02.+Candidates

__** INTERACTIVE ACTIVITY: JOURNEY MAPS **__ **Learning activities** Did you find this tool helpful? [|Let us know]. **[|Journey Maps]** (Recommended for all ages) Travel around the globe on a journey through the lives of [|Obama] and [|McCain].
 * Learn which themes and issues are most important to the candidates.
 * Compare the most popular videos from McCain and Obama and discuss what they imply about the race between the two candidates.

__** 2008 Presidential Candidates **__

A multitude of candidates are hoping to win their party's nomination for the 2008 presidential election. Between now and election day, many candidates will enter and leave the race for a variety of reasons. Eventually, each party will use its convention to choose the candidate they will endorse and those nominees will battle it out until one is elected as our next president. This lesson examines the political process, the candidates and their platforms, and the ultimate outcome of the 2008 election.

Running for president is a multi-step process that requires a candidate to invest a significant amount of time, effort, and money. To help you see and understand more about this process, you will create a flow chart that outlines the process that a presidential candidate will go through on the road to being elected to the presidency.

Some of the major steps included in this chart could be:

Step 1: Formation of Presidential Exploratory Committee Step 2: Announcement of intention to run for president based on findings of exploratory committee Step 3: Fundraising and gathering of support and endorsements from the general public as well as other politicians, special interest groups, corporations, etc. Step 4: Campaigning early, particularly in states where primaries are especially important (i.e. Iowa, New Hampshire, home state, etc.) Step 5: Continuing to campaign to beat out all other opponents from within your own party. Step 6: Attending your party's National Convention and securing the nomination of the party. Step 7: Campaigning nationwide against your opponents from other parties Step 8: Winning the election and securing enough electoral votes to be named the next president.

Once you have created your chart, discuss with your classmates on the following:
 * Becoming president is a long, difficult, expensive process. Why do you think so many candidates from each party are willing to attempt this process in order to become the next president?
 * How does having a large number of candidates for each party complicate the election process?
 * In what ways is having a large number of candidates to choose from a positive thing for U.S. citizens?
 * What responsibilities do voters have when it comes to selecting a candidate to represent their political party?
 * Do you think it is important to elect the president based on his/her political platform? Prior experience as a leader? Ability to connect with and understand the average American? Which of these is most important to you?

it is difficult to know and understand each candidate's platform and position on important political issues. To help you get a better understanding of the candidates who are running, download and print out the **Candidates Profile Worksheet**. Use one worksheet per candidate.


 * WWW resources**

VOTE 2008: MEET THE CANDIDATES http://www.pbs.org/newshour/vote2008/candidates/

BARACK OBAMA FOR PRESIDENT http://www.barackobama.com

JOHN MCCAIN FOR PRESIDENT http://www.johnmccain.com

RALPH NADER FOR PRESIDENT [|http://www.votenader.org]