The Road To The Presidency

Presidential elections can seem both exciting and confusing! In fact, the whole process starts long before the actual election takes place. Although the job of President may appear "glamorous" or "easy", it is a position of incredible responsibility. Thomas Jefferson, our country's third president, described the job as "a splendid misery". Yet, despite that description, many Americans declare themselves as candidates pursuing the highest office in the land! This journey will explore what is takes to become President of the United States.

The Task:

• Research the constitutional requirements needed to run for President.
• Create a list of leadership qualities and prior job experiences that past Presidents have had using several presidential databases.
• Read and record information on the role of political parties and steps in the election process.
• Analyze what powers and limitations the President has, and view the daily schedule of a past President.
• As you are guided through each step of this process, your research will help to create a PowerPoint presentation on the "road to the presidency!"

The Process:

At the computer:

1. Visit the "Presidential Exploration" website to research the constitutional requirements necessary to become President. Write down the requirements in order to make the first slide in your PowerPoint presentation.

2. Decide what other qualities the President should have to be an effective leader. Explore the PBS American President site for examples of presidential success and failure. Click on any of the episode pictures to see groupings of Presidents. Make a list of qualities you feel are important to include in your second PowerPoint slide.

3. Now that you have researched the requirements and leadership qualities needed to be President, political parties are another important part of this process. Click on the "parties" link and read about "Federalists", "Democratic-Republicans", "Whigs", "Democrats", and "Republicans". Note when each of these parties came about, and interesting facts. Your notes here will help you create your third PowerPoint slide.

4. Experience counts! The public expects the President to have certain types of job experience proir to running for this office. Explore the American President website to find out what jobs / experience our former Presidents have had. Take notes and use this information in PowerPoint slide four.

5. Still want to be President? Just what is the job of the President? Visit "Powers & Limitations" of the President and "6 months in the life of Harry S. Truman" to research some of the responsibilities of this job. Describe the responsibilities and meetings associated with being President in your fifth PowerPoint slide.

6. Take a trip on the "road to the presidency!" How do you get nominated and eventually elected? Explore the election process, review electoral voting, and look at where all of the political conventions have been held! Is your city listed? If so how many times? Explain the election steps in PowerPoint slide six. (Hint: A flowchart could be a great way to organize this information!)

7. Election 2000! Now explore the Republican and Democratic candidates currently running for President. Make notes and use them to create your last PowerPoint slide.

Resources:

• Constitutional requirements
• PBS American President
• Job experience and the American President
• Powers & limitations of the presidency
• Six months in the life of Harry S. Truman
• Election process
• Electoral voting
• Political conventions list

Additional Teaching Resources to support this webquest: