Analysis: Which congressional races are you watching and why?

Did you know that there is more than a presidential election happening on November 4 (the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November)?

Time Dot Com 08 Congressional Races to Watch

Take a look at the 17 races discussed in the above pieces. I haven't read all of them yet, but the ones I've read are well done and make me want to do more research and find out more. You should do that too (there are House and Senate races that are discussed).

All 435 members of the House are up for election every two years. A third of the Senate is up for election every two years (6 year terms, of course).

Bonus Question: With the conviction of Ted Stevens of Alaska, can the Democrats pick up enough seats in the U.S. Senate to get to 60 votes? This would allow them to pass a cloture motion with 60 votes and stop any Republican filibusters (implied bonus, bonus questions: is this a threat to Pluralism and will Joe Lieberman (I) caucus with the Democrats to help them get to the 60 vote supermajority). The fun and intrigue are just beginning...

Advanced Placement Politics and Government
(AP POGO: Hopping from one topic to the next...)

Stuff to be completed NOW ! Comments? Progress?

By Monday:
Ballots completed (includes Democrat, Republican, WI Green, Libertarian)

Second announcement explaining the Mock Election completed and submitted by second hour.

Announcement explaining why to vote and how to vote in the real election completed and submitted by second hour.

Each lunch shows 2 ads on flatscreens (Mr. Bretzmann facilitates)

Each lunch has two t.v.'s that show as many ads as possible. See Alex H. to find out who is in charge of the t.v.'s for each lunch.

CLEARINGHOUSE: Use this post as a clearinghouse to share your information and progress regarding the mock election.

What would we need?
Ballots
Matt C.
Limit who is on the ballot and not allow write-in candidates
Scott W.
Nathan L.
Matt L.
Jake K.
Pencils
Ryan H.
Poll workers
See next page

Collect votes at lunch
5a
Steph V.
Nathan L.
Tyler L.
Scott W.
Savannah B.
5b
Matt C.
Ryan H.
Steph V.
Tyler L.
Addie B.
5c
Kyle C. K.
Jessie R.
Ryan K.
Alli B.
Erik K.
Alex K.
Jake K.

Vote counters
Hour 6, Hour 7
Kyle K. (Coordinator)
List of students (divided alphabetically into 4 separate lists)
Matt C.
Scott W.
2 tables
Kyle K.
“Vote Here” signs (2)
Vince T.

Alphabetical order signs (4)
Tyler L.
Marketing Campaign Coordination
Scott W.
Kyle K.
Erik K.
Ballot Box
Jenni F.

Ask Election Commission for “I Voted” stickers
Addie B.
Information on registering to vote for real election
Jessie R.
Addie B.
Ask Administration for permission to vote and permission to run campaign ads and GOTV ads on flat screens
Scott W.

Fliers describing how and where to register for real and how to find out where to vote for real
Shannon O’
Vina A.
Copies of Fliers
Steph V.
Voting Statistics Research Coordinator
Matt L.
Civicsblog post for clearinghouse of info.
Mr. Bretzmann

Announcement that announces mock election
Scott W.
Announcement that announces real election
Scott W.
Announcement announcing results of mock election and encouraging 18 year-olds to vote today
Scott W.
Invitations to outside speakers
Nathan L.
Matt L.

WHEN WOULD IT HAPPEN?
Planning, preparation and contacts:
NOW

Voting:
November 3

Counting:
November 3 -- 6th, 7th, and after school

Results Announced:
November 4 in announcements

Analysis: Who exceeded expectations in the town-hall-style format? WHAT ABOUT THE "SITTING AT THE TABLE" DEBATE?

The Players:
Bob Schieffer, Barack Obama, John McCain.
(In the audience: Hillary Clinton, Mitt Romney)



(Your choices are John McCain, Barack Obama, or Tom Brokaw)

Ben Smith reports:
"Lynn Sweet reported yesterday that the two campaigns had reached an agreement under which, among other things, moderator Tom Brokaw wouldn't ask follow-up questions tonight.

But Brokaw wasn't a party to the deal, I'm told, and hasn't agreed to it, so the campaigns are expecting follow-up questions, a senior campaign official said."

Analysis: Who completed their mission more effectively in the vice-presidential debate?