1. Evaluate the Candidates
How do you decide who to vote for?

2. 1. Experience

3. Why do you think there are common occupations among presidents?
How might these occupations provide important experience to prepare someone to be the leader of the country?
knowledge of the law
previous experience in political office
experience in the military

4. 2. Platform: “issue based platform” or “political platform”.
Why would you want to consider a candidate’s views on issues? (Like Education, the budget, crime, taxes, jobs and so on)
How would you find out information about their stance on issues?
You could visit: candidate websites, political party websites, newspapers, television, news websites or political blogs
Example:

5. 3. “Debates” Why are debates so important in evaluating candidates?
What do the debates show?
You learn how a candidate presents themselves .
How they prepare.
You can compare candidates side by side.
You can learn what they think about issues.
You see a candidate's personality and character.
You see an unscripted moment….”on the fly”
You see the energy level of the candidate.
PBS Clip – Start at 0:45 and end at about 3:00 after the Kennedy/Nixon debate. Teacher note: This video was made in preparation for the 2008 debates. In this clip the 2008 debate locations are mentioned.

6. 4. “Political Ads” In 2012, $896 million was spent on political ads.
Why do you think so much money is spent on these advertisements?
Liberty Park/Hope Campaign 80 (Reagan, Republican, 1980)
Next Century (Clinton, Democrat, 1996)
Hopeful (Bush, Republican, 2000)
Determination (Obama, Democrat, 2012)
Political ads might show:
Patriotism
Family Man
Hero
Support for the regular folk in the US
Great leader And more!