Second Essay Assignment

Pick one:

• Pick any Super PAC that was active in the 2012 cycle.  (You may find a list here.)   Follow the money.  In what kinds of races did the super PAC participate? Who were the major donors to the PAC?  Why did they give? Be especially alert to organizations that provided money:  where did they get their money?
• Analyze how House of Cards depicts party organization, party in government, and partisan outside groups.  Explain how this depiction both resembles and departs from real life.  Why do you think the makers of the series present parties this way?
• Pick any potential 2016 presidential candidate -- other than Hillary Clinton. (You may find a list here.) Explain that person's advantages and disadvantages in seeking the party nomination.  In your answer, do not rely exclusively on current news stories.  Instead, draw on data on public opinion and campaign finance, as well as the history of recent nomination contests.  Under what circumstances would this person be a real contender?
• You may write on another topic of your choosing, subject to my approval. 

The specifications:

• Essays should be typed (12-point), double-spaced, and no more than four pages long. I will not read past the fourth page. 
• Cite your sources. Please use endnotes in the format of Chicago Manual of Style. Endnotes do not count against the page limit. Please do not use footnotes, which take up too much page space. 
• Watch your spelling, grammar, diction, and punctuation. Errors will count against you. Return essays to the Sakai dropbox for this class by 5 PM, Friday, March 7. Papers will drop one gradepoint for one day’s lateness, a full letter grade after that.