Civics Shorts: Presidential Nominating Conventions

Presidential nominating conventions are full of razzle dazzle and drama! But what are they? Who goes to them? Where are they held? So many questions! 

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Transcript:

NOTE: This transcript was generated using an automated transcription service, and may contain typographical errors.

Civics 101

Episode: Presidential Nominating Conventions Short 

Nick Capodice: [00:00:02] This is Nick. 

Hannah McCarthy: [00:00:03] And Hannah McCarthy.

Nick Capodice: [00:00:05] Presidential conventions are the party of the century. 

Hannah McCarthy: [00:00:09] More like the party of every four years.

Nick Capodice: [00:00:12] That doesn't have quite the same ring to it. Either way, nominating conventions are full of razzle-dazzle and drama.

Hannah McCarthy: [00:00:19] You have an exclusive invitation to listen.

Nick Capodice: [00:00:22] This civic short on presidential conventions is designed with middle schoolers in mind, but it's also for anyone who wants a quick refresher.

Archival Tape: [00:00:30] Chicago is a city divided as thousands of delegates and observers stream into the city for the twenty-fifth Republican convention.

Archival Tape: [00:00:38] This is going to be the craziest convention I ever saw.

Archival Tape: [00:00:41] Someone has been hurt and is being carried out, being wheeled out on a stretcher.

Archival Tape: [00:00:48] `Will the sergeant at arms emforce order in the convention?!

Felix Poon: [00:00:53] Those are clips from the pinnacle of American politics

Jacqui Fulton: [00:00:55] The Democratic National Convention, DNC, and the Republican [00:01:00] National Convention, RNC.

Felix Poon: [00:01:02] As you can hear, they get lively.

Jacqui Fulton: [00:01:05] There have been smoke-filled rooms, bribery, protests.

Felix Poon: [00:01:07] And somewhere in the midst of all that work has to be done.

Jacqui Fulton: [00:01:13] I'm Jacqui.

Felix Poon: [00:01:14] I'm Felix.

Jacqui Fulton: [00:01:15] Break out your party hats.

Felix Poon: [00:01:18] Today on civic shorts, we are going to throw down the what, where and why of the presidential nominating conventions.

Archival Tape: [00:01:26] The curtain is about to rise on one of the most momentous meetings in Republican history. And spectators crowd around convention hall. Twelve hundred and six delegates are gathered to hear General MacArthur deliver the keynote address.

Felix Poon: [00:01:43] What are conventions?

Jacqui Fulton: [00:01:44] Party conventions take place every four years, typically a few months before Election Day.

Felix Poon: [00:01:50] Conventions are a transition during presidential campaigns.

Jacqui Fulton: [00:01:54] They mark the shift from the nominating process to the general election.

Felix Poon: [00:02:00] The [00:02:00] presidential conventions have two big functions.

Archival Tape: [00:02:04] One.

Jacqui Fulton: [00:02:05] They're used to select party candidates.

Archival Tape: [00:02:08] Two

Felix Poon: [00:02:09] They also help a party perfect its platform. More about that in a minute.

Felix Poon: [00:02:16] Where do they take place?

Jacqui Fulton: [00:02:16] Like the Super Bowl conventions are held in different cities, often in places where the party is hoping to woo voters. Way back when they were held in churches, meeting halls and even saloons.

Felix Poon: [00:02:32] This year,  will be the first-ever virtual presidential convention.

Archival Tape: [00:02:37] The DNC announcing this year's national convention in August will be largely virtual, amid the pandemic. Delegates were asked to stay home and cast their votes remotely.

Felix Poon: [00:02:49] Who goes to presidential conventions?

Jacqui Fulton: [00:02:52] Everybody who's anybody in politics attends the conventions.

Archival Tape: [00:02:54] While the figures of Taft and Eisenhower dominate the convention atmosphere, [00:03:00] elder statesman, Herbert Hoover, only living ex-president, will be heard before the assembly.

Felix Poon: [00:03:08] In 2008, around 84000 people attended the last day of the DNC.

Jacqui Fulton: [00:03:13] I hate to be one of those lines to the bathroom.

Felix Poon: [00:03:16] The majority of folks are volunteers, activists, news media, invited guests and party officials.

Jacqui Fulton: [00:03:22] But the important attendees are the delegates.

Archival Tape: [00:03:24] delegates. 

Archival Tape: [00:03:25] Delegates. 

Felix Poon: [00:03:26] Delegates are people who have been chosen to represent their states at the convention. Often their local political leaders, each state picks their own delegates.

Jacqui Fulton: [00:03:35] The amount of delegates the party has is based on a few different things. Each party has their own special formula.

Archival Tape: [00:03:42] Nearly two thirds 271 captured anywhere from four to seven delegates, depending on the remaining. One hundred forty four pledged delegates are distributed based on it,

Jacqui Fulton: [00:03:52] Which is why they have different numbers of delegates.

Felix Poon: [00:03:56] Why are conventions important? What happens at a convention?

Archival Tape: [00:04:00] One [00:04:00] on one half for the minority or for 30 and a half for the administration.

Jacqui Fulton: [00:04:05] The first order of business at a convention is to perfect their platform.

Felix Poon: [00:04:10] Parties of people who don't all see eye to eye. The convention allows them to work out exactly where they stand on issues while they are all in one place.

Jacqui Fulton: [00:04:19] This is called the platform. It gives the party clear political positions to stand on. The delegates debate and vote on every single word in the platform. It looks exhausting.

Archival Tape: [00:04:31] So the amendment you have before you strikes a number of words that are struck, striking there in red. You know, it isn't some Martians that are telling us that we should accept the new normal. It's the pundits and the Democrats. This will be the first page of actual content in our platform. I think it's important that we keep voters attention and not turn them off with some sour language.The amendment is adopted.

Felix Poon: [00:04:56]  Second, and this one's a biggie.

Jacqui Fulton: [00:04:58] Conventions are where political [00:05:00] parties pick their presidential candidate.

Felix Poon: [00:05:03] Presidential campaigns start years in advance of actual election day by the time of the convention. Many candidates have been weeded out and it's down to only a handful of candidates.

Archival Tape: [00:05:14] General Ike is the first chief contender to arrive on the convention scene with Mrs. Eisenhower. And here comes Mr. Republican himself, Senator Robert Taft, the son of a former president. Confident of victory he claims five hundred and four delegates assured.

Jacqui Fulton: [00:05:30]  This is where the delegates from each state cast their vote for candidates. Back in the day conventions were run by party bosses.

Felix Poon: [00:05:37] Kind of like mobsters.

Jacqui Fulton: [00:05:39] They would buy votes from the delegates.

Felix Poon: [00:05:41] You vote for my guy and I'll give you five dollars and a box of cigars kind of deal. Ballots were rigged, all kinds of shadiness

Archival Tape: [00:05:49] Gov. William Scranton and his backers attempted a floor fight over the seating of a Negro delegate from Tennessee.

Felix Poon: [00:05:56] It was a struggle to get diverse delegates at the nominating conventions.

Archival Tape: [00:06:01] The [00:06:00] Massachusetts delegation to the Democratic National Convention. People in the delegation properly represent women, young people and minorities. Three group the Democratic Party said had to be involved in the collection of this years presidential nominee.

