The Burkean Trustee

As per today's class discussion...Do you agree with the idea of the 'Burkean Trustee' Model of government? Or, do you think that representatives make decisions based on their need to get reelected? Make sure you post and also RESPOND to each other. 

Congressional Term Limits

Based on the information I gave you in class today, as well as your own personal opinion (or any other information that you find) do you think that there should be term limits for members of congress? Why / why not? Discuss!

ALSO - just a quick note - there WILL be an FRQ tomorrow on interest groups and political parties, and how they each work to impact the political process.

Final Review

Know the following information for Friday’s final exam:

Presidential nomination process

The role of the media in the nomination / campaign  process

Primaries

Caucuses

1968 DNC in Chicago – what happened there? What were the results?

Fraser-McGovern Commission

Buckley v. Valeo (1976) – what was the case and the court ruling?

McCain-Feingold Act of 2002

Matching funds (for campaign financing)

Soft money

Hard money

FEC

PACS

SUPERPACS

How would you define interest groups?

What is the difference between interest groups and political parties? Similarities?

Which groups are general supporters of the GOP? Of the DNC?

Define Federalism

Political efficacy (definition)

Political socialization (where do our ideas come from?)

Difference between an opened and closed primaries

Campaign strategy (three M’s)

President's State of the Union Address

What are your thoughts about the President's address tonight? Most important points? Discuss! 

The proliferation of the SuperPAC

As per our class discussion today (which was so rudely interrupted by the bell...), do you think SuperPACS should be regulated under the FEC? Discuss! Use your class notes and article to support you response (also.. I have postponed the FRQ until Tuesday, we still have one more item pertaining to campaign finance reform that needs to be discussed tomorrow) 

Negative campaign ads

Do negative campaign ads have a more positive or negative effect on the American electorate? Please use your readings to support your response. Also, make sure to also respond to someone else's point of view. Discuss!'

Campaign positions

Today in class we discussed the campaign process and various job positions they might have to fill. Which positions, do you feel, are the most pertinent to the campaign?