Attack of the Ads -- PowerPoint!

In addition to Windows Live Movie Maker, you can also use Microsoft PowerPoint to complete your Attack Ad project. You can include the same exact information you would include using Movie Maker in PowerPoint.

• Compile your required information
• Set it up in the order you want it on the slides
• Include any explanatory text, etc.

Once you've got the PowerPoint set up in the order you want it, it's time to work on the following:

• Transitions
• Timing
• Voiceover recording
• Sounds

By accessing the "Insert" tab, you can ad any sound or video you have saved to the Y: drive.

In the "Animations" tab, you can set up the timing, transitions and sounds for your show. Make sure that it meets the 1-2 minute time limit.

In the "Slide Show" tab, you can record a voiceover for your ad.

Attack of the Ads

This sign is right. For this project,
however, we will ignore its wisdom.

Keep your lobbying pamphlets on your desk.

Today, you will begin to take your campaign on the offensive -- literally, and metaphorically. Over the past month or so, you have gathered a massive amount of information about your candidate. You are becoming an expert on his likes and dislikes, his positives and negatives, his every idiosyncrasy. Starting today, you will put that knowledge to use.

Today and Monday, you will create an attack ad on behalf of your candidate's campaign. It should be 1-2 minutes in length.

This project has two components:

• The research sheet. You started this on Tuesday. You will complete it today. It must be saved to the "Y:\Ramin American Politics\Republicans and Interest Groups" folder. It should be saved as "Your Last Names -- Your Candidate Name -- IG." Your completed research sheet is a 30 point project grade, based on this rubric.
• The attack ad. You will begin work on this today in class and complete it Monday. It is due at the end of class on Monday. This is a 50 point project grade, based on this rubric.

I recommend that you use Windows Live Movie Maker. This site will tell you exactly how to create a 1 minute video using Windows Live Movie Maker. Watch the video. Although the subject matter is nothing like what we will be doing, all of the principles involved apply.


Part 5: Attack Ads
Start by watching at least 3 ads from the "Attack Ad Hall of Fame" site hosted by the University of Chicago. Use them to respond to the following:

1. What is the most effective attack ad you watched? Why?
2. The least effective? Why?

Part 6: Strategy

Take a look at this rather complete article from eHow titled "How to Create a Political Attack Ad." Use it to assist your planning process.

Choose one opponent to attack. Record the name of this candidate. Follow the steps in the article to plan your ad. Record the relevant information for each "Instruction" listed in the article.

Part 7: Script

Plan your attack ad. Write a summary describing exactly what you plan to include in your ad, in the correct order. This should be a bullet-point list.

Wherever you plan to include an internet resource, you must copy and paste the link for the photo, article, audio file or video you will use. This will serve as our bare-bones citation page for this project. Use reliable sources -- newspapers, university sites, news networks, etc.


You also have the option to create short videos using the digital cameras I have with me.

When in doubt, ask me if a source is reliable. Absolutely no blogs.


Create a new folder in my "Y:\Ramin American Politics\Attack Ads Research" folder. Use it to organize photos, articles, audio files, or videos you will use.

Part 8: The Ad

When you've finished gathering your information, it's time to start making your ad. At this point, you should have everything you need to eliminate your opponent with one devastating TV spot. Be creative, and follow the rubric.


Save your video to the "Y:\Ramin American Politics\Attack Ads" folder.

The Lobbyist’s Handbook

•You will work with a partner to create a tri-fold pamphlet to help new lobbyists successfully do their jobs.

•You will use the information on pp. 313-318 to create your pamphlet.

•You will need to choose a cause that is important to you and follow the instructions on the next slide.

•HINT: Try not to get your potential lobbyists arrested.

•A cover image and title. Something like: “How To Be A ____________ Lobbyist”. Put your names on this page (“By: Student A and Student B) (5 pts.)

•An intro fold which explains your interest group’s goal to the prospective lobbyist. (5 pts.)

•Each “center” fold should include:

–an explanation of how to successfully use a lobbying strategy to promote your cause.  (3 pts. per fold)

–A focus on one strategy (DIRECT, GRASSROOTS, AND INFORMATION).  (1 pt. per fold)

–Steps to follow and/or simply pieces of advice. Each fold should be full of information. (4 pts. per fold)

–At least 2 references to text per fold. (2 pts. per fold)

Occupy Wall Street Meets Iowa

An interesting connection between the "Occupy" movement and the upcoming Republican primaries:

http://www.politico.com/news/stories/1111/67314.html

Attention Tweeters!