Jacqui Fulton: [00:06:15] Rules were implemented to take power away from the corrupt party bosses. It made the nominees shoo-ins before the convention start.

Archival Tape: [00:06:25] Mr. Chairman, delegates and my fellow citizens, I proudly accept your nomination.

Jacqui Fulton: [00:06:32] So conventions are now largely a ceremonial spectacle.

Felix Poon: [00:06:36] Flashy affairs full of pomp and circumstance to get voters pumped up for the November presidential election.

Jacqui Fulton: [00:06:43]  Released the confetti and let's get this party started!

Archival Tape: [00:06:47] Thank you for helping us have the best national convention we've ever had!

Nick Capodice: [00:06:57] Voila, there you have it, Hannah, presidential nominating [00:07:00] conventions.

Hannah McCarthy: [00:07:01] Nowadays, they serve two big functions.One, they helped to nail down a party platform. And two delegates officially pick the party's candidate for president.

Nick Capodice: [00:07:12] Cue the credits!

Credits kid: [00:07:14] This episode was produced by Jacqui Fulton. With help by Nick Capodice. Hannah McCarthy. Felix Poon. Christina Phillips. Erika Janik. Maureen McMurray. Music in this episode by Blue Dot Sessions. 

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Civics Shorts: The Judicial Branch

It’s that time of year again - Supreme Court ruling season! The Supreme Court, or SCOTUS for short, came out with a number of major decisions recently. But how does a case get to SCOTUS? And what role do district and circuit courts play in the judicial branch?

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Transcript

NOTE: This transcript was generated using an automated transcription service, and may contain typographical errors.

Judicial Branch Short

Civics 101

Hannah McCarthy: [00:00:01] You know, Nick, it's that time of year again.

Nick Capodice: [00:00:03]  Cherry blossom season in D.C.?

Hannah McCarthy: [00:00:05] No Supreme Court ruling season.

Nick Capodice: [00:00:09] That's right. They have come out with a bunch of major decisions lately. So today, our latest installment of Civic Shorts is about the judicial branch of the U.S. government.

Hannah McCarthy: [00:00:18] It's created with middle schoolers in mind.

Nick Capodice: [00:00:20]  But it's also for anyone who wants a quick refresher.

Hannah McCarthy: [00:00:23] Producers Felix Poon and Jacqui Fulton are on the case. Felix and Jacqui take it away.

Archival: [00:00:30] Good morning. We have breaking news from the Supreme Court. It is a landmark decision for the LGBTQ community.

Felix Poon: [00:00:36] There were some major decisions to come out of the 2020 Supreme Court rulings.

Jacqui Fulton: [00:00:40] There was one that protects LGBTQ workers from job discrimination.

Felix Poon: [00:00:44] There was another decision on the DACA program.

Archival: [00:00:47] Blocking President Trump's plan to end the program.

Jacqui Fulton: [00:00:50] That's a program where undocumented immigrants who came into the U.S. as kids are protected from deportation.

Felix Poon: [00:00:56] And another big decision was to strike down a law in Louisiana that made it [00:01:00] harder for women to get an abortion.

Archival: [00:01:01] The Supreme Court has blocked a Louisiana abortion law from going into effect.

Jacqui Fulton: [00:01:06] The Supreme Court, as the United States or SCOTUS for short, is part of the third branch of the government, the judicial branch.

[00:01:14] And today we're going to talk about the who, what and why the judicial branch.

Jacqui Fulton: [00:01:18] I'm Jacqui.

Felix Poon: [00:01:19] And I'm Felix.

[00:01:21] Let's get this show on the road.

Archival: [00:01:25] Honorable chief justice and the associate justice of the Supreme Court of the United States. Oyez oyez oyez, all persons having business before the honorable, the Supreme Court, of the United States are admonished to give  their attention for the court is now sitting. God save the United States and this honorable court.

Felix Poon: [00:01:54] So what's the judicial branch and what does it do?

Jacqui Fulton: [00:01:56] The judicial branch is made up of state courts and federal courts. [00:02:00] Now, they don't make the laws. They don't arrest you. Their job is to interpret the laws. And judges do that sometimes with a jury, sometimes with doubt.

Felix Poon: [00:02:09] Most cases are going to be in your state court. You stole a car. You've got a divorce. State court.

Jacqui Fulton: [00:02:15] The state courts are part of the judicial branch. But we're going to focus on the federal courts in this episode. Federal courts are mostly for cases involving the U.S. Constitution or federal law.

Felix Poon: [00:02:26] There's three levels to the federal judicial branch. The district courts, the circuit courts and the Supreme Court. The lowest level are the district courts. There are 94 district courts in the United States.

Jacqui Fulton: [00:02:39] Then there's a second level. The circuit courts, which are also called appellate courts because they hear the appeals from the lower district courts.

Felix Poon: [00:02:48] Oh, appellate appeal. I get it.

Jacqui Fulton: [00:02:55] And there's 13 circuit courts, one for the 12 regions of the United States, plus [00:03:00] the federal circuit, which hears appeals in cases of patent law, international trade and other national issues.

Felix Poon: [00:03:07] What circuit are we in, Jackie?

Jacqui Fulton: [00:03:09] We're in the First Circuit. That's New Hampshire, Maine, Massachusetts, Rhode Island and Puerto Rico.

Felix Poon: [00:03:14] The highest level of the judicial branch is the Supreme Court. So how does a case get to be considered by the Supreme Court?

Jacqui Fulton: [00:03:22] It's not easy to get your case heard by the Supreme Court.

Felix Poon: [00:03:25] Let's take an actual case. The governor of Michigan is Gretchen Whitmer.

[00:03:29] She closed all the gyms in the state in spring of 2020 because of Corona virus. But some Republican lawmakers weren't happy about that.

Archival: [00:03:37] And Republicans say that she's breaking the law by going around the legislature. The issue went before a judge this morning.

Felix Poon: [00:03:42] The district court judge sided with the Republican lawmakers on this one. So gyms were set to reopen. But Governor Whitmer appealed.

Archival: [00:03:50] The Governor isn't giving up yet. She's taking her case to the sixth court of Appeals. Seven Action News report.

Felix Poon: [00:03:56] And she won.

Archival: [00:03:58] The gym's must stay closed. [00:04:00] Governor Whitmer scoring a late night legal victory just hours before gyms were set to reopen their doors.

Jacqui Fulton: [00:04:06] The circuit court has no jury. The lawyers argue, in front of a panel of three judges. And in this case, they decided that the lower district court made a mistake in their interpretation of the law. So they ruled in favor of Governor Whitmer.

Felix Poon: [00:04:19] Right. And now those Republican lawmakers could try to take it to the Supreme Court. To do that, they'd have to file a petition for a writ of certiorari.

Jacqui Fulton: [00:04:27] A petition for a writ of certi-what now?

Felix Poon: [00:04:31] A petition for a writ of certiorari or a cert petition for short.

[00:04:35] It's a written request asking the Supreme Court to hear a case every year, about 8000 requests come in, but only around 80 are accepted. That's just one percent. There are certain types of cases that SCOTUS is more likely to accept, like an issue that the circuit courts disagree about.

[00:04:53] These are called split cases between one or more circuits and another circuit or circuit.

