Representatives section of the website for Sabato’s Crystal Ball (). Scroll down to the “Crystal Ball HotRace™ Readings” table to see if your district’s House race is rated as one of the most competitive. Any district not listed in the table is considered likely to be won by the incumbent (a “safe” race). Is your district likely to have a competitive race, or a safe one?

7) Based on question 6 and your own research, can you make a prediction about this race? Who will win the election? Will the election be close? Explain your answers.

Form (A)

Name: ____________________________________

1) Once you have logged on to the internet, type in the web address for the Youth Leadership Initiative ().  Click the “Speak Out” icon in the top right hand corner of the screen and then click “Information on Government Officials,” then click on the “Elections & Candidates” tab.

2) In order to identify candidates running in your area, enter your zip code in the requested box and click “Go.” Under “Congressional Races,” click the “See Candidates” button. Fill in your address. On the next page, under the words “U.S. Senate,” you will see the candidates running in your area.

3) Who are the candidates? To which political parties do they belong? (Include third party candidates).

4) Is this a race with an incumbent (current office holder) and a challenger or does your state have an open seat? (If there is no candidate with an (i) next to their name, your state has an open seat). How could one candidate’s incumbent status affect the outcome of the race?

Form (B)

Name: ____________________________________

1) Once you have logged on to the internet, type in the web address for the Youth Leadership Initiative ().  Click the “Speak Out” icon in the top right hand corner of the screen and then click “Information on Government Officials,” then click on the “Elections & Candidates” tab.

2) In order to identify candidates running in your area, enter your zip code in the requested box and click “Go.” Under “Congressional Races,” click the “See Candidates” button. Fill in your address. On the next page, under the words “U.S. Senate,” you will see the candidates running in your area.

3) Who are the candidates? To which political parties do they belong? (Include third party candidates.)

4) Is this a race with an incumbent (current office holder) and a challenger or does your state have an open seat? (If there is no candidate with an (i) next to their name, your state has an open seat.)

5) Which candidate do you think usually has the best chance of winning an election, the incumbent or the challenger? Why do you think this is true?

6) Find out how close the race is between the candidates in your state by going to the Senate section of the website for Sabato’s Crystal Ball (). Click on “View all races” below the map. Scroll down to see details about your state’s upcoming Senate election. Underneath the state name, the Crystal Ball lists an “Outlook” for the race. If it is listed as “Solid” for one party, it is not considered competitive. If it only “Leans” or is “Likely,” for one party, it is a more competitive race. According to the Crystal Ball, how competitive is the Senate race in your state?

7) What is the Crystal Ball’s prediction for the outcome of the race? Based on question 6 and your own research, can you make a prediction about this race? Who will win the election? Will the election be close? Explain your answers.

Form (A)

Name: ____________________________________

1) Once you have logged on to the internet, type in the web address for the Youth Leadership Initiative ().  Click the “Speak Out” icon in the top right hand corner of the screen and then click “Information on Government Officials,” then click on the “Elections & Candidates” tab.

2) In order to identify candidates running in your area, enter your zip code in the requested box and click “Go.” Under “State Races,” click the “See Candidates” button. Fill in your address. On the next page, under the words “Governor,” you will see the candidates running in your state.

3) Who are the candidates? To which political parties do they belong? (Include third party candidates.)

4) Is this a race with an incumbent (current office holder) and a challenger or does your state have an open seat? (If there is no candidate with an (i) next to their name, your state has an open seat). How could one candidate’s incumbent status affect the outcome of the race?

Form (B)

Name: ____________________________________

1) Once you have logged on to the internet, type in the web address for the Youth Leadership Initiative ().  Click the “Speak Out” icon in the top right hand corner of the screen and then click “Information on Government Officials,” then click on the “Elections & Candidates” tab.

2) In order to identify candidates running in your area, enter your zip code in the requested box and click “Go.” Under “State Races,” click the “See Candidates” button. Fill in your address. On the next page, under the words “Governor,” you will see the candidates running in your state.

3) Who are the candidates? To which political parties do they belong? (Include third party candidates.)

4) Is this a race with an incumbent (current office holder) and a challenger or does your state have an open seat? (If there is no candidate with an (i) next to their name, your state has an open seat).

• Which candidate do you think usually has the best chance of winning an election, the incumbent or the challenger? Why do you think this is true?

5) Find out how close the race is between the candidates in your state by going to the Governors section of the website for Sabato’s Crystal Ball (). Click “View all races” and scroll down to find your state. . Underneath the state name, the Crystal Ball lists an “Outlook” for the race. If it is listed as “Solid” for one party, it is not considered competitive. If it only “Leans” or is “Likely,” for one party, it is a more competitive race. According to the Crystal Ball, how competitive is this race?

