POLS 1301 – American Government & Organization

Instructor: Dr. Jeff Karp

TA: Josh Ozymy

Some announcements:

• Books – no need to purchase Politics after Sept. 11. – no class reading from book

• Even if do not have books now must complete the reading prior to exams

• Notetaker

Outline for Day

• Instructions for Clickers

• Does the republic need reform?

Instructions for Clickers

• Response pads can be purchased at the campus bookstore. Registration codes can be purchased online for a reduced price (see details below).

Purchase Device

• You are required to purchase and register an eInstruction response pad which will be used to participate in course exercises.

• You can purchase the device at the university bookstore for $4. The cost for registration is $15 which can be completed through the eInstruction website (see below).

• Alternatively there are a limited number of registration codes for purchase at the university bookstore for $22.50.

Register device

• After you purchase the device you must register it at http://www.einstruction.com/.

• On the home page select “students” in the top right hand corner and then select Texas Tech from the drop down menu and “choose course” The class key is S2072P457.

• You must purchase and register these devices in your name by Tuesday, September 16, 2004.

Do Presidential Election Campaigns Matter?

• Ad Wars

• Convention

• http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,129669,00.html

• Talk Show Appearances

• http://www.comedycentral.com

"Trial Heat"

• Bush’s share of vote = Gallup Poll published right after Labor Day + growth rate for real Gross Domestic Product for the second quarter

• James Campbell

• www.politicalforecasting.com

“Jobs Model” = 51.16%

• Bush’s share of vote = – July presidential popularity– six-month GNP change (interacted with

whether or not the president is running)– incumbent party advantage– job growth over the administration.  – All measures are taken mid-summer of the

election year.

From Primary to General Election 54.7 %

• Bush’s share of vote = – Primary support of the major-party nominees – Long-term partisanship – Presidential vote cycle

• Helmut Norpoth

SOURCE: www.politicalforecasting.com

Questions:

• What about campaigns?– Conventions– Media coverage– Advertising

• Is popular vote the important outcome?

• Effects on elections lower on the ballot?

• What is the purpose of an election?

About the course:

• Instructor: Prof. Jeffrey Karp• email: j.karp@ttu.edu• Office: Holden Hall 219; 742-4048• Office Hours: W 10:00-12:00pm; TH 4:30-5:30pm

• TA: David Watson• email: davidthomas92@hotmail.com• Office: Holden Hall 216; 742-2631• Office Hours: M 3-4; T,TH 2-3; W 2-4; F 9-10

Books

• www.atomicdog.com webpage for book

• http://www.jkarp.com/f2004/ Course webpage

• HH only www.einstruction.com

Next Class Meeting

• Reading – Squire ch. 1 Donovan ch. 1

• Topics: Does the Republic Need Reforming?