AP & United States Government: Election 2016News Journal

Total Grade: Trimester Exam

Due: Friday, November 11th

As 2016 is a presidential election year, we are provided with a unique opportunity to analyze American politics. In order to analyze the functions of our political system, we will need to establish a base line of information. This assignment will require the student to follow the primary presidential election campaigns through the fall general election season. Students will start by learning about the specific candidates and their platforms. Then, they will monitor the major presidential campaign news stories; track how they are covered week to week; analyze how media outlets present the stories; monitor the effect those stories have on political polls; and then determine how those issues are related to the Constitutional duties of the President.

Part I: The Candidates

Create a biographical sketch of each of the four candidates, which includes the following information: (create your own chart that provides a side-by-side comparison)

  • Basic biographical information (name, age, political party affiliation, religion, ethnic background,notable family history, state they are from/currently reside in)
  • Resume: notable experience, both politically and privately (e.g. previously a state-level politician? national-level politician? president or CEO of a company? military experience?)
  • Personal or political achievements (other than those listed above)
  • Criticisms of candidate (keep it professional, fact-based, and realistic; this is not your opinion)

Part II: Issues

Each student will gain specific knowledge of each candidate by completing the attached chart on issues. You may type into the one provided, or create your own, similar table making sure to include each issue provided. Obviously each box will expand significantly as you type. Students must address each candidate’s position on each issue listed in 50 to 100 words per issue. Please provide a citation for each position. You are encouraged to use each candidate’s specific website to obtain the most accurate information possible, or sources that are known for their lack of bias.

Part III: News Coverage

Each student will track election news via various sources each week. The news sources you use should be varied, and should be a nationally known media outlet – CNN, Fox News, MSNBC, Politico, Real Clear Politics, etc. Only use the generic/headline news reporting, not pundit-hosted shoes – avoidTV news shows like the Rachel Maddow Show or O’Reilly Factor, or radio shows like Rush Limbaugh or Sean Hannity. These are commentary and therefore are based on the host’s opinion.

Students may use print media (newspapers, weekly magazines: Washington Post, Time, etc) as well as the accompanying on-line resources, television, or a news radio station like NPR.

Create a table in MS Word or Google Docs to track and document the news each week.

What constitutes a “major news story”? Students should use their best judgment – chances are, if the story is not appearing on every news outlet with great frequency over the course of the week, it’s not very major. Avoid minor news briefs, for example, a candidate eating a hot dog at a state fair, and sensationalized stories, for example, an open mic gaffe.

The table should include:

  • A brief description of a major topic of the week – or an update of the topic as it evolves from week to week. A brief description is one (1) paragraph (at least 200 words) in 12pt, Times New Roman font, single-space.
  • Citation –news sourcename, date when the story was reported; author of the article if applicable.
  • Description of the relationship to the President’s Constitutional duties, citing the Article/Amendment, Section, and clause in which the duty is listed.If the issue does not fall under the president’s responsibilities, include the Constitutional citation of the government body that is responsible. This is the most important part of the project. If you’re writing about an issue and cannot find a constitutional relationship, choose another story. If you notice that a candidate does not have any authority in terms of the issue in which he or she is speaking, note that and note who does have the authority.
  • The poll numbers/approval ratings for each candidate each week. Be sure to cite the poll being used (Politico, Real Clear Politics, CNN. Fox Gallup, etc.)
  • Money – keep a running tally of how much each candidate raises, and from where the money is coming. Use opensercrets.org as your weekly reference.

Note to student:

  • In terms of the news journal, you must account for eachweek from the start to the end date.
  • Any plagiarism on any part of this project will result in a final grade of a zero. Everything must be in your own words.

Part IV: Election Night Coverage

As you watch the election coverage, fill in the map depending on who won each state. You may color each state red (Republican) or blue (Democrat) or indicate the difference in another clearly labeled way. Then, complete the attached information in terms of specific results.

Part II: The Issues

Note: Candidates are listed in the order of which they were polling at the time this chart was created.

Hilary Clinton (Dem) / Donald Trump (Rep) / Gary Johnson (Lib) / Jill Stein (Green)
Abortion
Budget
Civil Rights
Corporations
Crime
Drugs
Education
Energy & Oil
Environment
Families & Children
Foreign Policy
Free Trade
Government Reform
Gun Control
Health Care
Homeland Security
Immigration
Infrastructure & Technology
Jobs
Principles & Values
Social Security
Tax Reform
War & Peace
Welfare & Poverty

Part III: Example News Table / Template:

Student Name:______

News (+Citation) / Constitutional Relationship / Weekly Polling Data / Money spent per candidate, per type
Week 1 (Dates) / Ron Paul and Barrack Obama have engaged in heated debate over federal budget proposals. Paul believes government spending should be cut in half, removing “Obamacare”, cutting the EPA’s budget, and limiting FDA involvement in healthcare. Obama has accused Paul and his supporters of hurting the most needy Americans by taking away benefits designed by the government to protect their fellow Americans…
Citation: CNN Headline News, Tuesday 11/10 / According to Article 2, Section 3 the President may “…recommend to their [Congress] consideration such measures as he shall judge necessary…” meaning, he may suggest federal expenditures, but he cannot decide them. Congress controls the power to determine funding for federal programs; the president may only suggest how the funding is determined. / Republican Candidate (___%):
Democrat Candidate (___%):
Libertarian Candidate (___%):
Green Party Candidate (___%):
Polling Source & Date:
*Please remove above titles with actual names, but include party label
Week 2 (Dates)

Part IV: Election Night Results

Total Electoral Votes:

Total Electoral Votes

Hilary Clinton (Dem):

Donald Trump (Rep):

Consider our American Political Landscape Project. Did the results in any specific states surprise you? Why or why not?

Virginia District 2 House Race (Total Votes)

Shaun Brown (Dem):

Scott Taylor (Rep):

How did Accomack & Northampton counties vote?

VA Referenda (Passed or Did Not Pass?)

“Right to Work” Amendment: Makes mandatory membership in a labor union illegal (Ballotpedia)

Property Tax Exemption: Provides a local option property tax exemption for surviving spouse of any law-enforcement officer, firefighter, search and rescue personnel, or emergency medical services personnel killed in the line of duty (Ballotpedia)

What changes were made to the legislative branch? Which parties are in the majority/minority due to this election?

US House of Representatives

US Senate