fandomhigh | American Political Campaigning (Wednesday, Sept. 6, 1st period)

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political campaigning

American Political Campaigning (Wednesday, Sept. 6, 1st period)

Josh was gulping from a giant a cup of coffee and cackling with glee about the latest polls from the Ohio Senate races when the political campaigning class arrived.

"Welcome to American Political Campaigning," he said, handing out the syllabus. I'm Josh Lyman and up until last January I was the deputy chief of staff for President Josiah Bartlet. I was with his campaign pretty much from the beginning and have been in and around politics for almost as long as I can remember. I'm just back from a special election in Detroit, which proves two things. The first is that you should never bet against a political consultant who writes things down because then you end up in Detroit running a special election, and the second is that I'm pretty much addicted to politics because Detroit in August is no one's idea of a vacation. I'd say that campaigning is probably the most fun you can have while still wearing clothing."

He coughed. "Maybe not something I should've said. Moving on."

He pointed at a huge 63 he had scrawled onto the chalkboard. "That's the number of days left until Election Day 2006. Time is the enemy of all campaigns--you can get more of everything else--people, money--but you can never get more time. No one is going to move the election for you because you're not ready." He smiled a little wickedly. "Which is going to be a problem for certain Republicans in some Congressional districts I can think of. This is also the last time I'm going to give you the number. Starting next class, I will be randomly picking one of you to tell me how many days there are until E-Day, which is November 6. Don't forget that date. Tattoo it onto yourself if necessary." He slapped his hand onto his desk. "That number, as a political operative, is your life. That number is even scarier than I am." He cleared his throat. "Which, you know, given that I'm not wandering around in a cape or, you know, being creepy, isn't that scary.

"I realize that some of you might not be from the United States, or even from, um, this planet. Most of this stuff is pretty universal to apply, but I know US politics, so I'll be using it as examples. If you have any questions about a reference I might toss out, please stop me and tell me to explain."

He pointed to a student at random. "Tell me your name, your general political philosophy--I'll take Democrat or Republican, for those of you who know what that means, but try to elaborate a bit for people here who might not know what I'm talking about--, and a policy issue you think is be important if you were running for office. The rest of you, same questions."

He lifted his hands. "Wow me, guys."

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Under one another, for the collapsing...

Dana Scully

Eric Weiss.

Isabel Evans

Marty Blank

Name, political philosophy, and why your political platform of "delivering a giant block of cheese to the President" is the best idea ever.

“Hi, I'm Dana Scully. I believe the science of politics is a militant enterprise, a defense of truth both political and practical, that being said I'm republican, but I have only ever been among republicans, and I do have an open mind. If I was running for office, I think an important policy issue for me would be... as JFK said
"The world is very different now. For man holds in his mortal hands the power to abolish all forms of human poverty, and all forms of human life."
and I think a very important policy issue for me would be to do with the wars and conflicts of the world but... it's not something I've thought on before. Oh and the cheese... memorable? I suppose it would be memorable, and if he liked cheese I guess - no really, the cheese just confuses me.”

Josh smiled. "I'd say that some of my best friends are Republican, but that's not exactly true." His grin turned wicked. "Especially this cycle. We'll be friends again in 63 days. Conflict resolution is always a good platform to run on--with the world the way it is voters look for someone with a grasp on the complexities of international relations, how they coincide with business interests and lead to everyone hating America."

Josh laughed. "Well, maybe not quite that bad. It's nice to meet you, Dana."

Dana smiled, "It's nice to meet you too Mr Lyman, I'll look forward to 63 days time."

"I'm Isabel Evans. I haven't really thought much about what my political philosophy is, but I'd have to say it's probably the exact opposite of what the current regime believes," she said with a shake of her head.

"The current regime being Bush and not Bartlet, right?" Josh asked, eyes twinkling.

"Yup," she laughed. "The administration of the small evergreen. Also known as Shrub."

"With his amazing approval ratings hovering in the high thirties. Truly what any member of his party running for reelection dreams of," Josh chuckled.

"Which is why everyone running is purging their website of any pictures with him in it. And the term Republican is in .5 type at the bottom of the page," Isabel said. "Things are definitely going to be interesting between now and November."

Josh nodded. "The electorate is pissed. That always leads to interesting elections."

"Hi. My name is Marty thought I also go by Clarence. Don't ask. My political leanings cannot be defined by a mere political party. Republican. Democrat. It's all public relations nowadays."

Josh grinned. "Good to see you again, Clarence," he said. "You really think that, say, Ted Kennedy and Rick Santorum are only separated by a few misunderstandings?"

"No. I'm saying that the parties manipulate the voters to think about issues that don't matter and place their opponents in a bad light," Marty replied. "When in reality all the government people want the same thing. Power."

"And world peace," Josh said with a smirk. "But the winning is good, too."

"Eric Weiss. Uh, Democrat, I guess, but I can't exactly vote. Really more of a middle-ground kind of guy. Both sides have good points, I just tend to side to the left for the personal liberties." Weiss considered the last part of the question. "Something that's important to me is the drinking age. It's completely not fair that we get to do everything at 18 but that. It's ridiculous."

Josh nodded, looking thoughtful. "Excellent point. Any ideas why it's been kept at 21? Other than that younger voters don't show up in big enough numbers to make politicians care?"

"I know it used to be 18. I don't know why they raised it again, but I'm pretty sure it has to do with MADD or DARE or one of the other alphabet soups."

"Something about mortality rates with drunken teenagers," Josh said, nodding again. "How would you approach that in your hypothetical campaign?"

"18's not a teenager anymore. I'd appeal to the younger voters, but also folks who don't want the government messing with them. It's time to let America's youth take responsibility for their own actions, instead of having the government do it for them, wasting time enforcing laws that we're going to circumvent anyway. Less money on needless enforcement means more money for education on the consequences." Weiss was on an uncustomary (okay, semi-customary) roll.

Josh was nodding along, clearly impressed. "You might have a talent for this, Mr. Weiss," he said with a smile.

Take notes, pass notes, pass out...whatever.

Dana sat taking notes, most of which were legible and would be helpful in the future, some of which were tiny little drawings of her hot new teacher.

He's had at least three cups of coffee at this point. He's practically awake.

"Hi Professor Lyman. Welcome back."

Josh grinned. "Hi, Isabel. It's good to be back. How was your summer?"

"I stayed here mostly. And there were Jello Dragons. So on a whole I'd say it was one of the more unusual summers I've ever had," Isabel grinned. "You missed some good times."

"I heard about the coffee pond," Josh said, nodding. "We could've used some Jello Dragons in Detroit. Liven the place up a bit."

"The problem with the coffee pond was that it came with mummies. Who were not particularly happy. But we dealt with it," she shrugged. "The election wasn't lively enough?"

"Okay, I don't think I heard about the mummies," Josh said. "And the election was very, very, very dull. I'm going to have to pay Bruno back. I just haven't figured out how yet."

"Be glad. The mummies were cranky and smelled bad. Fortunately they were also very flameable. So," Isabel said slowly. "You need to get back at someone? Sounds like you might need a minion."

"Staffer," Josh corrected. He grinned. "You interested?"

"Ah, you're only a minion if you're working for the evil overlord?" Isabel asked. "But if you need a staffer, I'd be interested."

"Minions get dental," Josh said with a grin. "Welcome to the team."

"Excellent. I'd ask if it was my job to get you coffee in the morning but I have a feeling you've got that covered."

"I don't get out of bed in the morning without it," Josh replied. "I'll fill out the paperwork, make sure you get credit for this."

"Thanks! I appreciate it! And now I have to get going ~~to karate class~~. See you next week!"

To show that I am done!

...and that I need an OOC icon.

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American Political Campaigning (Wednesday, Sept. 6, 1st period)

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During the lecture

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OOC