What kinds of stories are there about this entity/candidate in the press (include digital media, blogs, local newspapers/websites, etc.)?

WHO ARE THEY? Tell us about the person who is running for this office and who supports themBiography/Political Experience:Where did they grow up, go to school, go to college, etc.?Where do they live? How long have they lived in their current home? If they didn’t grow up there, why and when did they (or their parents) move there?Where have they lived in the past? Where do they consider “home”?What is their family background (children, married, siblings, etc.?)?What do they do for a living? Previous Work Experience?What do they do for fun? Where do they like to vacation? What’s their favorite music, TV show, video game, or website?What was their first political experience? Why did they get involved in politics?Why are they running for this office? What is the most important part of their job, from their point of view?Who do they consider their closest political allies? Opponents?How did their experience prepare them to be elected officials?What specific skills or attributes do they bring to this office?Supporters/ConstituentsWhat constituencies are they most connected to? What communities/groups have they worked in/with in the past? What communities/sectors do they work most closely with?What other sectors/industries/interest groups do they work with? Do these present any conflicts of interest with the office they are seeking?What area/neighborhoods or communities do they represent? What are the most important things to know about the area they represent (including demographics of the residents, important historical facts, etc.)?What interest groups are most affected by this official/office/body? Are there lobbyists that regularly influence this body/official? If so, who are they? Are they paid? Who do they represent?How does the representative communicate with their constituents (newsletter, website, community meetings, etc.)?2. WHAT DO THEY DO? Tell us about the candidate’s public rolePublic Meeting/Speeches/AppearancesAttend at least TWO public meetings/events where this candidate is present or a speech/appearance by the candidate (online or in person) and listen carefully, taking notes about what you observed.Describe the event. What is the purpose of the event/meeting? Who is sponsoring or producing the event? Who is invited/present? What is the location like?What issues are being discussed at the event ? Do the issues seem important/impactful?Do the representatives seem prepared on the issues? Well-informed? Well-spoken?Are they attentive when others are speaking, including audience members?How many members of the public are present? What issues are they discussing? Are they representative of the community, in your opinion? How did the candidate respond to members of the public who were present? Debates/Online InterviewsAttend or watch a debate between the candidates or watch an online interview and answer the following questions. Use specific examples from the debate/interview to support your observations.Who moderated the debate? Who participated? What kinds of questions were asked?Take notes about the candidate’s responses. Did candidate answer the questions directly? Thoroughly? Do they have original responses or do their answers seem “canned” or “coached”? Give examples.What is their demeanor/attitude/ at the debates or interview (with the audience, or moderator/questioners or other candidates)?Do they seem prepared on the issues? Well-informed? Give specific examples.Are they attentive when others are speaking, including audience members?What kinds of issues did they address at the debate/interview? Be specific and detailed.How did audience members respond to the candidates? Who was present at the debate? Were audience members representative of the general public? Or of particular communities?3. HOW DOES THEIR CAMPAIGN OPERATE?Campaign OverviewWhat is the campaign’s main message to voters? What is their campaign slogan? What kinds of messages do they convey about themselves or the issues? Do you think the messages are effective? Provide a sample of their campaign materials.What is their website like? Is it easy to use? What images are most prominent? How useful is the information on the website?Do they have a Facebook/Instagram/Twitter account? Other social media? What kinds of messages or content do they send ? Who is their target audience? Give examples.Are campaign materials available in different languages? Website?Describe the campaign office: What is the environment like? What neighborhood is it in? What kind of space is it? What kinds of people are working in the office? Were you welcomed when you came in? Do you feel welcome there?Any events that volunteers/potential supporters could attend? Describe them in detail. What is their strategy to win the election? Are they planning to register voters? If so, which voters are they targeting? How are they going to encourage people to participate in the election who usually don’t?What are the most important roles for volunteers?How do they recruit volunteers? (Call or contact the office to become a volunteer, and record your observations – did they call you back right away? What kind of activities did they invite you to? How were you treated?)Campaign Contributions/ExpensesWhat campaign rules govern this election (both on contributions and expenditures)? Did the candidate agree to a spending limit? How much money have they raised in the current election? Past elections?Who are their contributors? (See OpenSecrets.org/Maplight/SF Ethics Commission for this information) Do you see a pattern (mostly from businesses, what industries, unions, small business owners, individuals, etc.)? Are the contributions mostly small or large?Are independent expenditure committees or PACs supporting their campaign (or opposing it)? Who is behind them?Are they accepting public financing? How much of their money comes from this source?How much money did they spend on their campaign? What kinds of things did they spend money on?4. WHY ARE THEY IMPORTANT? Tell us about the kinds of issues this elected official will make decisions about. (2-3 people assigned to this section)Choose 3 issues each, and explain the candidate’s position in detail on each issue, focusing on the issues your class chose to study this semester. What is their stance on these issues? How do they define the problem and what do they propose as a solution? What are the arguments they make to support those positions? Are they factual, credible, logical arguments?