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| Potential Presidential candidate Carolyn Keyes and her campaign manager, Kevin Dolan. |
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| Potential Presidential candidate Molly Kepner and her campaign manager, Alex Roman. |
In chapel on Monday, the Law and Government class announced they are conducting a student organized presidential election that will be headed by campaigns that reach out to the entire ASP student body.
They aim to provide an opportunity to experience the politics behind campaigns and engage students in contemporary campaigning, which involves the use of social media. "I really wanted to take the idea and run with it," said Cooper Waterman, intern of the Law and Government Class. Born out of a desire to incorporate more government based activity in class, this presidential election splits the class into two political factions that nominate a candidate to run for president. As Waterman describes, the candidates have been given mandatory policy planks. These consist of four positions: big government vs. small government, pro-choice vs. pro-life, death sentence vs. con sentence, and finally universal health care vs. privatization. The students will have to fill in the spaces in between. It is difficult to predict how partisan developments will take effect, as "we are purposefully not having the two candidates represent a major political party" says John Phillips, head teacher. Ultimately, Phillips hopes that the students will create their own party with a unique platform.
The focus of the project is primarily on the campaign process. It is uncertain whether the class, through their campaigns, will deliberately reach out to the ASP student body, or whether they will simply generate only the amount of publicity required to win the election. “I think we might see a bit of both,” said Phillips, “it is best to watch this develop.” One aspect that’s certain is the methods these campaigns implement. Both campaigns will develop through social media: Facebook, Twitter, as well as traditional forms of media: radio, television. As Phillips suggests, there is huge potential for campaigns through social media. President Obama certainly found much success with his identity on Facebook and twitter. Hopefully the candidates will do the same. Collaboration between the Law and Government and the Mass Media classes will allow candidates to get the most out of social media. It will also be crucial to see how the class takes advantage of polling. “Polling really tells you what the public wants,” said Waterman. As Phillips also explained, “just like any candidate, what you’re going to do with that information is crucial.”
There are currently rumors, confirmed by sources within the Law and Government class, that both Carolyn Keyes and Molly Kepner have created exploratory committees to run for president. We are expecting both candidates to make official announcements later this week. You can like "Carolyn Keyes for ASP President," and "Molly Kepner for ASP President 2011" on Facebook. The candidates have also released twitter handles: @carolynkeyesasp and @mkforaspprez.
The unofficial candidates were reluctant to share much information about their undeveloped campaigns. "We're exploring what the opportunity is for running, and if I'm capable to do it," says Carolyn Keyes. She mentioned her leadership experience, which includes acting as Class President for Bow High, as well as her involvement with the National Honor Society State Board. Although unwilling to reveal her political affiliations, she did mention leaning to the left in economics, as well as supporting big government and promising no tax raises. Keyes wants to express her concern for questions, and announced that her campaign headquarters is located on the third floor of Armor. Her campaign manager Kevin Dolan will gladly answer any inquiries.
Molly Kepner, joined by Press director Alex Roman, is geared up to explore her candidacy. Kepner states her intentions as president "to bring us together as a community. I really feel like that's one of the biggest things we're gonna take out of ASP." Kepner is caught up with this sense of community and expressed her hope to hold class reunions every five or ten years. She chose not to comment on political views; however, Kepner mentioned that she loves to be both a leader, and a voice. She ultimately can speak for everyone, and bring the community together as a whole. Roman believes their campaign group is "like a well-oiled machine." Like Keyes, they have reached out to the social media to broaden their campaign potential. Willing to answer any questions, the campaign headquarters of Kepner is located in the 1st floor of Brewster.
The official announcement of candidacy will be made later in the week. As campaigns start heating up, the Mass Media class will be hosting radio shows with candidates, as well as providing continuing coverage. In looking towards the future, the sense of reoccurrence is vivid in the minds of the Law and Government class. “In some way, this is sort of a snapshot of the current trend in politics,” says Phillips. The election could yield valuable insight for presidential elections to come. At the very least, it should be engaging for the entire ASP community.
They aim to provide an opportunity to experience the politics behind campaigns and engage students in contemporary campaigning, which involves the use of social media. "I really wanted to take the idea and run with it," said Cooper Waterman, intern of the Law and Government Class. Born out of a desire to incorporate more government based activity in class, this presidential election splits the class into two political factions that nominate a candidate to run for president. As Waterman describes, the candidates have been given mandatory policy planks. These consist of four positions: big government vs. small government, pro-choice vs. pro-life, death sentence vs. con sentence, and finally universal health care vs. privatization. The students will have to fill in the spaces in between. It is difficult to predict how partisan developments will take effect, as "we are purposefully not having the two candidates represent a major political party" says John Phillips, head teacher. Ultimately, Phillips hopes that the students will create their own party with a unique platform.
The focus of the project is primarily on the campaign process. It is uncertain whether the class, through their campaigns, will deliberately reach out to the ASP student body, or whether they will simply generate only the amount of publicity required to win the election. “I think we might see a bit of both,” said Phillips, “it is best to watch this develop.” One aspect that’s certain is the methods these campaigns implement. Both campaigns will develop through social media: Facebook, Twitter, as well as traditional forms of media: radio, television. As Phillips suggests, there is huge potential for campaigns through social media. President Obama certainly found much success with his identity on Facebook and twitter. Hopefully the candidates will do the same. Collaboration between the Law and Government and the Mass Media classes will allow candidates to get the most out of social media. It will also be crucial to see how the class takes advantage of polling. “Polling really tells you what the public wants,” said Waterman. As Phillips also explained, “just like any candidate, what you’re going to do with that information is crucial.”
There are currently rumors, confirmed by sources within the Law and Government class, that both Carolyn Keyes and Molly Kepner have created exploratory committees to run for president. We are expecting both candidates to make official announcements later this week. You can like "Carolyn Keyes for ASP President," and "Molly Kepner for ASP President 2011" on Facebook. The candidates have also released twitter handles: @carolynkeyesasp and @mkforaspprez.
The unofficial candidates were reluctant to share much information about their undeveloped campaigns. "We're exploring what the opportunity is for running, and if I'm capable to do it," says Carolyn Keyes. She mentioned her leadership experience, which includes acting as Class President for Bow High, as well as her involvement with the National Honor Society State Board. Although unwilling to reveal her political affiliations, she did mention leaning to the left in economics, as well as supporting big government and promising no tax raises. Keyes wants to express her concern for questions, and announced that her campaign headquarters is located on the third floor of Armor. Her campaign manager Kevin Dolan will gladly answer any inquiries.
Molly Kepner, joined by Press director Alex Roman, is geared up to explore her candidacy. Kepner states her intentions as president "to bring us together as a community. I really feel like that's one of the biggest things we're gonna take out of ASP." Kepner is caught up with this sense of community and expressed her hope to hold class reunions every five or ten years. She chose not to comment on political views; however, Kepner mentioned that she loves to be both a leader, and a voice. She ultimately can speak for everyone, and bring the community together as a whole. Roman believes their campaign group is "like a well-oiled machine." Like Keyes, they have reached out to the social media to broaden their campaign potential. Willing to answer any questions, the campaign headquarters of Kepner is located in the 1st floor of Brewster.
The official announcement of candidacy will be made later in the week. As campaigns start heating up, the Mass Media class will be hosting radio shows with candidates, as well as providing continuing coverage. In looking towards the future, the sense of reoccurrence is vivid in the minds of the Law and Government class. “In some way, this is sort of a snapshot of the current trend in politics,” says Phillips. The election could yield valuable insight for presidential elections to come. At the very least, it should be engaging for the entire ASP community.
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