For Class on 11/2: Midterm Review Blog

Midterm Review Blog

This week please use the blog to review for the exam. Feel free to post general or specific questions or thoughts and then respond to each others posts. You do not need to write anything more than brief blog entries but I strongly encourage you to check into the blog regularly to look for questions and to help share ideas to review for the exam. The more entries that you add the better for everyone. Make sure to review other entries so that you have correct concepts before the exam.

A couple of hints:

1. Use the review sheet (but don't psych yourself out) it is supposed to help you.
2. Make sure that you have core concepts for each of the sections down, as you begin to connect those large concepts work to include other ideas and identifications connected to those core ideas.
3. Make sure to review readings and class notes.

For Class on 10/26: Becoming a Campaign Advisor (DOUBLE BLOG OPPORTUNITY)

For the blog this week we are going to take on the role of campaign advisor to president Obama and/or his Republican challengers. First, take a look at the major issues that have dominated recent political headlines. The President (and Congress) have many issues that they are dealing with while always positioning themselves for the upcoming 2012 election (even though its 13 months away!). Whether President Obama, and his Republican challengers, effectively address the issues most important to Americans could go a long way in changing how people feel and who will win the upcoming election. Remember, most don't follow politics too closely and have relatively short memories in terms of political and economic issues.

Start by taking a survey similar to those conducted by polling companies and news organizations regarding what issues are most important to you. You can find the survey here.

Next take a look at how your responses and the responses of your classmates compare to national polls here. 

Then please post a comment describing your reactions and offering advice to the President Obama (regardless of whether you support him in real life) or his Republican challengers. You can use any or all of the following prompts as a starting point if you wish.

1. What are your reactions in general to taking our class survey (results will be available in class), or the professional survey results?
2. Based on the polls and the news, what issue(s) should President Obama and/or the Republic challengers focus on in terms of his reelection bid?
3. How should President Obama address these issues? What rhetorical/leadership style do you think would be most persuasive? Is this the same or different from how Republican candidates should address these issues?

Note: This is a double blog opportunity, meaning that if you post more than one comment (leaving a few days and comments between your entries, you can earn two blog credits for this week. As the blog discussion evolves feel free to allow the conversation to move away from the original prompts.