Adult Ed Class of the Week
The Modern American Presidency on the Campaign Trail
When: Saturday, May 24, 9 a.m.-1 p.m.
Where: Tannahill Auditorium, Schott Center, 310 W Padre St.
Cost: Free
The Lowdown: Whether you’re an active politico, a concerned citizen, or just enjoy a good horse race, chances are the 2008 presidential campaign has been getting a fair amount of your attention lately. As we approach the conventions this summer and the election in November, things are bound to heat up even more. But the election of a president (and the people who will represent us in congress) is about more than just the candidate and issues; it’s about strategies and choices and changes that have been at the heart of American political life for more than 200 years. How does this year’s race compare to others in the modern era (1900-2004)? To what extent is the way the candidates are conducting their campaigns today different from in the past, and to what extent are things the same?
Get the historical context this Saturday, May 24, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. in a special class at the Schott Center, “The Modern American Presidency on the Campaign Trail.” David S. Rader will compare and contrast the present campaigns with campaigns in the past. What was promised, and what was actually delivered? What demands does the American public make on candidates, and what demands should they make? What can really be accomplished once a president takes office?
Rader, who teaches the American President Series through UC Santa Cruz and Cal State East Bay, will also discuss the candidates, the campaign issues, they way to win, the making of the president, the electoral college, third parties, debates, consultants, and the role of the media.
