FRQ topics

Possible FRQ topics inlcude:
1. Presidential approval ratings
2. Incumbency advantage
3. Bicameralism (differences between the two houses of Congress)
4. Supreme Court selection process
5. Bureacracy and legislative oversight

Keystone XL Pipeline

The Keystone Pipeline bill failed to pass the Senate yesterday by 1 vote.  Listen to this NPR segment and read this BBC article on the pipeline and answer the following questions.
1. How would you have voted on the Keystone pipeline?  Explain why you would have voted for or against it.
2. Who were the main opponents to the pipeline?  What were the main reasons for the Senators that voted against the Keystone pipeline?  Do you agree with these Senators?  Why or why not?
3. How do you think this will affect the runoff election in Louisiana?  Explain your reasoning.
4.  What are the three main points of supporters of the project?  Do you think they make valid points?  Why or why not? 
5.  Identify at least three key concepts from unit 3 that this story illustrates?  Explain HOW each of the concepts is illustrated in this story.

Labeling states Red and Blue: Too simplistic or just plain useful?

Read this NPR article on how the term 'red' and 'blue' states came to be and answer the following questions:
1. How has the media played a role in establishing this red/blue dichotomy?  Why would they do this?
2. Do you think it is useful/fair/justified/offensive to 'paint whole states with an ideologically broad brush?'  Why or why not?
3.  Is this oversimplification dangerous to the political process?  Does it create animosity where there might otherwise be more compromise?  Explain your answer.

Net Neutrality: What do you think?

Read this opinion article from BBC about Senator Ted Cruz's remarks on net neutrality and answer the following questions:

1. Do you agree or disagree with net neutrality? Should people have to pay more for high speed internet access or should everyone have the same internet speeds? Why or why not?
2. Do you agree with Senator Cruz about his comparison of net neutrality to Obamacare? Why or why not?
3. Why would corporations be against net neutrality? Do you think the internet is a basic right that should be cheap and fast for everyone? Why or why not?

4.  Should the government regulate the internet service providers and force them to provide a 'neutral' internet?  Why or why not? Which bureaucratic agency would be in charge of this regulation?

The Budget

In January, the Republicans will have total control over the purse strings of the American government, giving them more control (Obama still has his veto power) over the policy agenda.  Read this article from the NY Times and answer the following questions:
1. Do you think the Republicans will be successful in their efforts to decrease government spending and cut taxes for the wealthy? Why or why not?
2. Was this last election an indicator that the American people agree with the Republican approach to our fiscal crisis? Or was it something else entirely? Explain.
3. Do you think our mounting debt is/should be a primary issue on the policy agenda for America? Why or why not?
4. If the government is going to cut programs and shrink their size, what programs should be cut?  

Election 2014: A Republican wave (required)

1.       Which Senate race result was most surprising to you?  Why?

2.       Which Senate race was the biggest landslide victory?  Why do you think that was the case?  What was the closest race? Why?

3.       What was the strategy that worked for winning Republicans?  Winning Democrats?

4.       Who won the Florida governor’s race?  What are the political pundits saying about how the race played out?  What factor played the biggest role in the results? Turnout (or lack therof)?  Ideology? Negative Ads?

5.       Check out a number of news websites and pick three to compare (CNN, FOX, MSNBC, NPR, NYTimes, etc.) Is the analysis of the results clearly different on any of the news sites?  How so?

6.       Pick a controversial amendment on the ballot in a state of your choice.  Why do you think it passed (or didn’t pass)?  Is this an indicator of a national trend or is the reason specific to the state?  Explain.

7.       What was the most important gubernatorial race in your opinion?  Why?  Do the governor races matter more or less than the Senate election?  Why?

8.       What do you think is in store for the next two years?  Will this momentum be carried over into 2016 for Republicans?  Democrats?  What are the political pundits saying about the prospects for 2016?  

Mitch McConnell: An Electoral Case Study

Comment on the questions we discussed in class below:

Article 1
"McConnell concedes GOP Senate will not mean Obamacare repeal"

1. What are some of the main reasons Mitch McConnell is “tempering expectations” about the possibility of an Obamacare repeal if the Senate goes Republican after this election? Cite the text specifically in your answer.

2. Identify the key congressional power that McConnell sites as the best possibility for taking down the “highly destructive Obamacare.”

3. Do you think Obama will allow any part of the ACA (e.g. the medical equipment tax) to be repealed? Why might he give in? Why might he stand firm? Why or why not?



Article 2
"Senator Mitch McConnell has more than most riding on midterm elections"

1. Why do you think the Washington thinks “they’re smarter than all the rest of us” approach garners support? Explain.

2. How can experience and being seen as a “shrewd inside player” hurt you in a campaign? How can it help? Explain.

3. Do you think McConnell will win? Why or why not?