Archival: [00:05:02] A [00:05:00] three-judge panel at the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals bucked the national trend Thursday, upholding four states bans on same sex marriage.

Jacqui Fulton: [00:05:09] An example of this is the 2015 case Obergefell versus Hodges, in which the Sixth Circuit Court banned same sex marriages.

Archival: [00:05:18] That puts the six circuit court in opposition to four other circuit court rulings.

Jacqui Fulton: [00:05:23] This conflicted with rulings in other circuits that upheld the right to same sex marriage.

Felix Poon: [00:05:27] Which meant that federal law was applied differently in one circuit than in other circuits. That's why the Supreme Court took the case. Whatever they ruled, it would resolve the circuit split.

Jacqui Fulton: [00:05:40] So once a case gets to SCOTUS, how do they decide the ruling?

[00:05:44] The Supreme Court takes briefs about the case. Written arguments from each side about why they should win. And they hear oral arguments from both sides. Then they meet privately, then they vote. The senior judge in the majority decides which judge with [00:06:00] a lot of help from their clerks is going to write the majority opinion. So what did they decide in the Obergefell versus Hodges case?

Archival: [00:06:06] There is a right to marriage equality, I repeat, speaking  to you from the steps of the Supreme Court, there is a right to marriage equality. Read just from the bench now, waiting to get the opinions as they come running out of the court, Thomas. So this is a big day.

Jacqui Fulton: [00:06:19] They ruled in favor of same sex marriage, making same sex marriage a right nationwide.

[00:06:29] And there you have it. The judicial branch.

Felix Poon: [00:06:32] Thanks for tuning in.

Nick Capodice: [00:06:36] One last thing before we go, Hannah. We should remind listeners how judges become judges on these courts.

Hannah McCarthy: [00:06:42] Right. The president appoints them and the Senate confirms them. And the president does that

[00:06:47] for judges at district court and circuit court levels, as well as for the Supreme Court.

[00:06:53] How many district courts are there again?

Nick Capodice: [00:06:55] There's 94 district courts, 13 circuit courts.

[00:06:59] Aha, 12 circuit [00:07:00] courts with twelve regions plus the federal circuit.

Nick Capodice: [00:07:03] And the Supreme Court is the highest court in the land.

Hannah McCarthy: [00:07:06] Precisely.

[00:07:07] This episode is produced by Felix Poon with help by Jacqui Fulton, Hannah McCarthy and me, Nick Capodice.

Hannah McCarthy: [00:07:12] Erika Janik is our executive producer, music and this episode by Blue Dot Sessions.

Nick Capodice: [00:07:16] You can listen to more Civics 101 at civics101podcast.org. Civics 101 is supported in part by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting and is a production of NHPR, New Hampshire Public Radio.

Civics Shorts: The Electoral College

The Electoral College has been called “complicated and confusing.” But our Civics Shorts eat “complicated and confusing” for breakfast. This episode explores three Electoral College basics: what is the electoral college, why do we have it, and who are the electors? All aboard!

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Transcript

NOTE: This transcript was generated using an automated transcription service, and may contain typographical errors.

Civics 101

Episode: Electoral College Shorts

Nick Capodice: [00:00:00] The Electoral College has been called complicated and confusing. But our civics 101 short series eats complicated and confusing for breakfast. Today's short is designed for middle schoolers. But like all sugary cereals, it's also fun for adults. Enjoy!

Archive: [00:00:18] I was editor of the yearbook. And that's why I think you should elect me president of the student body. Thank you.

Jacqui Fulton: [00:00:25] Did you ever run for office in high school?

Felix Poon: [00:00:28] No, I have not.

Jacqui Fulton: [00:00:29] I ran for class president my senior year. I made campaign posters with my face on Rosie the Riveter.

Archive: [00:00:36] Now there is a girl that it really get my vote.

Jacqui Fulton: [00:00:38] It was a direct election.

Felix Poon: [00:00:40] Oh, a direct election. That's where the voters cast their ballot directly for the candidate they want.

Jacqui Fulton: [00:00:46] Yeah. A direct election is only one step. Students filled out a ballot for their choice of class president and the vote went straight to that person.

Felix Poon: [00:00:54] Whoever got the most votes won.

Jacqui Fulton: [00:00:56] I got one vote. My own.

Felix Poon: [00:01:00] Ahhh

Jacqui Fulton: [00:01:00] It's fine. It's fine. I'm over it now.

Archive: [00:01:05] The 1964 presidential campaign has officially launched-. 

Felix Poon: [00:01:09] Presidential elections in the U.S. are not as simple as a student government election. Our presidential election is an indirect election.

Jacqui Fulton: [00:01:17]  You see, voters aren't really voting for the president.They're voting for someone else. Their state's electors.

Felix Poon: [00:01:28] The Electoral College are the people who cast the official final vote for president and vice president.

Jacqui Fulton: [00:01:34] I'm Jacqui

Felix Poon: [00:01:34] I'm Felix.

Jacqui Fulton: [00:01:35] This is Civics 101 Shorts.Today, we're going to shine civic tricornlight on the Electoral College.

Felix Poon: [00:01:43] Hold on to your bedazzled tri corn hat.

Jacqui Fulton: [00:01:48] Let's play my favorite game. Let's pretend I'm running for the president of the United States. My opponent, the dreaded Felix Poon. Picture this. It's Election Day and you cast your vote for me. 

Felix Poon: [00:02:02] Or me.The votes are tallied up.

Fendall Fulton: [00:02:06] Breaking news, Jacqui has 65 million votes for president, Felix came in with 63 million.

Fendall Fulton: [00:02:14] Yes. Amid defeat. And say hello to your new commander in chief.

Felix Poon: [00:02:19] Not so fast. You won the popular vote, but I won the Electoral College vote!

Fendall Fulton: [00:02:24] Breaking breaking news. Jacqui came in with 227 electoral votes, but Felix got three hundred four electoral votes. Felix has won the presidential election.

Jacqui Fulton: [00:02:34] No, foiled again.

Felix Poon: [00:02:38] Your vote didn't go directly to Jacqui or me. It was used to determine how many votes we'd receive in the Electoral College. And the number of Electoral College votes we received is what actually determined the outcome of the presidential election.

Jacqui Fulton: [00:02:52] Why do we have an electoral college?

Felix Poon: [00:02:55] The framers of the Constitution?

Archive: [00:02:57] Now what are they debating about?

Archive: [00:03:01] They're trying to decide who will be the head of the government.

Felix Poon: [00:03:06] As much as we hear about the framers creating this majestic democracy- when it came down to it they didn't actually trust direct democracy.

Fendall Fulton: [00:03:19] They didn't think everyday folks, like you or me, could elect the right president, vice president, or senators.

Archive: [00:03:28] The people will never be sufficiently informed of character. And besides, will never give a majority of votes to one man. They will generally vote for some man in their own state. And the largest state will have the best chance for the appointment.

Felix Poon: [00:03:43] The founders made an extra step in the process, a safeguard.

Fendall Fulton: [00:03:51] What exactly is the Electoral College?

Felix Poon: [00:03:54] Now, despite the name, it's not a college. It's not even a place. It is a group of 538 people who vote for the president and vice president.

Archive: [00:04:04] The proceedings of the California Electoral College are now in order.

