Alan believes that an important role of a political party is to educate political novices so they can become the next generation of involved citizens, campaign workers, and political candidates. The following questions are offered to stimulate a discussion which will be led by Darryl Carter, a retired teacher from Edison High School in NE Minneapolis. Remember, the DFLers and Republicans know this stuff cold. We Reformers have to pay attention to it just to keep in the game. This may sound strange but Alan thinks that following politics and public affairs can be as stimulating as following sports or entertainment news!
1. The President of the US is elected for how many years at a time? Is there a term limit? How can you tell if a given year is a Presidential election year?
2. Who are Minnesota's two US Senators? How long is the term of office of a US Senator? Who is our "senior" Senator?
3. Here is a map of Minnesota showing the boundaries of Minnesota's eight Congressional Districts. In the list below, give the letter corresponding to the district, the District's Congressperson, and the Congressperson's political party. For extra credit, give the year of first election!
1st CD
2nd CD
3rd CD
4th CD
5th CD
6th CD
7th CD
8th CD
4. Give the name or names of:
a. the ranking Transportation and Infrastructure member (esp. influential with airlines)?
b. the ranking Appropriations Committee member (esp. influential in budgetary matters)?
c. two who are "blue dog" Democrats?
d. What is a "blue dog" Democrat? What is a "yellow dog" Democrat?
5. a. Has Minnesota ever had a woman Senator? If so, who?
b. Name two women who have run for the US Senate from Minnesota? Their parties?
6. a. Has Minnesota ever had a woman Congressperson?
b. If so, what was her name? Her major accomplishment? a major reason she was not reelected?
7. a. How many counties are there in Minnesota?
b. What's Minnesota's population? What are the five largest cities, ranked in order of size?
8. How many State House Districts are there? How many State Senate Districts?
9. How long is a State Representative's term of office? A State Senator's?
10 What are the six elected, statewide offices? How long is their term in office? Who are the current incumbents in these offices? Who are the major party's endorsed candidates running for these offices this year?
Office 1:
Office 2:
Office 3:
Office 4:
Office 5:
Office 6:
11. The Reform Party is a "major" party under Minnesota law. How did we qualify to be a major party, who achieved this for us, and is our major party status permanent?
12. Name two forms of public financing of elections that Minnesota government provides? Do they cover all elective offices? If not, then which offices are covered?
(If enough people call Alan at 333-5181 he will post the answers on the Internet.)
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