6) What is the Crystal Ball’s prediction for the outcome of the race? Based on the Crystal Ball and your own research, can you make a prediction about this race? Who will win the election? Will the election be close? Explain your answers.

ISSUES RESEARCH GUIDE

Completing this page and the Candidate Information Grid will help you decide which issues matter the most to you and what the candidates in your state have to say about those issues. Follow the steps to complete the issue boxes below.

1) Your first project is to decide which three issues are most important to you in the upcoming elections. To help in this decision, go to the website . On the bottom left-hand corner of the screen, under the heading “Issue Guides,” there is a drop down menu of current issues. Select the three issues that interest you most and enter them in the boxes below.

2) After you have identified your issues, write a brief statement in each box that explains why this is one of the three most important issues facing voters in the 2008 election. You should include at least one specific supporting detail in your explanation. To get this information, click the “Overview” link on the left side to get a sense of how people of different opinions view the same issue. The “Fact File” and “Discussion Guides” sections offer graphs, poll results, and other interesting information.

3) If you were at a debate between two candidates, what would you most want to hear one or more of them say about your issue? What belief, promises, or plans would you want discussed? Write this answer in the last section of each box.

Candidate Issues Grid

Using the research you’ve done on the candidates in your state and the issues that matter most to you, use the

grid below to find out which candidates most closely share your values. First fill in all of the information you already know;

candidate name, office sought, political party, and the name of each of your issues. Next, use the candidates’ own websites to find their positions on the issues you want to research. (Click on a candidate’s name on your Voter Guide to get a link to their website.)

CANDIDATE NAME |OFFICE SOUGHT |POLITICAL PARTY |POSITION ON ISSUE 1 (________________) |POSITION ON ISSUE 2 (________________) |POSITION ON ISSUE 3 (________________) | |

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CONTACT A CANDIDATE

Letter Writing Guide

Elected officials and candidates for elected office depend on their constituents, the people they represent, to share their opinions. Even in today’s busy, technology driven world no form of communication carries the weight of a handwritten letter. Writing a letter is one way to show a candidate that you care deeply enough about an issue to take time to write a letter, something fewer and fewer people do today. Use your candidate and issue research and follow the guidelines below to craft a letter that expresses what you want most from your elected officials.

Step One: Whom will you contact?

By now you’ve examined at least two candidates, and possibly several more. Select one of them to contact, and explain why you want to write to this candidate in particular. Do you strongly agree or disagree with this person on a particular issue, for example?

Step Two: Which issue will you discuss, and why?

You’ve had the chance to focus on three issues you think are most important in this year’s elections. Select one of these to talk about and explain why this one matters most to your country and your community.

Step Three: What do you want this candidate to know about your feelings on this issue?

For example, have you had personal experiences with this issue? If so, you may wish to share one of those experiences with your candidate.

Step Four: What information can you use to support your position?

What facts or statistics support your position? Try to use information about your state or congressional district. It is always a good idea to identify the source of your information to your reader. Did your information come from the Youth Leadership Initiative’s website? Did the information come from the candidate’s own campaign literature?

Step Five: Have you included contact information for your candidate and for yourself?

Be sure you’ve included your address, either at home or at school, so that your candidate can write you back!

Step Six: Write your letter.

You may want to use the following guidelines:

a) Use the first paragraph to introduce yourself and your reason for writing (your issue).

b) In the second paragraph explain why you’ve chosen to contact to this particular candidate.

c) In the third paragraph discuss what you would like to see your candidate do about your issue if elected.

d) Use your final paragraph to thank your candidate for his/her time. Be sure to include your contact information.

e) Be brief, be positive, be specific, and be polite!

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CANDIDATE RESEARCH

UNITED STATES HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

CANDIDATE RESEARCH

UNITED STATES HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

CANDIDATE RESEARCH

UNITED STATES SENATE

CANDIDATE RESEARCH

UNITED STATES SENATE

CANDIDATE RESEARCH

STATE GOVERNOR

CANDIDATE RESEARCH

STATE GOVERNOR

My first issue is:

_____________________

This issue is especially important this year because:

Any political candidate that I support would take the following position on this issue:

My second issue is:

_____________________

This issue is especially important this year because:

Any political candidate that I support would take the following position on this issue:

My third issue is:

_____________________

This issue is especially important this year because:

Any political candidate that I support would take the following position on this issue:

CANDIDATE RESEARCH

PRESIDENT

CANDIDATE RESEARCH

PRESIDENT

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