12th Semi – Annual
Pirate’s Presidential Campaign
Handbook Fall 2015
Presented by:
Mr. Patten & Ms. Dennis
Description of Campaign Personnel
When forming your campaign team, the following roles must be filled. It is
suggested that you form groups of 5, to fulfill each role. However, if you have a
smaller group, all roles must still be completed. When forming groups or
selecting roles, choose wisely!
The President:
President is one of the “faces” of the campaign. The President is responsible for
speaking at the Kick Off Rally, participating in the Town Hall Debate and in the Issues Debates along with the
Secretaries. The President should also be featured in your commercial and on your campaign posters. In
addition, the President is also responsible for having a working knowledge of the three major issues in the
campaign: The Economy, Education and Foreign Policy.
Events: Kick Off Rally, Presidential Speech, Town Hall Debate
The Vice President:
The Vice President is one the other “face” of the campaign. The Vice President is
responsible for speaking during the Issues Speech and participating in the Town Hall Debate. The Vice
President should also be featured in your commercial and on your campaign posters. In addition, the Vice
President is also responsible for having a working knowledge of the three major issues in the campaign: The
Economy, Education and Foreign Policy.
Events: Kick Off Rally, Vice President Speech, Town Hall Debate
The Secretary of Education:
The Secretary of Education should be the leader in knowledge
pertaining to education in America. The Secretary of Education will be responsible for assisting the President
and Vice President in their designing of an education reform plan for the United States. The Secretary of
Education will also participate in a debate on Education.
Events: Kick Off Rally, Education Debate
The Secretary of State:
The Secretary of State should be the leader in knowledge pertaining to
America’s Foreign Policy. The Secretary of State will be responsible for assisting the President and Vice
President in their designing of America’s Foreign Policy pertaining to the situation in Russia/Ukraine, ISIS
and the War in Afghanistan. The Secretary of State will also have the opportunity to participate in a debate on
Foreign Policy.
Events: Kick Off Rally, Foreign Policy Debate
The Secretary of Treasury:
The Secretary of Treasury should be the leader in knowledge
pertaining to America’s economic state. The Secretary of the Treasury will be responsible for assisting the
President and Vice President in their designing of an economic reform plan for the United States. The goal of
the reform plan should be to decrease America’s debt and get American’s back to work. The Secretary of the
Treasury will also participate in a debate on the state of our nation’s economy.
Events: Kick Off Rally, Economy Debate
* In addition, each team will be required to promote their campaign team to the other PIG classes.
Promotion will be done by the entire group and may include: a team Twitter page, a team website,
sharing of video of speeches, posters, etc.
Once you have selected your roles, it is time to start planning your Presidential Campaign. Over the next 10
weeks, you will make decisions based on your assigned campaign role and with the intent of promoting your
team and ultimately winning the Presidency.
All assignments must be completed by the due dates included in this packet. The entire group must work
together to complete all assigned tasks. This is a group project. If all members of the group contribute, there
should not be any problems. Communication is essential. Make sure you communicate as a group and with
Mr. Patten and Ms. Dennis.
At the end of the Presidential Campaign, each of The Pirate’s Participation in Government classes will view all
of the candidates from the other three periods and vote on who they believe is the best presidential candidate.
Voting will be conducted by secret ballot. Remember this is not a popularity contest, but an election to see
who is best qualified to be the President of ALL the Participation in Government classes.
Important Information:
The Issues: While America faces many problems today, we will focus on 3 major issues during the
Presidential Campaign. Each member of your team should have a working knowledge of the issues listed
below.
1. The state of American Education (Improving performance, college affordability, evaluations)
2. The state of America’s Economy (Debt, Unemployment)
3. American Foreign Policy (ISIS and the War in Afghanistan)
For each of these issues you must be able to:
- Identify and explain the problem
- Identify and describe the actions taken by the Obama Administration to combat the issues
- Your plan – how will you solve each of these problems
Endorsements: In order to gain the trust of the voters, you need the backing of endorsers. You may ask
teachers, peers, family members, etc. to appear in your commercials. Remember once someone endorses
you, they cannot endorse someone else. Try for a real celebrity endorsement as well. You never know ☺
*Mr. Patten and Ms. Dennis CANNOT endorse candidates.
* Meetings with Mr. Harrington – for the past 8 years, Mr. Harrington has spent time with each campaign
team discussing policies and he has endorsed 2 candidates during that time. Schedule your appointments
with him by visiting his office.
Promotion to the Other Classes – During the first round of voting, you will NOT be able to vote for who
advances to the Final 3 from your class. The other PIG classes will be voting for your class. Therefore it is
important for you to promote your team and ideas to the other classes. There are multiple ways to do this:
1. The Commercial – Each team will create a campaign advertisement
2. Video your speeches, debates and post on your team’s website for the other classes to see
3. Posters for Mr. Patten’s room and Ms. Dennis’ room
4. Utilize your campaign team’s website – post information about your views on the issues
5. Social media – organize a campaign twitter
6. Classroom visits - Send the candidates to shake hands with the voters outside the Presidential
district. YOU MUST HAVE A FREE PERIOD. In order to acquire a class visit pass, the student
requesting the pass must show his or her schedule to the classroom teacher issuing the pass.