If you use Twitter, this tweet from Pres. Obama might be of interest to you:

@BarackObamaBarack Obama 

Tweet your questions about how President Obama is helping students to #GreaterTogether, and they could get answered at tonight’s summit.

42 minutes ago via webFavorite Retweet Reply

Retweeted by natronium and 100+ others

Tweet a question to the President, print something out that shows me your tweet, get 5 points extra credit!


You can sign up to watch the summit live on the President's campaign site here.

Mock Trial Case

The 2011 PSM Mock Trial Team.

If you are signed up for Law & Government class this Spring and would like to take an early look at the Mock Trial case, you can find it here.

Republican Roundup: Current Events and Interest Groups

Proof -- Buddy Roemer (right) has been in the news recently!

Keep your notes from last night on your desk.

Today you will return to working with your partner to find out some more information about your Republican candidate. You will:

• Research your candidate's recent performance
• Analyze the impact interest groups have on your candidate

First, make sure that your dossiers from the first quarter are saved to the correct location on the Y: drive -- Y:\Ramin American Politics\Republican Dossiers. You will need to come back to this information during quarter 2. Make sure the document is saved as "Your Last Names - Your Candidate's Last Name - Dossier".

Now, create a new Word document. Save it to the Y:\Ramin American Politics\Republicans and Interest Groups folder. Save your document as "Your Last Names - Your Candidate's Last Name - IG".

The assignment is worth 2 points per question, 30 points total.

Part 1: Recent Events

Your candidates have been busy since we last saw checked in on them. In particular, Mr. Cain and Mr. Perry have some very specific issues to deal with. Complete the following:

1. Check the polls using RealClearPolitics' Poll Average chart. How is your candidate doing? Has his standing improved? Who is the current front runner?
2. Three of the most historically important primary elections occur in Iowa, New Hampshire, and South Carolina. Find the links for the current poll results from these states on the left hand side of the RCP page. Record your candidate's standing in each state, then predict his performance in each primary (based on current data).
3. Check your candidate's current standing against President Obama. Have things changed since you last looked? How would your candidate fare against the incumbent?
4. Read and briefly summarize 2 news articles related to your candidate. What has he been in the news for lately?
5. How do you anticipate your campaign will be affected by recent events? Specifically, will your candidate be helped or hurt by what he's been doing recently?

Part 2: Let's Look at the TapeImage is incredibly important in a political campaign. With that in mind, find at least one video from the last week related to your candidate. You may use any news site -- CNN, CBS News, MSNBC, Fox News, etc. Use it to complete the following:

1. Record the link for the video. Watch it, then summarize its content.
2. Record your emotional response to your candidate based on this video.
3. Remember -- you are your candidate's campaign managers for Illinois' 7th District. How do you think the video will affect your candidate's poll performance in this district?
4. How can you use the information you find to help your candidate? Alternatively, how can you control any damage your candidate has done to his campaign in the video you found?

Part 3: Interest Groups

Your candidate has many people attempting to get his attention at all times. Today, we will attempt to discover who might have the most influence over his policies.

1. Define interest group.
2. According to your book, what are the five major roles of an interest group? Briefly describe each. This can be a list with definitions.
3. Define lobbyist. How could an interest group make use of a lobbyist?
4. Examine your candidate's official site. What interest groups might have his attention? How can you tell?
5. Examine this list of interest groups from the LA Times. Each group's name links to its official website. Which of these interest groups might support your candidate? Explain your response. You should have at least three interest groups.
6. Do a Google news search for your candidate's name and the word "lobbyist". Try the same with "interest groups". What type of influence do lobbyists and interest groups seem to have over your candidate? Copy and paste any links where you find information.
7. What type of influence do lobbyists and interest groups seem to have over the campaign in general? Copy and paste any links where you find information.

Part 4: Lobbying Tactics

1. Take a look at the anti-Romney ad launched by a 527 group today. You can find the ad linked to in this article. What does the group's goal seem to be? How do they attempt to accomplish it? What tactics do they use?
2. Think about your opponents. Which one(s) might you want to attack? Why?
3. What are some vulnerabilities your opponents have? Be specific to whichever candidates you bring up.
4. Which interest groups listed in the LA Times article might be sympathetic to your cause? Explain.