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By Donelle Blubaugh
Contributor

What are political party platforms and how much impact do they have in actual political decision-making?

During the Republican and Democratic national conventions this summer, you probably heard a lot about the party platforms”  These are actual documents that communicate the key principles of a political party and its core ideologies. Namely, what’s our government for and how should it serve the people?  Recreational reading, they are not. But understanding them can help voters steer through some of the election-season spin. The platforms actually provide some real, concrete insight into how party officials and candidates stand on critical issues – things like the economy, education and foreign affairs and social policies.

How are political platforms created?

Every four years, prior to the party conventions, the national committees for the Democratic and Republican parties (DNC and RNC) choose key party members who meet to contribute, debate and vote on policies stances that become the basis of their parties official platform. Party delegates—citizens selected to represent their states at national conventions—vote to support or amend platform drafts. Eventually, each position is presented as a carefully worded “plank” in a final platform document.

In 1840, the newly formed Democratic Party generated the first national political platform. It contained nine planks and fits onto a single page, a steep contrast to the lengthy documents that each party produced this year. Republicans got into the game in 1856.

It’s also important to keep in mind that the party platforms constantly evolve. So the 2012 Republican platform, for instance, could have some significant ideological differences from the party’s platform in past election years.

How important are the national platforms in an election year?

Today, party platforms are marketing tools as well as political ideologies. They’re used both to rally the troops and convince undecided voters. Speechwriters often mine the platform documents for key talking points that can be included in a candidate’s stump speeches on the campaign trail. Political analysts and journalists dissect every word to decipher each party’s motives.

Are the platforms still important after the election is over?

Party platforms can be used to guide an elected official’s decision-making process, but they aren’t legally binding. If elected officials stray too far from the party line, though, they can risk alienating themselves within their own party or being accused of hypocrisy by the opposing party. That said, elected officials inevitably have to respond to unanticipated events and – ideally – will draw compromises to reduce political gridlock.

In the gloves off sport of politics, opponents often highlight when a candidate deviates from the party platform. For example, the 1988 Republican National Platform had this to say about tax increases: “The Republican Party restates the unequivocal promise we made in 1984: We oppose any attempts to increase taxes.” And when George H. W. Bush accepted his party’s nomination at the Republican Convention, he famously promised, “Read my lips: no new taxes.”

Then reality set it. During the senior Bush’s administration, an economic recession began, the national debt skyrocketed, and taxes were increased, leaving the candidate weakened and vulnerable when he ran for re-election four years later against Democratic challenger Bill Clinton.

In like-minded fashion, this year Mitt Romney’s presidential campaign is taking a shot (among many) at President Obama for his failed promise to close the detention camp in Guantánamo Bay, one of the planks that appear in both the 2008 and 2012 Democratic platforms.

Do other political parties have platforms?

They do. The Green Party, The Tea Party Movement and the Libertarian Party all have platforms, as do all the parties represented on the national ballot this year.Actually, if you so desired, you could actually write your own political platform, one that reflects your personal take on the major issues. For real. You could circulate it among people who have similar perspectives, invite their input, publish the official My Party Platform and start your own little third-party political movement. There’s always 2016!

There once was a time not so very long ago when people actually functioned without television (gasp). And then, just like that, it arrived … and spread like wildfire.

In 1948 less than one percent of American homes had TVs. By 1954 – a mere six years later -  more than half of all American’s had a boob-tube in the house. By 1958, that rate had soared to over 80 percent,  and today hovers at about 97 percent.

That’s according to University of Wisconsin Journalism Professor James L. Baughman, who documents the rapid rise of TV in American life. “No other household technology,” he writes, “not the telephone or indoor plumbing, had ever spread so rapidly into so many homes.”

It didn’t take political campaigns long to catch on to the enormous power this new technology offered; the green light to instantly infiltrate the living rooms of millions of Americans, more directly, personally, and visually than ever before. (Franklin D. Roosevelt was actually the first U.S. president to appear on TV – in 1939 as part of a World’s Fair exhibition in New York – a broadcast that reached a handful of TV sets in the vicinity).

The very first TV campaign ads were launched in the 1952 presidential race. Leading the charge was Republican candidate Dwight D. Eisenhower (and his running mate Richard Nixon). The campaign spent roughly $1.5 million on ads, twice that of Democratic opponent Adlai Stevenson. The first series of spot ads, called “Eisenhower Answers America,” featured a seemingly average citizen asking a laughably scripted and leading question, to which Eisenhower frankly responded, staring directly into the camera, utterly devoid of emotion or charisma. The campaign soon followed up with the now legendary “I Like Ike” animation, as well as a newsreel style clip. The ads helped Eisenhower trounce his opponent. He became the first Republican to take the White House in 20 years.

