American Politics
Respond to Parts I through IV.

PART I: POLITICAL THIRD PARTIES

Watch the following video Crashing the Parties 2004:

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this is a media comment

Discuss in SUFFICIENT DETAIL three (3) significant aspects of the video.

PART II: AMERICAN INTEREST GROUPS

Interest groups are defined as an association organized to pursue a common interest by bringing pressure on the political process. For your reference, here is a website that includes a list of interest groups:

http://www.twyman-whitney.com/americancitizen/links/lobbies.htm

Select an interest group and discuss its purpose. What is the group trying to accomplish? Why did you select this particular interest group? How does the group use the internet and technology to advocate, lobby, and advance its POLICY and POLITICAL cause(s)?

PART III: POLITICAL BLOGS

“Blogs” are defined as internet websites used to form networks of people to support a political candidate or to share views on a common political issue. Blogs are also being used in contemporary political campaigns and represent important fundraising innovations in presidential campaigns (Wasserman, 2006; p. 289). Identify a political blog (include the website) and provide an overview of the blog. The blog could be provided by one of the linkage institutions (e.g. interest groups, media, and political parties). What is the purpose of the blog? What political issues and platforms are being discussed? Why did you select this blog? Also for your reference, if you scroll down to the bottom of the Huffington Post website, you will find several news sources, blogs, and columnists:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/

PART IV: YOUR OWN POLITICAL INTERESTS

This part is based on your political, professional, and academic interests. If you were asked to begin a political blog or interest group, discuss the political focus of your blog or interest group and what you would want to accomplish. In other words, what political goals, public policies, and laws would you want to advance? Why are these issues important to you and your community?