Fendall Fulton: [00:04:08] Each state has a different number of electors.

Archive: [00:04:11] Florida with 25 electoral votes. Virginia with 13.

Jacqui Fulton: [00:04:14] There's an elector for each member of the House of Representatives for that state.Plus, two senators.

Felix Poon: [00:04:20]  D.C., our nation's capital, has three even though it's not a state.

Archive: [00:04:26] U.S. And if you can tell, it is too close to call. It's a very, very tight race.

Felix Poon: [00:04:31] Altogether, there are 538 total electoral votes in the U.S.

Jacqui Fulton: [00:04:36] The magic number, is two hundred and seventy.

Felix Poon: [00:04:43] Just over half the Electoral College. Whoever rakes in 270 electoral votes officially wins.

Archive: [00:04:49] We're back now. And we want to tell you that Bill Clinton has been elected president of the United States. Bill Clinton well beyond 270.

Jacqui Fulton: [00:05:00] So the candidates want to rack up as many states where they can get the most votes.I could have won the electoral votes of Vermont. 

Felix Poon: [00:05:08] Three votes. 

Jacqui Fulton: [00:05:10] Virginia. 

Felix Poon: [00:05:11] Thirteen votes. 

Jacqui Fulton: [00:05:12] And Tennessee. 

Felix Poon: [00:05:13] Eleven votes.

Jacqui Fulton: [00:05:15] That's three whole states. But if Felix had won just California, he would have way more votes than I did because California is worth fifty five electoral votes all by itself.

Felix Poon: [00:05:30] All right. So who is in the Electoral College?

Archive: [00:05:34] The first order of business is the roll call of electors, Snehal Oggy.

Felix Poon: [00:05:40] They're the who's who they can be, politicians, public servants, celebrities.

Jacqui Fulton: [00:05:45] Each state has it's own laws and rules on who they pick and how.A lot has changed since the founders put the Electoral College in place.

Felix Poon: [00:06:00] Some people wonder if we still need the Electoral College.

Jacqui Fulton: [00:06:03] There've been a few times when voters were not pleased with the Electoral College system. I'm thinking of five particular times when candidates won the popular vote but lost the Electoral College vote and therefore the presidential election.

Felix Poon: [00:06:20] Most recently in the 2016 presidential election.

Archive: [00:06:23] I've just received a call from Secretary Clinton. She congratulated us about us on our victory.

Jacqui Fulton: [00:06:34] It also happened in the election of 2000. Al Gore won the popular vote, but George W. Bush ecked by win with two hundred seventy one votes in the Electoral College.

Felix Poon: [00:06:47] The Electoral College and indirect elections of our president and vice presidents remain a hotly debated part of our democracy.

Jacqui Fulton: [00:06:54] But as of now, it remains intact.

Felix Poon: [00:06:56] And I won the Electoral College vote in our pretend election. Better luck next time.

Jacqui Fulton: [00:07:00] Oh, there'll be a next time.

Nick Capodice: [00:07:02] Electoral ollege is the process in which we officially elect the president and vice president. State picked electors, cast their vote, and whichever candidate gets 270 or more Electoral College votes wins the whole shebang.

Credits Kid unnamed: [00:07:21] This episode was produced by Jacqui Fulton. With help by Nick Capodice, Hannah McCarthy, Felix Poon, Christina Phillips, Erika Janick, Maureen McMurray, and music by Blue Dot Sessions.

Civics Shorts: The Three Branches

The United States government spreads power across three branches of government: the executive, legislative, and judicial branches. Why three branches? What does each branch do that the others cannot? And how do they work together? 

Today’s Civics Short takes a closer look at the who, what, where, and whys of the three branches.

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Transcript

NOTE: This transcript was generated using an automated transcription service, and may contain typographical errors.

Civics 101 Shorts

Episode: The Three Branches 

Civics shorts three branches podcast version.wav

Nick Capodice: [00:00:01] Hello dear listeners, Nick Capodice and Hannah McCarthy here.

Hannah McCarthy: [00:00:04] Welcome to the latest installment of civics shorts, built with middle schoolers in mind they are fun for the whole family, even that one cranky uncle.

Nick Capodice: [00:00:13]  Today Jacqui Fulton is giving you three for the price of one because this episode is about the three branches of government. Enjoy.

Christina Phillips: [00:00:25] The colonists declared independence from the king.

Jacqui Fulton: [00:00:27] We declare independence!

Christina Phillips: [00:00:29] Fought a war and became their own nation.

Jacqui Fulton: [00:00:34] They were finally free and forming their own government. But how could they prevent one person from having all the power again?

Scar: [00:00:42] I am the king. I can do whatever I want.

Christina Phillips: [00:00:45] What to do? What to do? Ah Ha!

Jacqui Fulton: [00:00:48] Their answer, separate the powers.

Christina Phillips: [00:00:51] They would create three branches of government, a family.

Jacqui Fulton: [00:00:56] The branches each have their own jobs, but would all have to work together to get stuff done.

Christina Phillips: [00:01:02] But no one said it had to be pretty.

Archive Tape: [00:01:04] The consequence is friction in colorful language sparks.

Jacqui Fulton: [00:01:09] I'm Jacqui.

Christina Phillips: [00:01:10] I'm Christina.This is civics one on one shorts. And today we are going to civic-splain the three branches of government. The what's what of the executive, judicial and legislative branches.

Jacqui Fulton: [00:01:26] Fire up the old projector!

Archive Tape: [00:01:33] The national government is necessarily one big family. But the family squabbles have been long and loud, appearing at times to suggest the imminence of divorce.

Archive Tape: [00:01:44] You, sir, may resign your post.

Jacqui Fulton: [00:01:49] It sounds like my family.

Christina Phillips: [00:01:50] The three branches struggle for power and step on each other's toes. It's a system of checks and balances.

Archive Tape: [00:01:59] A check means to stop something. A balance means a way of evening things up.

Christina Phillips: [00:02:04] Each branch of government brings something unique to the relationship, special powers.

Jacqui Fulton: [00:02:09] ,Let's start with the executive branch.

Christina Phillips: [00:02:12] The executive branch carries out and enforces laws passed by Congress. It's made up of the president, the vice president and cabinet members.

Jacqui Fulton: [00:02:24] The president has many responsibilities.

Archive Tape: [00:02:27] For example, he gives out medals to war heroes. He greets the winners of contest. He's greeted men coming back from the moon.

President Nixon: [00:02:34] I want you to know that I think I'm the luckiest man in the world. I have the privilege of speaking for so many and welcoming you back to earth!

Christina Phillips: [00:02:45] Not only the head of state.The president is the leader of the federal government and commander in chief of the United States Armed Forces.

Archive Tape: [00:02:52] If the president approves the bill, he signs, it then becomes law. The President may veto a bill passed by the Congress.

Christina Phillips: [00:03:01] The president gets help from the vice president. The vice president is also the president of the Senate and takes over for the president if she is no longer able to do the job.

Archive Tape: [00:03:11] In case of the removal of the president from office or his death, resignation or inability to discharge the powers and duties of said office-

Jacqui Fulton: [00:03:19]  that brings us to the cabinet.