The Living Room Candidate, a project of the Museum of the Moving Image, is an impressively thorough and well curated repository of presidential campaign ads in every election since 1952. Here are 10 of the heaviest hitters (note the wide variations between negative/fear-inducing and euphorically positive):

Dwight D. Eisenhower’s “I Like Ike” (1952)

In a recent article about the birth of political consulting firms, New Yorker reporter Jill Lepore wrote: “Eisenhower was so unfamiliar with recording equipment that once, in front of a microphone, which was on, he grumbled, “How the hell does this thing work?” But, like everyone running for office after him, he was coached, and groomed, and buffed, and polished. And made up.”

Eisenhower won with 83 percent of the electoral vote

John F. Kennedy’s “Kennedy For Me” (1960)

At 43, John F. Kennedy was to become the youngest elected candidate in U.S. history. Attacked by his opponent Richard Nixon as inexperienced, this jingle ad helped turn Kennedy’s youth into an asset, someone who is “old enough to know and young enough to do.”

Kennedy won with 56 percent of the electoral vote.

Lyndon B. Johnson’s “Daisy Girl” (1964)

Part of Lyndon B. Johnson’s 1964 re-election bid, this became among the most famous campaign commercials of all time. It ran only once as a paid advertisement – during an NBC broadcast of Monday Night at the Movies on September 7, 1964 – but was enough to scare the pants out of the electorate and help paint his Republican opponent, Barry Goldwater,  as a dangerous right-wing extremist.

Johnson won with 90 percent of the electoral vote.

Hubert H. Humphrey’s “Laughter” (1968)

Even though Democrat Hubert H. Humphrey ended up losing the election to Richard Nixon, this ad still packed a punch in its attempt to portray Spiro Agnew, Nixon’s relatively unknown running mate, as a political neophyte, so inexperienced as to be, well, laughable. The ad was created by Tony Schwartz, who also made Johnson’s “Daisy” ad.

Nixon won with 56 percent of the electoral vote.

Richard Nixon’s “McGovern Defense” (1972)

In a re-election bid against Democratic challenger George McGovern, Richard Nixon’s campaign  very effectively emphasized the notion that Republicans represent military strength and the concern that a Democratic commander-in-chief would severely cut defense spending and place America in a dangerously vulnerable position. At this point, the U.S. was still enmeshed in the Vietnam War, and defense remained a pivotal issue.

Nixon won with 97 percent of the electoral vote.

Ronald Reagan’s “Morning In America”

This is part of a series of ads collectively known as “Morning in America” that use idyllic scenes of productivity and suburban life to suggest that President Reagan had successfully restored American optimism and revived the economy from the prolonged period of high inflation and unemployment that persisted under his Democratic predecessor Jimmy Carter. The ads helped Reagan defeat his Democratic opponent Walter Mondale in a landslide.

Reagan won with 98 percent of the electoral vote.

George H.W. Bush’s “Revolving Door”

This crushing ad attacked a program that Democratic challenger Michael Dukakis had supported as governor of Massachusetts allowing prisoners to be released on weekend furloughs. The ad capitalized on the case of Willie Horton, one of the program’s participants, who ended up committing murder and rape while on furlough. The black-and-white ad successfully cast doubt on Dukakis’ ability to govern, striking a major blow to his campaign.

Bush won with 80 percent of the electoral vote.

Bill Clinton’s “Man From Hope” (1992)

An edited down version of a much longer biographical film shown at the 1992 Democratic Convention, it’s widely considered among the most compelling biographical ads ever made. Emphasizing Clinton’s small town roots it conveys the candidate’s strong work ethic, wisdom and sense of humanity.

Clinton defeated Republican incumbent George H.W. Bush with 69 percent of the electoral vote.

George W. Bush’s “Windsurfing” (2004)

The most effective and memorable ad of the 2004 election, it successfully drove home the argument consistently used by the Bush campaign that his Democratic opponent John Kerry was a “flip-flopper” who followed the political winds.

Bush won with 53 percent of the electoral vote.

Barack Obama’s “Yes We Can” Web Ad

Among the most unconventional campaign ads to date, it was only available on the web and produced by Will.i.am of The Black Eyed Peas and Jesse Dylan, Bob Dylan’s filmmaker son (as opposed to professional campaign consultants). The ad put music to Obama’s New Hampshire Primary concession speech (after he lost the state to Hilary Clinton). It features a succession of over 30 celebrity performers singing his words. First posted on YouTube, the video quickly went viral, with over 26 million views in just a few days. It lead to an online fundraising boom and a new wave of momentum for Obama’s campaign.

Obama beat Republican John McCain with 68 percent of the electoral vote.

What’s the electoral college, who are delegates, and why in the heck do we vote on Tuesday?

National elections, especially presidential ones, offer great teaching moments. But explaining the basic mechanics of America’s ever confusing electoral system can be daunting, especially for students who lack a basic understanding of the process.

Fortunately, there are a ton of great free digital resources out there to help your students demystify the process, using pretty engaging and creative formats. Of course, finding them entails the equally daunting task of spending hours online in search of the best unbiased content out there.

