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fandomhigh2006-02-09 12:27 pm
professor-lyman.livejournal.com) wrote in fandomhigh2006-02-09 12:27 pm
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Political Campaigning (Thursday, February 9, 4th period)
Josh stopped watching the latest episode of The Daily Show on his laptop when the campaigning class walked into the classroom.
"Today we go into the idea of research in more detail," he said. "As the dancing cartoons on Schoolhouse Rock used to say, 'knowledge is power', and this is never more true than in politics." He raised an eyebrow. "Schoolhouse Rock is awesome, and I refuse to hear anyone who says otherwise." He snapped his finger. "Donna--" he was pointing at Angel, "how many days until the election?"
He walked to the board. "Anyway. Control of information is absolutely critical for your campaign strategy. If you don't do enough research or on the right subjects, you're pretty much screwed. Research covers a lot of ground: polling, opposition research, issues research, media market research, election results like we looked at on Tuesday--all of it."
He started writing on the board. "There are a few things to remember when putting together a research plan. First of all, your opponent will know everything there is to know about your record, and will attack any and all weaknesses. They will also--and this is important--attack your strengths and try to turn them into weaknesses. Therefore, you must also know everything there is to know about their record and be prepared to do the same thing, including attacking their strengths and turning them into weaknesses. Your ultimate goal is to have enough research, both on you and your opponent, that is comfortable and politically powerful for your guy while leaving the other guy uncomfortable and scrambling."
He pointed at the Burns campaign crowd. "There's a lot of information to go through for Burns--six years of Senate bills and speeches, all conveniently available for public perusal at THOMAS, a website maintained by the Library of Congress." He grinned at the Tester group. "And Montana has their state bills up online, too, so you can find out what Tester has been sponsoring." He turned to the Morrison campaign. "And the State Auditor's office is also online, so you can figure out what the heck Morrison's been doing." He spread his hands. "Financial records are publicly available from the FEC, and there are plenty of watchdog groups out there who will give you a breakdown of in-state and out-of-state donors, as well as special interest groups whose money might be better off turned down."
He sat down. "Okay, your assignment for today, due next week, is for your group to find three bills or laws or proposals that your guy was instrumental in implementing. Internet research, or hit the library--doesn't really matter to me. Just give me three good things that your guy has done that you think will be important to help get him elected."
"Today we go into the idea of research in more detail," he said. "As the dancing cartoons on Schoolhouse Rock used to say, 'knowledge is power', and this is never more true than in politics." He raised an eyebrow. "Schoolhouse Rock is awesome, and I refuse to hear anyone who says otherwise." He snapped his finger. "Donna--" he was pointing at Angel, "how many days until the election?"
He walked to the board. "Anyway. Control of information is absolutely critical for your campaign strategy. If you don't do enough research or on the right subjects, you're pretty much screwed. Research covers a lot of ground: polling, opposition research, issues research, media market research, election results like we looked at on Tuesday--all of it."
He started writing on the board. "There are a few things to remember when putting together a research plan. First of all, your opponent will know everything there is to know about your record, and will attack any and all weaknesses. They will also--and this is important--attack your strengths and try to turn them into weaknesses. Therefore, you must also know everything there is to know about their record and be prepared to do the same thing, including attacking their strengths and turning them into weaknesses. Your ultimate goal is to have enough research, both on you and your opponent, that is comfortable and politically powerful for your guy while leaving the other guy uncomfortable and scrambling."
He pointed at the Burns campaign crowd. "There's a lot of information to go through for Burns--six years of Senate bills and speeches, all conveniently available for public perusal at THOMAS, a website maintained by the Library of Congress." He grinned at the Tester group. "And Montana has their state bills up online, too, so you can find out what Tester has been sponsoring." He turned to the Morrison campaign. "And the State Auditor's office is also online, so you can figure out what the heck Morrison's been doing." He spread his hands. "Financial records are publicly available from the FEC, and there are plenty of watchdog groups out there who will give you a breakdown of in-state and out-of-state donors, as well as special interest groups whose money might be better off turned down."
He sat down. "Okay, your assignment for today, due next week, is for your group to find three bills or laws or proposals that your guy was instrumental in implementing. Internet research, or hit the library--doesn't really matter to me. Just give me three good things that your guy has done that you think will be important to help get him elected."
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