D10

1. Geography of a state plays a huge role in which area gives the most money. Chicago donated over $85,000,000 more than the second top donor in Illinois. Chicago is the densest city in Illinois, so candidates target these areas for more money.

2. In Nevada, the top two donors are casinos/gambling and health professionals. In New York, the top donor is from securities and investment. This shows how the candidates and campaigns target the most prominent economic players of the state, for they have the most money to give. 

3. Presidential campaigns gain the most money. The numbers for each state are highest in regards to amount of money donated to presidential candidates, understandably because the presidential elections are the most prominent in America.

D9

A.
1) This survey asked voters who they think will "win" the second presidential debate, how personally critical each presidential candidate acted against the other, whether Ryan or Biden did better during the vice-presidential debate, and the likeliness that voters will watch the next debate.
2) Each candidate could use the results of this survey to determine how his tone was interpreted by the American audience. Obama can see that over time voters see him as more personally critical, however less people still see him as personally critical, as compared to Romney. The candidates can reflect on how they feel they behaved during the debate, and how the voters felt.
3) The survey indicates how, compared to the same survey conducted after the McCain/Obama, Kerry/Bush, Gore/Bush, etc. debates, "no Republican candidate has been viewed as less personally critical of their opponent than Romney is today." This shows how the Republican party is generally more aggressive and personally critical at debates. If Romney wants to specifically target the Republican party, perhaps he should be more forthright and critical of Obama.

B.
1) PEW.5 (And) Do you think Barack Obama has been too personally critical of Mitt Romney, or not?
2) Based on the question about Obama being too personally critical, the results showed that each Democratic candidate became more and more personally critical with each of the three debates. Between mid-March 2004 and September 2004, the numbers for Kerry went up from 48-52. From June 2008 to October 2012, Obama's numbers went up from 19-35. There is definitely a change over time here, for Kerry's numbers were initially much higher than Obama's.
3) The question is fairly unbiased. The question could be changed to : "Do you think Obama's fiery attacks and blatant lies against Romney make him more personally critical?" to make it more biased.

C.
1) The survey was conducted October 12-14, 2012.
2) The total sample size was 1,006 adults 18 years or older living in the continental United States.
3) The margin of error was plus or minus 3.7%
4) There was a 97& confidence level

D6

As Chief of Staff I continued collecting work from each sector of our campaign team, and checked in with individuals. I worked mostly with the print-ad team to produce flyers that accentuate key points of our platform that will be appealing to the CHS student body. One aspect of the platform that we emphasize is an increase in vacation days, bringing back troops from overseas, more jobs, and universal healthcare. The recent presidential and vice presidential debates have shown candidates who have a list of points that they want to talk about, and know extensively about, and are able to manipulate questions in order to touch on these points. The executive team has been working on prepping Potter for the upcoming debate on Friday, coming up with ways to successfully answer difficult questions, possibly even 'spinning' the question in our favor. 

D7

Policy:

Obama:

- Encouraging natural gas industries, drilling, coal industries

- Continue tax cuts for middle class families and small businesses

- Companies provide contraceptive coverage through health insurance, maintain funding for planned parenthood

- Close loopholes for companies gaining tax cuts when they invest overseas - create more jobs at home

Romney:

- Get America energy independent, through more drilling offshore in Alaska, in Virginia, the pipeline from Canada

- Get as much energy as we need in North America, restrict trade- "get out of China," -- "On day one I will label China as a currency manipulator"

* For mock election: Both Romney and Obama are committed to driving home their own points - successfully twisting the answer to a question in order to talk about what they want to talk about. Have a set list of points that  candidate feels strongly about, is very informed of, and hit on those points

Quotes:

Obama:

- "He has a one point plan...to make sure that folks at the top play by their own rules." 

- "Women getting the same fair deal that men are...I have two daughters, and I want to make sure they have the same opportunities as any man does."

Romney:

-"The middle class has been crushed for the last four years."

- "I want to make sure we use our oil, coal, gas, renewable energy...getting us energy independent within eight years." 

*For mock election: Candidate should try not to stutter, or stumble over words. Have a few zingers, and original phrases for the audience to remember.

Style:

Obama:

- Red tie

- More attacks specifically on Romney than the last Presidential debate

- Seemed more passionate, came back strong

Romney: 

- Blue tie

- Defensive, attacks on Obama as well

* For mock election: Counting out points (first, second, third), not too many hand motions, look sharp

Wild Card:

- Standing up, attacks on one another, arguing

- Woman asked pointed question to Romney - distinguished Romney policies (tax breaks for wealthy, education restrictions) that would affect the middle class, how are these policies supposed to help the middle class?

