Category Archives: Uncategorized

Get your ten hours in – Deadline is Tuesday November 4. Election Day is Tuesday November 4.

It’s coming – Election Day – Tuesday November 4 – it’s the last day to get volunteer hours. If you are near a ten hour total – GET IT! If you’ve got 8 get to 10. If you’ve got 16 get to 20. If you are at 154 get to 160.

Keep up the good work. Have fun! You are making a difference in the world.

• Check here for more info on the Barack Obama campaign.
• Check here for more info on the John McCain campaign.
• Check here for more info on the Holly Hughes campaign.
• Check here for more info on the Mary Valentine campaign.
• Check here for more info on Precinct Two in Egelston on Nov 4.

ALL FOUR CAMPAIGNS ARE IN NEED OF WORKERS:

G.O.T.V. – Get out the Vote – Just give them a call. Warm up the car, post when you’re going here, and head on down for hours.

Please use this site to post weekly questions or comments on the candidates or volunteering options. You may use this site to communicate with other students on when and where and how you plan on getting involved. Don’t forget – any questions call Mr. Wood at (616) 402-8668 or email him bobwoodmsu@charter.net.

Click here for extra volunteer notebook pages.

• The Assignment must be posted by 7:00 PM Saturday November 1.
• This Assignment is worth ten points possible extra credit.

National Public Radio is one of the best sources of unbiased news in the world. They run a news program every morning called “Morning Edition”. They run a news program every night called “All Things Considered.” Each is 90 minutes in length. Each covers the issues of the day in interviews and vignette story form. It is a great way to learn. The following two podcasts are from Monday 10/27 “All Things Considered.” Listen to each and answer the following questions.

Obama Makes Closing Arguments in Ohio – podcast (3:53)

In Ohio McCain Warns Against One- Party Rule – podcast (3:09)

On these podcasts each candidate is campaigning in Ohio. Both are providing closing arguments to their campaigns. Listen to each podcast and do the following:

1 – First take Obama – if you were at his rally – what issues does he emphasize? What things does he want you to leave that rally believing? And finally what impresses you about the sound of his message – the presentation of it all?

2 – Next take McCain – if you were at his rally – what issues does he emphasize? What things does he want you to leave that rally believing? And finally what impresses you about the sound of his message – the presentation of it all?

3 – One last thing – in the two podcasts together – what had the biggest impression on you? Was it the speaking styles of the two men, the message that they conveyed, the broadcasters thoughts on the podcast? Tell me why.

When posting your answers label your first answer “Obama.” Skip a line. Label your second answer “McCain.” Skip a line. Label your third answer “Biggest Impression.”

Map and count is current as of 10/27/08. Presentation by Angelina, Britt, Chad, & Kyle.

• Obama / Biden –306
• McCain / Palin – 157
• Toss Up – 75

Each week between September 15 and November 4 (the election) Senior Current Issues will provide you an update on the progress of the 2008 Presidential Election. Each week at this site you will find a photo (USA Electoral Map in room #112) of the updated polling comparisons between Barack Obama and John McCain. Each week a different group of seniors will offer you a three to five minute podcast of where this election currently stands and the trends they see on the horizon. Student groups will provide a news article that they think will help you to better understand the dynamics of this election. All students are encouraged to listen to the podcast and read the article.

SCI students will offer a “what do you think” question that goes with the news article. All Senior Current Issues students must do the ensuing 20 point blog. All other students may choose to answer the question as an extra credit blog assignment (5 pts max.)

All electoral votes come from estimates located on Real Clear Politics.com Remember polls are only estimates of how people may vote. Until Nov 4 nobody really knows the outcome of this election.

Podcast – click podcast. Go to Real Clear Politics while you listen. Podcast coincides with photo of map in room 112, located at the top of this post. Special Note the podcast does not work in Firefox browser.

News Article – New York Times – “Do Polls Lie About Race?”

Question – Describe in detail exactly what “The Bradley Effect” is. How do you feel “The Bradley Effect” will impact this election? Or will it have no effect at all because issues like the economy trump race?

Postings for the question must be made by 7:00 PM Friday of the week in question.

Podcast: (95% / A) Creative!  The musical addition was great.  Nicely done.  Info was solid – moving across the country and sharing of responsibility good too.  All around good job.

Article / Question: (95% / A-) Very good article.  I think it got people thinking.  And it certainly introduced the concept of the Bradley effect to people who did not know what it was all about.  Good choice.  Question works.

Presentation: (97%) Very very good presentation.  Questions and answers – good.  Took us around the country.  I think we are ready to see this election play out…with your thoughts as a final prep.

Overall Grade: (96% / A) – Well done guys.  The music, the presentation, the topic (Bradley Effect).  I think you’ve given us a great send off to election day.  

Check the category “08 ELECTION – The News” for more news about the candidates and the Election.

This is an open invitation for volunteers to work for the for a democratic victory on election day from right in Egelston township.

We have positions for Election Challengers, phonebankers, and runners. Election Challengers must be 18 registered to vote and will sit a shift at the polls. Phonebanking is ideal for under 18 individuals. Phonebanking largely involves calling individuals who have not voted, coordinating rides for those who need them, and communicating important election information as needed. Some internet canvassing and emailing may be involved.

This is a great opportunity to learn up front about the election system as it applies right here in Egelston, as well as a possibility of meeting current and potential office holders. If interested I need to know ideally by Friday October 31st. Snacks, beverages, and transportation will be provided.

Contact Branden Gemzer 903-3838 or at gemzerb@yahoo.com with interest or any questions.

Governor Jennifer Granholm will be at the Obama Merriam Street Campaign HQ on Sunday at 12:45 – She is going to kick off a door-to-door canvassing for Obama on Sunday.   This is a great opportunity for you to meet one of the highest profile women in United States politics at a personal level, and then go canvassing and pick up volunteer hours.

If you are interested you have to contact the Obama offices on SATURDAY – So  call Krystal Unwin at (231) 360-9906 or email her at kunwin@michiganforchange.com  ASAP and let her know if you will be there.  You can also call me at (616) 402-8668 if you have questions.