THE STEPS

THE STEPS	Announcement	Primaries/Caucus	Conventions
Official Campaign	General Election	Electoral College	Inauguration

Now for the Kick-Off!

The traditional kick-off for Presidential campaigns begins with the Labor Day weekend. By this time, most American voters are tired of the process, especially the negative twists and turns of the candidates’ attempts to gather votes. What are the most effective ways to get voters to listen, to gain support, and to eventually win in November? Look at the current campaign process and make recommendations for improvement in the process. What would the candidates and their political parties need to do to attract YOU as part of the YOUth vote?

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Sites to Explore

Campaigns are really expensive. Just where do the candidates get the money to pay for the campaign?

http://www.pbs.org/followthemoney/

Are there rules on financing campaigns? The Federal Election Commission spells it out and explains more about the election process in its Citizen's Guide.

http://www.fec.gov/citizen-guide.html

How are public funds used in campaigns? Check out the Presidential Public Funding Program.

http://www.fec.gov/info/pfund.htm

What's going on with campaign finance reform? Look into this site from Randolph Macon Women's College.

http://faculty.rmwc.edu/slockhart/P208STU/SGODFREY/Main.htm

What about free TV air time for campaigns?

http://www.pbs.org/newshour/bb/media/jan-june00/free_air_3-30.html

How effective is the use of political advertising in campaigns? Here are two opinions.

http://www.scripps.ohiou.edu/wjmcr/vo102/2-1a-B.htm

http://www.campaignconduct.org/

Television advertisements are a big component of the campaign. Is this really the best they can do? See what the Public Broadcasting Service has to say.

http://www.pbs.org/pov/ad/index.html

http://www.pbs.org/pov/ad/ads/toolkit_list.html

How do the political parties actually make the commercials for the campaign?

http://www.pbs.org/30secondcandidate/tricks_of_the_trade/

What role is played by the Commission on Presidential Debates?

http://www.debates.org

See the pivotal moments from the last 40 years of Presidential debates through the eyes of those who were there.

http://www.pbs.org/newshour/debatingourdestiny