President Obama: [00:03:22] One of the things I'm most proud of is the cabinet we've assembled. You've got extraordinarily talented people.

Christina Phillips: [00:03:27] The cabinet members are 15 high ranking folks.

Jacqui Fulton: [00:03:29] Who run agencies that are part of the executive branch, like the secretary of state, the attorney general and the secretary of the Treasury.

Christina Phillips: [00:03:39] The executive branch is powerful.

He-Man: [00:03:44] I have the power! 

Jacqui Fulton: [00:03:44] But it doesn't hold all the power- on to the legislative branch!

Christina Phillips: [00:03:50]  The legislative branch is the one that makes the laws.

Archive Tape: [00:03:53] This branch of the government is made up of two houses. The Senate and the House of Representatives. A law may originate in either House, but must be approved by both of them.When a bill is passed by both houses, it is sent to the president.

Christina Phillips: [00:04:12] Each state has two senators. That's 100 senators altogether.

Jacqui Fulton: [00:04:17] They have the authority to declare war. Here they are responding to President Roosevelt, asking for war to be declared on Japan after the attack on Pearl Harbor.

Archive Tape: [00:04:29] And now, ladies and gentlemen, we understand that both houses of Congress now have passed the resolution for a declaration of war.

Christina Phillips: [00:04:36] The House of Representatives has 435 voting representatives and six non-voting members.

Jacqui Fulton: [00:04:43] Each state has a different number of Reps based on population.

Archive Tape: [00:04:48] The first session of the 75th Congress closes before the president's chief bills are passed and a special session threatens.

Christina Phillips: [00:04:54] Lastly, but not leastly the judicial branch.

Archive Tape: [00:05:00] The Constitution set up the president to keep an eye on the Congress, and the Congress to keep an eye on the president, and to keep an eye on both of them something else, a Supreme Court.

Christina Phillips: [00:05:11] The judicial branch decides what laws mean and how to apply them in real life situations.

Jacqui Fulton: [00:05:16] Or as this guy puts it-. 

Archive Tape: [00:05:18] They sit most days of the year and they look into the Constitution and they decide if something that somebody has done, anybody is legal. Whether you can, for instance, a stage play of naked men and women running around shouting four letter words is constitutional.

Christina Phillips: [00:05:35] I'd watch that play.

Jacqui Fulton: [00:05:38] The Supreme Court is the highest court in the country and it's part of the judicial branch.

Christina Phillips: [00:05:43] It's made up of nine justices who are nominated by the president and must be approved by the Senate.

Archive Tape: [00:05:49] We'll hear argument first this morning in case 189526, Mcgerk Versus Oklahoma. Mr. Gershengorn.

Christina Phillips: [00:05:58] They also decide cases that differ from what our Constitution says. There are lower federal courts that help handle things like appeals, tax, and bankruptcy, lawsuits involving U.S. and state governments, or the Constitution and more.

Archive Tape: [00:06:12] There's much, much more. We also want you to have this six in one...

Christina Phillips: [00:06:17] There you have it. The three branches of government. Executive, legislative and judicial.

Jacqui Fulton: [00:06:24] Each has a different job to do.

Archive Tape: [00:06:26] If the Congress and the president get to a point where there's a serious dispute on who has the authority to act, then the final judge becomes the third branch of the government. The Supreme Court.

Jacqui Fulton: [00:06:36] The most important thing is that they work together even if they don't want to.

Archive Tape: [00:06:40] Should we be disturbed by such tension within our government? The fact is that the Constitution permits squabbling but it also permits agreement.

Hannah McCarthy: [00:07:03] All right, Nick, what are the three branches of government

Nick Capodice: [00:07:05] Executive, legislative, judicial. The legislative branch makes laws.

Hannah McCarthy: [00:07:09] The executive branch enforces laws.

Nick Capodice: [00:07:11]  And the judicial branch interprets the laws.You branches better get along with each other now.

Hannah McCarthy: [00:07:16] Don't make me pull this car over.

Will : [00:07:19] This episode was produced by Jacqui Fulton.  With help by Nick Capodice. Hannah McCarthy and Christina Phillips. Music in this episode by Blue Dot Sessions.

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Civics Shorts: The Census

Every ten years the United States government tries to count every person in the country with a census. What is the census? Why does the government need to count people? Who is it doing the counting? Today’s Civics Short takes a closer look at the who, what, where, and whys of the Census.

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Transcript

NOTE: This transcript was generated using an automated transcription service, and may contain typographical errors.

Civics 101 Short

The U.S. Census

Hannah McCarthy : [00:00:00] Hello, dear listeners. Hannah McCarthy here.

Nick Capodice: [00:00:03] Nick Capodice here. Today, we're bringing you our latest installment of Civics Shorts.

Hannah McCarthy : [00:00:07] A bite sized refresher on the United States Census. It's created with middle schoolers in mind.

Nick Capodice: [00:00:13] But anyone with an appetite for learning, and pie, should enjoy official score.

Archive Video: [00:00:18] Keeper of American Development for one hundred and fifty years has been busy but unspectacular United States.

Christina Phillips: [00:00:26] Wht?!, this guy in here. The census is spectacular.

The Count: [00:00:30] One, two, three- ah, the census my favorite time of the decade! Ah Ah Ah 

Jacqui Fulton: [00:00:39] I'm Jacqui

Christina Phillips: [00:00:40] I'm Christina.

Jacqui Fulton: [00:00:42] Today on Civics Shorts we're going to talk about the census.

Bored Kid Counting: [00:00:44] 1440,1441,1442,1443

Jacqui Fulton: [00:00:52] The census is so much more than just a head count of every single person living in the United States and territories.

Christina Phillips: [00:00:58] It has a direct impact on all our lives. A lot is at stake.

Jacqui Fulton: [00:01:04] We're going to give you the what, the who, and the why of the U.S. Census.

Christina Phillips: [00:01:09] Buckle up, buttercups.

Archive Video: [00:01:13] Thousands of operators will sort and tabulate the millions of cards almost entirely with machines, mechanical marvels of accuracy and speed.

Jacqui Fulton: [00:01:23] First off, what is the U.S. Census? Why do we have it?

Christina Phillips: [00:01:27] Article one, Section two of the United States Constitution says the government has to count everyone in the country every 10 years.

Jacqui Fulton: [00:01:40] We count each person in all the homes, in all the neighborhoods across the country.

Christina Phillips: [00:01:46] Boomers, Gen Z, babies- everyone counts.

The Count: [00:01:50] Of course, everyone in your home counts.

Jacqui Fulton: [00:01:53] Other information is collected-. 

Christina Phillips: [00:01:55] Like your name

Jacqui Fulton: [00:01:55] Age

Christina Phillips: [00:01:56] Race

Jacqui Fulton: [00:01:57] Gender

Christina Phillips: [00:01:58] If you rent or own a home

Jacqui Fulton: [00:01:59] your marital status

Christina Phillips: [00:02:01] And more!

Jacqui Fulton: [00:02:03] And more!

Jacqui Fulton: [00:02:03]  Since 1907 the census has been completed by the Census Bureau. The Census Bureau is part of the U.S. Department of Commerce.

Archive Video: [00:02:12] The Census has presented a steadily broadly picture of the nation in its 10 year inventory. Congress has repeatedly extended the scope of census questionnaires to meet the growing complexity of American life.

