Isn't the election next year? The 2008 presidential election is more than a year away, but the campaign--and the debate over the issues facing America--are already in full swing.

• Author: Smith, Patricia
• Position: Cover story

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LESSON PLAN 3

CRITICAL THINKING

Note that the United States is unique among Western democracies in having such Long election campaigns.

* Discuss these questions: Does America's size--so much Larger than the other democracies cited--demand Long campaigns to allow voters to get to know the candidates and their stands on issues?

* Why do you think TV advertising has played such a Large role in modern elections? Is this good or bad for democracy? writing prompt Note that some campaigns have "youth vote coordinators" on their staffs.

* Have students assume this role for a candidate of their choice. They should write five-paragraph essays outlining what kinds of advertising, rallies, or other campaign strategies the candidate should employ to attract young voters.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

Political observers are confident that some candidates in both parties have absolutely no chance of being elected President. Assuming they're right, why do you think these candidates continue to campaign?

* Identify two or three issues--besides the Iraq war--that you believe the presidential candidates should address.

FAST FACTS

There are more than 40 "third parties," though many are small and active in only one or a few states.

* In 2003, the Supreme Court overturned a Law barring minors 17 or younger from giving money to campaigns or parties. (McConnell v. FEC)

WEB WATCH

www.nytimes.com/ref/us/politics /2008candidates.html

Biographies and other information on declared Democratic and Republican candidates.

The calendar still reads 2007, and we're still more than four months away from the first primary--not to mention more than a year away from the actual 2008 election. But you'd never know it from the time and space devoted to the campaign in the media, by bloggers, and by late-night TV comedians.

America's process for nominating candidates and electing a President is always long (especially compared with that of countries with parliamentary systems, like Britain and Germany, which can get through the entire process in a couple of months). This time, however, everything is happening even earlier, and what's more, the voters seem to be paying attention A recent poll found that substantially more Americans ages 17 to 29 are following the presidential race than four years ago (see p. 17).

"The country is more interested in politics than it s been in a long time," says E.J. Dionne of the Brookings Institution.

There are a variety of reasons for...