Name: _______________________________ Date: ________________
Dennis/Patten
What Does It Take to Be President?
Brainstorm: What are the characteristics you believe a President should
possess?
Visit the website:
http://2008election.procon.org/view.resource.php?resourceID=1566
Read each of the 8 steps necessary for becoming President of the United
States and answer the accompanying questions completely.
1. Meet Eligibility Guidelines Set by the U.S. Constitution
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What are the eligibility guidelines one must follow to be President?
2. Test the Water: Pre-Candidacy Process
- What are the steps involved in the pre-candidacy process?
3. Declare Candidacy and File Applications with Federal Election Commission
- What is the purpose of the Federal Election Commission?
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When must a Statement of Candidacy be filed?
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Why is fundraising such a major component of a campaign?
4. Fundraise and Campaign
- What do candidates typically do on the campaign trail?
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What must candidates do in order to fundraise and campaign?
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How long does a campaign typically last?
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Why is it so expensive to run for President today? Explain.
5. Party Primaries, Caucuses and Delegates
- Why did the primary election develop in the early 20th Century?
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What are the two main types of primaries?
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What are the two types of state primaries? Why are they significant?
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What is the purpose of Caucuses? Explain.
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Delegates
o What are the two types of Democratic delegates? Explain the
difference between the two.
o What types of Republican delegates are there? Explain the
difference between the two.
Third Parties (Describe each of the third parties)
- The Constitution Party
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Green Party
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Libertarian Party
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Reform Party
6. Party Conventions
- Why are party conventions significant? Explain.
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What are the two significant changes that the party conventions have
undergone? Explain.
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How are the major party conventions funded?
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How much do they receive?
7. General Election Campaign
- What are the three campaigns that today’s candidates typically wage
at the same time? Explain with details.