Christina Phillips: [00:02:25] Throughout history, the U.S. Census has reflected the values of our society. For example-. 

Baby names video: [00:02:31] Noah, Jacob Mason, William-. 

Christina Phillips: [00:02:34] In the beginning, only the names of the heads of each household were surveyed-. 

Baby names video: [00:02:38] Daniel.

Christina Phillips: [00:02:39] In other words, mostly the men.

Archive Video: [00:02:43]  Ask the supplementary questions only for the member of the household whose name is on the marked line.

Jacqui Fulton: [00:02:49] Every so often a widow or single mom could get her name in there.

Mildred: [00:02:53] Mildred, spelled m i l d r e d.

Jacqui Fulton: [00:02:56] But it was rare. Women, children and extended families in the home were recorded as numbers.

Archive Video: [00:03:02] Now, what are the names of the other persons living here with you Mrs. Magee?

Mrs. Magee: [00:03:07]  Well, there's me.

Jacqui Fulton: [00:03:11] The modern census now counts every single human in the country as their own individual person and records their name.

Christina Phillips: [00:03:21] So why do we have a census in the first place?

Jacqui Fulton: [00:03:24] Federal funding and representation!

Jacqui Fulton: [00:03:28] I like to think of the census as the way to divvy up two pies, two delicious, hot, fresh out of the oven pies.

Martha Stewart: [00:03:37] Two pies.I just can't stop myself from making pies!

Christina Phillips: [00:03:42] Ok, so let's pretend you're throwing the party, a pie party. All the food is pie.

Jacqui Fulton: [00:03:45] Oh, my favorite kind of party!

Martha Stewart: [00:03:47] Now, this is a half a recipe of pate brisee. You're going to need about a half a cup of sugar-. 

Christina Phillips: [00:03:53] When you're baking you need to know how many people would be at the party. You also want to know how big a slice to serve each person. Everyone should get their fair share.

Archive Video: [00:04:02] The population of the United States is continually changing in number, location, and composition.

Jacqui Fulton: [00:04:08] So this census figures out who lives where and how big a slice of pie they should get.

Christina Phillips: [00:04:16] The first pie. I'm going to call this the blueberry pie is political representation.

Census Commercial: [00:04:21] There are 435 seats in the House of Representatives. These get distributed to the 50 states by population, and an accurate census response helps your state get the right amount of seats. States with smaller populations get at least one, while states with larger populations might get more.

Christina Phillips: [00:04:41] The second pie. We're gonna call it the strawberry rhubarb pie.

Jacqui Fulton: [00:04:45] It's the federal money pie. It's chock full of more than six hundred and seventy five billion dollars.

The Count: [00:04:52]  Counting everyone in your home helps support your neighborhood for the next ten years. By funding, things like schools, hospitals and buses. So count yourself and everyone in your home.

Christina Phillips: [00:05:03] So the census is used to decide how the six hundred and seventy five billion dollars should be divided among communities in the U.S. and territories.

Homer Simpson: [00:05:12] Mmm...Pie. 

Archive Video: [00:05:14] To enumerate and record the required information about every man, woman and child in the United States is an enormous task.

Christina Phillips: [00:05:24] Who are census workers?

Jacqui Fulton: [00:05:26] When the census first started in 1790, U.S. Marshals rode on horseback to every house and recorded, surveyed, the menfolk.

Archive Video: [00:05:36] Is there anyone else who isn't here at the present time?

Mrs. Magee: [00:05:39] Well, there's me...

Jacqui Fulton: [00:05:41]  Now census workers include people like-. 

Christina Phillips: [00:05:44] Data entry nerds, statisticians and census takers. People who go out into the field house to house.

Jacqui Fulton: [00:05:53] It sounds like a fun gig!

Christina Phillips: [00:05:55]  Some census takers have reported wild things out in the field.

Jacqui Fulton: [00:06:00] Chased by a baby lion. 

Christina Phillips: [00:06:04] Census form, eating goats. 

Christina Phillips: [00:06:11] Caught in the middle of a manhunt for an escaped prisoner and escorted by a bloodhound.

Police raid: [00:06:14] Come out with your hands up or the dog will bite you!

Christina Phillips: [00:06:22] Make sure you get counted for the 2020 census.It's easy!

The Count: [00:06:26] In 10 minutes. You can complete the census by calling or going online. Or return your form by mail. Ah, Ah, Ah.

Hannah McCarthy : [00:06:39] So in a pie shell, what is the U.S. Census?

Nick Capodice: [00:06:43] The census counts everyone who lives in the United States.

Hannah McCarthy : [00:06:46] Why a census?

Nick Capodice: [00:06:48] Because the data collected determine the number of seats each state has in the U.S. House of Representatives. And it is used to distribute billions in federal funds to local communities.

Hannah McCarthy : [00:06:57] Who conducts the census?

Nick Capodice: [00:06:58] The census is conducted by the Census Bureau, which is part of the U.S. Department of Commerce.

Hannah McCarthy : [00:07:03] I think you got it.

Noah Snead: [00:07:04] This episode was produced by Jacqui Fulton. With help by Nick Capodice, Hannah McCarthy, and Christina Phillips. Erica Janik is executive producer of Lemon Meringue Pies. Maureen McMurray bakes her classic apple pie, without actual apples. Music in this episode by Blue Dot Sessions.

Civics Shorts: The CDC

The CDC, or the Centers for Disease Control, has been in the news a lot lately. But what is the CDC? And what does it do? Today’s Civics Short takes a closer look at the who, what, where, and whys of the CDC.

Episode Resources

Explore the CDC website

Check out “The Winged Scourge” for yourself:

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Transcript

NOTE: This transcript was generated using an automated transcription service, and may contain typographical errors.

Civics 101 Short

The CDC

Nick Capodice: [00:00:00] Hello dear listeners Nick Capodice here. 

Hannah McCarthy: [00:00:02] Hannah McCarthy here.

Nick Capodice: [00:00:04] This is our second episode of what we're calling Civics Shorts.

Hannah McCarthy: [00:00:07] They are created with middle schoolers in mind.

Nick Capodice: [00:00:09] But, any human can listen to it of any age and get something out of it.

Hannah McCarthy: [00:00:13]  Because of the Coronavirus outbreak, and quarantining, and social isolation we thought a Short on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention might be helpful.

Nick Capodice: [00:00:22] So without further ado, the CDC brought to you by Jacqui Fulton. Enjoy.

Jacqui Fulton: [00:00:30] Do you remember the scene in Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs wehre Dopey has the flyswatter?

Disney: [00:00:36] Are there six or seven people in the audience who will volunteer to help us combat this evil? Good. Well, thank you men.

Jimmy Gutierrez: [00:00:47] Wait, what? I don't remember this scene.

Jacqui Fulton: [00:00:50] Well, that's because he's actually not from the movie.But is a public service announcement put out by the government starring the dwarfs.

Disney: [00:00:59] Before we can attack the enemy there are certain facts we must know. The first and all important fact is this, the anopheles mosquito must have water to lay her eggs in. All right men now we can begin to fight.

Jimmy Gutierrez: [00:01:13] Fight?

Disney: [00:01:15]  Yes, we've got to kill every one in the house.