So, with that in mind, rather than adding to the cyber-pile, I’ve compiled a list of six excellent sites that do a good job in driving home basic election concepts, and, hopefully, encouraging your students to think critically about the process (rather than just learning about it as a given). This is by no means a comprehensive list (a good longer list can be found at the National Writing Project’s site), so if you have additional suggestions, please share in the comment box below.

1. Scholastic election guide

An excellent one-stop-shop comprehensive resource on the electoral system and the presidential race, including an interactive glossary of election terms, timelines, videos on the electoral college (and if it should be abolished), interactive games about the process, and candidate backgrounders.

2. New York Times Learning Network Lessons

A great list of lesson plans and ideas – with Common Core State Standards alignment -

for using the New York Times’ exceptional multimedia and print election-related. Lessons delve i

nto a wide range of details, from super PACs to stump speeches. The site also offers a good consoli

dated list of 10 ways to teach about election day. Additionally, there a lots of links and references to the multimedia election content on the main New York Times site, which is a pretty exceptional teaching resource in and of itself.

3. PBS LearningMedia Election Resources

PBS LearningMedia aggregates a huge (and growing) volume of multimedia content produced by PBS stations around the country. There is a wealth of election-related resources, including videos, interactive maps, and standards-aligned lesson plans on election processes and current races. You can search for specific content by grade level, subject and media type. It also includes excellent multimedia election content produced by the PBS Newshour team, including a series of interactive maps, highlighting state and national data that students can experiment with and manipulate.

4. iCivics Interactive Games

Pretty neat – especially for students who need the full interactive experience. This is  a project started up by former Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Conner. It’s packed with interactive games simulating election races and navigating the electoral process. Students can participate in a mock presidential election, in which they face all kind of real-life decisions and challenges, like polling, media campaigns, and raising campaign funds. There are also a number of election lesson plans.

5. C-SPAN’s Election Library 

A great collection of videos and other multimedia election resources exploring the current races as well as looking at the evolution of America’s electoral system in an historical context. C-SPAN also offers a site that’s specifically for educators, with a series of election-related content, but I actually think the original footage and primary source material they provide in their general audience election site is the most useful for students.

6. 270 To Win: An awesome map site

This is a site I just randomly stumbled upon the other day. It offers amazing interactive mapping resources, in which students can play around with delegate count possibilities, explore past election breakdowns, examine state voting trends, and watch various election-outcome simulations. Cool stuff!

So … Why do we vote on Tuesday???

Oh right – as promised: This video sheds light (very entertainingly) on America’s outdated voting tradition (and the many political leaders who don’t have the slightest clue how it all came to be):

Flickr/Liz the Librarian

American youth under 18 years old live under the same laws as adults. They pay sales taxes (every time they buy something). And some can even work jobs and get drivers licenses.

But … they can’t vote.

And that’s just not fair, say a growing number of student rights groups across the country that are lobbying to have the voting age lowered to at least 16.

“Young people participate in this society in many other ways,” Alex Korokney-Palicz, president of the National Youth Rights Association told Fox News. “They pay taxes, they follow our laws, they can be charged as adults for crimes. They have so much reason to vote, and It’s simply unjust to deny them.”

Being able to vote, he added, would add real meaning and relevance to high school social studies and civics classes,  which most students take before they turn 18.

But, say opponents, too many youth simply lack the necessary level of maturity and complexity to make informed decisions at the voting booth.

“I think it’s a dumb idea,” said Curtis Gans, director of the Committee for the Study of the American Electorate. “The voting age was set at 18 because that’s the age at which people could be drafted and die for their country. They (youth under 18) don’t have enough life experience or history and don’t know the issues in enough detail.”

Throughout the course of American history, the right to vote has gradually grown more inclusive, almost always the result of hard-fought political battles waged by disenfranchised populations who have demanded representation in the political process.  Remember, when the Constitution was first drafted in 1789, the right to vote in most states was reserved for white male property owners 21 and up.

By the mid-Nineteenth Century, property requirements were dropped. Over the next two decades, voting were granted to black men, and shortly thereafter, to all naturalized male citizens over 21. It was more than 50 years later – in 1920 – that women were granted universal suffrage after the ratification of the 19th Amendment.

But it wasn’t until 1971 that the voting age in America was finally lowered from 21 to 18. The 26th Amendment, which prohibited states from setting the voting age higher than 18, was ratified largely as a result of heated student activism in opposition to the Vietnam War, and the compelling notion that if 18-year-olds were old enough to be drafted into the army and sent to war, they should also be old enough to vote.

Section one of the amendment states: “The right of citizens of the United States, who are eighteen years of age or older, to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of age.”

So, will voting rights be extended to teens younger than 18? It remains to be seen. But if history is any guide, the possibility could certainly be within reach if enough young people demand it.

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