Tuesday, January 8, 2008

Please answer questions by searching the Internet for CREDITABLE sources. Be sure to credit websites for information.



The candidates running for president are from both the Democratic and Republican parties. The Democratic candidates are Hilary Clinton, who wants to provide affordable and accessable healthcare, BarrackObama, who wants to lower taxes, Bill Richardson who wants to make America a clean energy nation,Mike Gravel who wants to reduce America's carbon influence, John Edwards who wanted to strengthen domestic defense, and Dennis Kucinich who wants to work to end poverty. The Republican candidates are Rudy Giuliani, who wants to lower taxes, Mike Huckabee, who wants to give all children education,Duncan Hunter, who wants to secure borders, Alan Keyes, who wants to stop abortion, John McCain, who wants to lower taxes, Ron Paul, who wants to ensure homeschooling opportunities, Mitt Romney, who wants to improve healthcare, and Fred Thompson who wants to keep the right to bear arms. (washingtonpost.com). A caucus is an informal meeting between candidates and potential voters where candidates meet voters in churches, schools, and houses. Caucuses are held to allow people to evaluate candidates and allow candidates of the same party to compete for nomination(drake.edu). The National Convention for the Republican party will be held in Chicago on June 2, and on August 25-28 for the Democratic party. These are held to nominate candidates and the candidates for President and Vice President are determined here for each party. We re-elect presidents every four years using the election process. First the candidates get nominated for President nd Vice President form each party. Then for eight to ten weeks the candidates go to the public to tell them of what they are going to do in office and to get voters to vote for them. Then in November, the voters go to the voting polls to vote for electors who in turn vote for the President and Vice President. Next the Electoral College votes on the President and Vice President. The candidate that gets the vote majority or 50% or more wins the election. If no one wins majority the House of Representatives votes to determine the President(thinkquest.org). Besides election techniques, the canduidates get known through the media on talk shows, and news, speeches, and rallies.The presidential election system is broken when no candidate receives the majority of the votes or over 50% of the votes. Then the House of Representatives votes on the President ot choose the President. The president election system is not like American Idol or Survivor because although it may seem like entertainment and a popularity contest, people pay attention to the issues presented because many vote for those unpopular but who are going to make the most change. The primary system does not always produce the best candidates just the most popular ones. The best candidate is not always the best president because they may have good oratory and campaigning skills but as president may not be the best(about.com) We are sometimes electing skilled and thoughtful leaders but sometimes just the best celeberity package. This is because the best celeberity package is usually the one known by most people so most vote for him. To run a campaign it can cost over 375,000 dollars (washingtonpost.com).This cost makes me feel that the election is unfair to those who are good candidtaes but don't have a lot of money because it holds them back from running, and gives them a disadvantage when campaigning. Candidates receive funds through contributions,disbursements, individuals, and cash thats on hand(fec.gov).If I could vote for a President I would vote for Rudy Giuliani because although he is not popular he has good experience from being the Mayor of New York, and he dealt with 9/11 well. The Presidential elections are a very complex and important process when it comes to our governement.

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