Jacqui Fulton: [00:01:18] Dopey is trying to kill a mosquito that's landed on Grumpy's throat with that fly swatter. He lifts up his beard and whacks him in the neck. Grumpy returns the favor by hitting Dopey over the head with a chisel. This video is called Winged Scorge, a public service announcement about the prevention of malaria.

Jimmy Gutierrez: [00:01:41] Oh just thinking about this is making me itch.

Jimmy Gutierrez: [00:01:44] During World War II 60,000 soldiers died. Not on the battlefield, but from Malaria.

Army PSA: [00:01:52] This is Corregidor, where May 1942 soldiers of the United States Army were humiliated  as never before in their history. Prior to this surrender 85% of our men, 9 out of 10, had already surrendered to a different enemy. Who is that enemy? The malaria carrying mosquito.

Jimmy Gutierrez: [00:02:13] Okay, it sounds like something had to be done.

Jacqui Fulton: [00:02:15] In 1946 the government started a new department. Their mission, to get rid of malaria. I'm Jacqui.

Jimmy Gutierrez: [00:02:24] I'm Jimmy. Today on Civics 101 Shorts, we're gonna give you the who, why, and how of the new malaria fighting department, The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention- or the CDC?

Jacqui Fulton: [00:02:38] The CDC is part of the Department of Health and Human Services.

Jimmy Gutierrez: [00:02:42] And is headquartered in the ATL, Atlanta, Georgia, once a hotspot for malaria in the U.S.

Jacqui Fulton: [00:02:48] But the CDC doesn't just work in the United States.They help folks across the world.

CDC Video: [00:02:54] Right here we are trying to get some samples from the bats because there's an outbreak right now. There's a current outbreak of rabies in cattle in this area...

Jimmy Gutierrez: [00:03:04]  Because diseases spread.

Jacqui Fulton: [00:03:06] And the CDC wants to stop them in their tracks-. 

Jimmy Gutierrez: [00:03:09] Before they get the chance to infect Americans.So in 1946, when the CDC was created, they swung into action to fight malaria.

Jacqui Fulton: [00:03:21] They sprayed insecticides, passed out mosquito nets-. 

Jimmy Gutierrez: [00:03:25] Provided medication, educated folks on getting rid of any standing water-. 

Jacqui Fulton: [00:03:29] In three years malaria was under control in the United States.

Jimmy Gutierrez: [00:03:33] The CDC moved on to fight the other big health battles at the time.

Jacqui Fulton: [00:03:36] Sexually transmitted diseases and tuberculosis.Who. The CDC has super high tech labs, including an insectary.

Jimmy Gutierrez: [00:03:47] Oh, a lab full of bugs.

Jacqui Fulton: [00:03:49]  Because insects carry so many diseases.

CDC Video: [00:03:52] Inside the CDC insectary researchers are working on ways to keep people healthy by reducing the transmission or spread of malaria in areas where it occurs. And to ensure this disease doesn't return to the places where it no longer exists.

Jimmy Gutierrez: [00:04:09] All kinds of people work for the CDC.

Jacqui Fulton: [00:04:10] Doctors 

Jimmy Gutierrez: [00:04:12] Lawyers 

Jacqui Fulton: [00:04:13] Communications specialists.My favorites are called Disease Detectives.How.

Jimmy Gutierrez: [00:04:21]  You've probably seen doctors on TV wearing big hazmat suits.

News Anchor: [00:04:24] Then you've got to get into the suit and get it off without touching any of the dirty surfaces.

Jacqui Fulton: [00:04:30] Part of their tactics is going into places with breakouts and treating diseases.

Jimmy Gutierrez: [00:04:36] They track down who's had contact with the disease so they can control the spread of it.

CDC Video: [00:04:42] We can help countries to pick up new threats, to confirm them in the laboratory, to investigate clusters of disease, and ultimately to treat patients and contain a new disease threat before it spreads around the world. Diseases cross borders and what happens...

Jacqui Fulton: [00:05:00] But the CDC doesn't just treat diseases.

Jimmy Gutierrez: [00:05:03] A huge part of their mission is to prevent disease outbreaks in the first place.

Jacqui Fulton: [00:05:07] The best way to do that is by educating people on how to avoid getting sick.

Jimmy Gutierrez: [00:05:12] Like with the coronavirus.

CDC Video: [00:05:14] I'm Dr. Nancy Messineo from CDC. It's really important that we protect those who are most vulnerable to Covid 19, and that's older adults and people with underlying illnesses.

CDC Video: [00:05:26] Cover your cough and sneezes. Wash your hands often avoid sharing personal items.

Jacqui Fulton: [00:05:32] Why. 

Jimmy Gutierrez: [00:05:34] People need protection from disease and need scientific information on health threats. It saves lives.Remember all those soldiers dying from malaria? Another thing the CDC does is help you prepare for travel abroad, to know what diseases you might need, vaccinations or medications you'll need before you go.

Jacqui Fulton: [00:06:01] The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is tasked with protecting you, our nation and our world. Just ask Dopey while they teach him how to battle malaria carrying mosquitoes.

Disney: [00:06:14] Attaboy Dopey. Kill her good and dead. 

Nick Capodice: [00:06:26] So to summarize, the CDC is an extremely important agency.

Hannah McCarthy: [00:06:30] Who are they? They're scientists and doctors and they do all kinds of different jobs.

Nick Capodice: [00:06:35] And how do they help? They control and treat diseases. They educate people to prevent the disease from happening in the first place.And why do we need the CDC?

Hannah McCarthy: [00:06:42] Because to do everything else we do as Americans we've got to have our health. This episode was produced by Jacqui Fulton with Jimmy Gutierrez. Erika Janik is NHPR's editorial flyswatter. Maureen McMurray runs a wellness blog but I'm not allowed to tell you the name.

Nick Capodice: [00:06:56] And by the way, if you'd like to see the Disney film Winged Scourge with doping in the flyswatter, a link is in the show notes and on our website. It is truly something to behold.

Hannah McCarthy: [00:07:05] Civic shorts are brought to you in part by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting and are a production of NHPR, New Hampshire Public Radio.

Introducing Civics Shorts: Running for President

A presidential election occurs every four years in this country. But how do you actually run for president? Who gets to do it? How do you launch a campaign? What’s the election process? We’ve got answers!

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Transcript

NOTE: This transcript was generated using an automated transcription service, and may contain typographical errors.

Civics 101 Short

Running For President

Hannah McCarthy: [00:00:02] Hello, dear far flung listeners. Hannah McCarthy here.

Nick Capodice: [00:00:05]  Nick Capodice here. 

Hannah McCarthy: [00:00:07] Life has changed pretty drastically for most of us in the past couple of weeks. As we all try to figure out new ways of working, of learning, of parenting, of just plain talking to each other. Civics 101 is also going to adapt to the times.

Nick Capodice: [00:00:23] We're going to be asking you what you want and what you need in the coming weeks so we can answer your most pressing questions and arm you with information. Understanding how this country works has never been more important. We'll be answering you directly, releasing new content and keeping this community close and informed. To that end, we're asking any and all teachers out there to fill out the shortest survey ever to guide our production in the coming weeks. It'd be a huge favor to us. It's at the top of our Web site, Civics 101 podcast dot org. 

Hannah McCarthy: [00:00:53] Also, as part of this effort we'll be featuring the occasional Civics short, from our lovely and talented producer Jacqui Fulton. Jacqui's kicking off the Shorts project with a quick and dirty on how to run for president.

Nick Capodice: [00:01:05] Alright let's go.

President John F Kennedy: [00:01:12] John Fitzgerald Kennedy, do solemnly swear-. 

Judge: [00:01:14] That your reaction to the offer from president of the United States, I will faithfully execute the office of president of the United States.

Jacqui Fulton: [00:01:22] Have you ever dreamed about being president.

Jimmy Gutierrez: [00:01:24] Oh my god, who hasn't?

Jacqui Fulton: [00:01:26] I'm Jacqui

Jimmy Gutierrez: [00:01:27] I'm Jimmy.

Jacqui Fulton: [00:01:28] This is Civics 101. We're going to tell you how to become president of the United States in five easy steps.

Jimmy Gutierrez: [00:01:35] Step one, you've got to meet the qualifications to run. So, were you born in the U.S.?

Jacqui Fulton:[00:01:40] Yes.

Jimmy Gutierrez: [00:01:41] Have you lived in the U.S. for the past 14 years?

Jacqui Fulton: [00:01:44] Yep.

Jimmy Gutierrez: [00:01:44] Are you 35 or older?

Jacqui Fulton: [00:01:45] How dare you, sir?! 

Jimmy Gutierrez: [00:01:47] Congratulations then you can officially run for president.

Jacqui Fulton: [00:01:50] I already have my announcement speech ready. Hi! I'm running for president of the United States of America. I promise you a puppy in every house. Vote for me, Jacqui. 

Jimmy Gutierrez: [00:02:03] I'm more of a cat kind of guy.

Jacqui Fulton: [00:02:04] Well, fine fine. I can throw a kitten in there for you.

Jimmy Gutierrez: [00:02:09] Step two campaigning. This is where you give a lot of speeches and you work on your message. Maybe you want to add cats to your platform?

Jacqui Fulton: [00:02:17]  Yes.

Jimmy Gutierrez: [00:02:18] There will be a bunch of other people in the race too. 

News Anchor: [00:02:20] Former Vice President Al Gore. Senator Barack Obama. Governor Bill Richardson. Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton...

Jacqui Fulton: [00:02:26] And all of these candidates will need a lot of money.

News Anchor: [00:02:31] And June 18th at the Washington Convention Center he raised a whopping twenty one and a half million dollars.

Jacqui Fulton: [00:02:37] Commercials, bumper stickers, signs, rallies, they're not free.

Nick Capodice: [00:02:42] The more popular you are, the more money people give to you.

Jacqui Fulton: [00:02:45] And the more money people give to you, the more popular you are.

Tamara Keith: [00:02:48] And when someone writes them a check- sends them a dollar, sends them $50- they can mark them down, not just as a supporter, but as a voter.

Jimmy Gutierrez: [00:02:57] So, if you're the most popular and you have the most money, you're also the most likely to win the presidential race.

Jacqui Fulton: [00:03:04] These days it can cost up to a billion dollars to run. Hey Jimmy will you give me a dollar?

Jimmy Gutierrez: [00:03:10] Sure,I'll give you a dollar.

Jacqui Fulton: [00:03:12] OK, how 900 million more dollars?

Jimmy Gutierrez: [00:03:16] I'm going to get back to you on that one. I still need to  look over your platform.

Jacqui Fulton: [00:03:20] That sounds fair.Sometimes campaigns run out of money.

Jimmy Gutierrez: [00:03:25]  And then it's game over.

Kamala Harris: [00:03:28] My campaign for president simply does not have the financial resources to continue. I'm not a billionaire. I can't fund my own campaign.

Jacqui Fulton: [00:03:36] So how does it get down to just me and the other person facing off?

Jimmy Gutierrez: [00:03:40] That's step three, presidential primaries.

News Anchor: [00:03:45] The primary elections in New Hampshire for delegates to the Democratic and Republican national conventions find candidates and campaign managers pulling no punches. This is the first real popularity test for the favorites.

Jacqui Fulton: [00:04:00] I think of the primaries as a small state election before the big national election. Not every state does a primary. Some do caucuses where people get together in a room and try to convince each other that their candidate is the best. But most states do primaries.

Jimmy Gutierrez: [00:04:16] And there are two big political parties in America, the Democrats and the Republicans.

Jacqui Fulton: [00:04:21] Each state holds its own primary election. So voters in each state can pick the one candidate they want to keep running for their party.

News Anchor: [00:04:30] New Hampshire hasspoken. And when the balance were totted up it was a clean sweep for General Eisenhower on the Republican side. And for Senator Estes Kefauver heading the Democratic slate.

Jacqui Fulton: [00:04:41]  Step four, the party's hold nominating conventions.

Chairman: [00:04:44] May we have order please?

Jimmy Gutierrez: [00:04:46] The conventions are like big splashy pep rallies that lasts for days.

Chairman: [00:04:50] There will be time for tooting of horns and other noisemakers later on.

Jimmy Gutierrez: [00:04:54] By this time the candidate for each party is usually decided.

Jacqui Fulton: [00:04:58] Thousands of people pack an arena and listen to speeches. On the very last day another vote is taken.

Jimmy Gutierrez: [00:05:06] Only special voters called delegates participate here.

Jacqui Fulton: [00:05:10] Delegates from each state stand together in a group.

Jimmy Gutierrez: [00:05:13] And one by one they announce their results.

Delegate: [00:05:15] The state of New Mexico, a land of enchantment, cast 5 Governor Reagan and 1 vote for Gov. Nelson Rockefeller.

Chairman: [00:05:25] The chair declares that the nominee of this convention for the presidency of the United States is Gerald R. Ford.

Jacqui Fulton: [00:05:36] Step 5, election Day. This happens in November.

News Anchor: [00:05:39] A record number of Americans, upwards of sixty seven million, go to the polls to elect a thirty fifth president of the United States.

Jacqui Fulton: [00:05:47] Surprise! I'm the new president elect!

Jimmy Gutierrez: [00:05:55] It would be sad if you lost in your own daydream.

Jacqui Fulton: [00:05:58] True, but it was a close race. Jimmy, because you've been my biggest and only supporter, I nominate you as my Secretary of Feline Affairs.

Jimmy Gutierrez: [00:06:09] Aw!

Jacqui Fulton: [00:06:09]  Congratulations!

Jimmy Gutierrez: [00:06:11] Meow. Aw hey buddy.Meow.

Hannah McCarthy: [00:06:20] Think you got it Nick?

Nick Capodice: [00:06:22] I think so. First of all, qualify. Then campaign. Run in the primary. Win that nomination. And then the all important election day.

Hannah McCarthy: [00:06:32] Easy. Just kidding.It's very very difficult. Many thanks to Jacqui Fulton for this Civics Short. And to Jimmy Gutierrez for all of his help. Music in this Short by Blue Dot Sessions. You can listen to all of what Civics 101 has to offer at Civics 101 podcast dot org.

Nick Capodice: [00:06:48] Civics 101 is supported in part by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. It is a production of NHPR, New Hampshire Public Radio.