Mister/Madam President
| Step One: Making the Decision |
Step Two: Gathering Support |
Step Three: The Primary Process |
Step Four: The Convention |
Step Five: The Election |
Step Six: Electoral College |
Step 3: The Primary Process
The New Hampshire Primary!
A primary is an election to choose a party's nominee. Almost every state will have a primary and choose delegates. These delegates will meet later during the summer to choose a nominee for the party to run against the nominee from the other party. For more information check out Time Magazine's Primary Primer.
Scenario:
It's been a grueling six months on the campaign trail and not one vote has yet to be cast. You've been visiting with people, raising money, getting to know the issues and trying to raise name recognition for yourself. Still, too many people say, "Who is that person?"
As always, New Hampshire will be the first primary. Right now you are running against 5 other people from your own party. Many of them have similar ideas to your own. You have virtually moved into the state. You have been there meeting people, giving speeches, raising money, and holding town forums. Now it is crunch time!
Activity 1:
Today is February 1st and the New Hampshire Primary is February 15th. You have $150, 000 left in the campaign treasury. The first thing you need to do is decide how to spend it. Take a look at the Activity Sheet on Spending to see what your options are and determine with your advisors how you will spend the funds. Some things to consider:
- Should you spend it all here? New Hampshire is pretty important. The winner gets good press coverage and begins to look like the front-runner. Front-runners have an easier time raising money.
- New Hampshire is important, but what about the primary next week in South Carolina? Can you afford to spend it all here?
- Your advisors tell you that 4 of your opponents will drop out if they lose New Hampshire. You may have to do the same if you lose New Hampshire.
Activity 2:
You and your 5 opponents will have a debate on February 12th. Your advisors tell you that his is pretty important and that you need to do well. You spend a great deal of time studying (it's like a quiz!). Each candidate will get 90 seconds to make a closing statement. Again, this is pretty important to you. Your advisors provide you with some key phrases and say you should write your closing. You meet with your Communications Director and look over the Phrase Sheet provided. You want to make a moving speech that is vague and patriotic. Look at the phrases and write your closing statement using some of the phrases.
Find out the RESULTS OF THE NEW HAMPSHIRE PRIMARY