Cutting class or going late to class to conduct a campaign visit will be considered unethical and
will result in a loss of points, campaign funds and will be reported to the media.
7. Speech to another Class: Send in the candidate or a member of the team to participate in another
class’ speeches, debate or other campaign event. These visits must be conducted during a period
when an event is scheduled. The guest will be added to the program at the discretion of the
classroom teacher. If for some reason the guest is unable to speak, the classroom teacher will
make alternate arrangements.
8. Campaign Visits: (inside): Come inside and meet the electorate in another district. This is an
informal visit giving the visitor the opportunity to spread the word about his or her candidate’s
opinions on the issues and to explain why his or her candidate is the best choice.
9. Campaign Visits: (outside): Stand outside a P.I.G. classroom and handout campaign literature to
voters as they exit the room.
Major Events
The Kick Off Rally – October 27th
 The Kick-Off Rally takes on the look and feel-good atmosphere of a political convention.
 The Kick-Off Rally provides each team with the opportunity to introduce each member, your slogan,
and identify why you should be elected.
 Candidates and their teams should be dressed professionally and prepared
 Presidential Candidates will have the opportunity to make a brief statement after introducing the
members of their campaign team.
 This is an opportunity to see who is running for President.
Presidential Speech – December 1st
 The speech is required to be at least FIVE minutes.
The speech should be typed and presented in a
professional manner. A copy must be turned in to your teacher. Upload your speech to your team’s website.
 Your speech should include: background information about yourself, an explanation of the problems you
see in America in the areas of Education, Economy and Foreign Policy and why you should be President.
 Candidates should be prepared and dressed professionally.
 Campaign posters should be displayed. You should have at least one poster for Mr. Patten’s room and one
for Ms. Dennis’ room.
Vice Presidential Speech – December 3rd
 The speech is required to be at least FIVE minutes.
The speech should be typed and presented in a
professional manner. A copy must be turned in to your teacher. Upload your speech to your team’s website.
 Your speech should include: background information about yourself.
 You must select one leader from U.S. History and explain how that leader will influence the policies you
will implement as Vice President.
 You must explain how their Presidency/policy will impact your time in office. Include specific examples of
actions taken by that leader and how they relate to issues our nation is facing today.
 Candidates should be prepared and dressed professionally.
 Campaign posters should be displayed. You should have at least one poster for Mr. Patten’s room and one
for Ms. Dennis’ room.
Campaign Commercial – December 14th
 Your team must decide what 3 styles of campaign advertising will be used in your commercial
 Each campaign team is required to have a minimum of 1 commercial that is a maximum of 2 minutes in
length.
 The commercial should include information highlighting why the candidate should be elected. Address
problems the candidate will fix and how America will benefit when they are elected.
 The commercials should also include your endorsements.
 Commercials should be uploaded to YouTube and linked to your campaign team’s website by 9pm on
Sunday December 13th in order to be shown by 1st period on the 14th.
 Late videos will result in a lowering of your grade. Make sure you utilize allotted class time to avoid
problems.
 Be creative and have fun with the commercials as ALL of the classes will be viewing your work.
Education Debate – December 21st
 This event is a chance for the Secretary of Education from each team to display their knowledge about the
issues plaguing American education today.
 Questions and guidelines will be provided as we get closer to the date.
 Candidates should be prepared and dressed professionally.
 Video and information should be posted on your campaign team’s website.
Foreign Policy Debate – December 22nd
 This event is a chance for the Secretary of the Treasury from each team to display their knowledge about
the issues plaguing our economy today.
 Questions and guidelines will be provided as we get closer to the date.
 Candidates should be prepared and dressed professionally.
 Video and information should be posted on your campaign team’s website.
Secretary of State Debate – December 23rd
 This event is a chance for the Secretary of State from each team to display their knowledge about America’s
foreign policy issues.
 Questions and guidelines will be provided as we get closer to the date.
 Candidates should be prepared and dressed professionally.
 Video and information should be posted on your campaign team’s website.
Town Hall Debate – January 8th
 The purpose of this event is to allow the citizens to have the opportunity to interact with the candidates.
 Candidates should be prepared and dressed professionally.
 Both the Presidential and Vice Presidential Candidate will be put in the “hot seat” for 5 minutes. During
the 5 minutes, the citizens of the United States will be able to ask them questions about the three issues:
Education, Economy and Healthcare. Information should be highlighted on the campaign website. Address
issue, stance and solution.
 This is the most important event of the campaign; a poor performance can spell disaster and a strong
performance can provide a springboard to victory.
Final 3 Debate – January 14th Time TBA
 All PIG classes will be present as the final 3 Presidential candidates and their Vice Presidents take the
stage to answer a series of questions posed by Mr. Patten and Ms. Dennis.