- Loaded question: "What do you think about people without green cards who are productive members of our society?"

      - Romney won't grant amnesty to illegal immigrants, won't give driver's licenses or "magnets" for illegal immigrants, but we're still a "nation of immigrants" 

      - Obama "talent from all around the world want to come here...people want to take risks to come here" - streamline legal immigration system (make it easier, cheaper, for immigrants), more border patrol, for the young people "think of them as citizens" (DREAM Act)

*For mock election: If candidate knows he/she is answering second, he/she should really listen to the first candidate's answer. Make notes to touch on and possibly attack.

D4

Policy: 

Biden:

 - Cutting taxes for middle class --- "level the playing field" for taxes on super wealthy -- "It's about time they take some responsibility"

- Let Bush tax cuts for the wealthy expire (minimum of a million dollars will pay a little more), want to extend Bush's middle class tax cut

- Religion plays a role in decision about abortion:: Personally believes life begins at conception, but refuses to impose it on everyone else. 

Ryan:

- Creating "4 million jobs over the next four years" 

- Medicare coverage for 'the young people' "50 million future seniors determining their own health care..." -- raise retirement age

- 'Fundamental tax reform'   -- Cut tax rates by 20%

- Religion plays a role in decision about abortion: 

        -Not pro-life simply because of his faith, "because of reason and science" "I believe that life begins at conception" 

        - Opposes abortion, except for rape, health of mother, incest 

Quotes:

Biden: "This is a bunch of stuff!" "Let's take a look at the facts." "But I always mean what I say" "Stop talking about how you care about people, show me something" "Folks, use your common sense"

"Not mathematically possible (talking about cutting taxes without reducing programs for middle class - college...) "Fill in the details!"

Ryan: "Let me tell you about the Mitt Romney I know" "Medicare and Social Security are going bankrupt. These are indisputable facts" 

Style:

Biden - Laughing at Ryan. Very confident, passionate. Talked to camera, to the people

Ryan - Stone-faced, vey serious.

Wild Card:

Moderator, Martha Raddatz, was very composed and organized - asked very good follow-up questions.

D2

As Chief of Staff, I have been checking in with each division of the campaign team, and I have been collecting copies of everyone's work for the portfolio. This week, I also organized the mini-event of Richard Potter being endorsed by the Young Liberals club. We collaborated with the print-ad team, and a new ad will be posted around school with pictures of endorsements. Other members of the executive team and I have also been discussing tactics for gaining the most votes, and specific topics that will help us win the electin.

C9

1. From the very beginning, Romney articulated five plans for the nation (if he were to become president): America to become more energy independent, more trade, enhance the skills of the American people, balance the budget, and build up small business. Obama indicated plans to maintain and strengthen the Affordable Care Act, and to refuse to give tax cuts to corporations that send work overseas.

2. Romney said "By the way, I like coal!" This quote emphasizes the difference in liberal and conservative views  on our sources of energy. On the other side of the energy spectrum, in response to Romney noting the $2.8 billion tax break to oil companies, Obama said "It's time to end it."

3. Obama seemed calm, but also more reserved. Romney talked very quickly, used big hand motions, and became easily defensive in his comments. 

4. Obama and Romney went back and forth on the issue of taxation/ tax cuts and health care. Obama seemed very tired, he looked like he had four years of presidency riding on his back. Romney attacked Obama and his policies a lot, Obama seemed reluctant to attack Romney back. The mediator did not do a very good job of keeping the time consistent and the candidates in line. 

C8

As Chief of Staff I mostly checked in with each campaign team, as well as helped create our official party platform. The event team is planning to go into certain classes tomorrow to give an introduction to Richard Potter as the independent candidate running for Senate. The speechwriting team is writing a one to two-minute long speech that will cover the basics of the party platform and introduce the candidate to the student body. The online team has created both a facebook profile and facebook fan page for Richard Potter, along with a twitter page. The video team is creating a film that will introduce the candidate. I also worked with the print ad team to collaborate with CHS clubs that will endorse our candidate for Senate. So far, the Young Liberals club and possibly the Amnesty International club and the Environmental Awareness club will be endorsing Richard Potter.