This week we are going to take a break from American history and look at America today. A few months back we looked at the candidates for president of the United States and the key issues influencing their campaigns. If you look back at our original list of candidates, you'll see how the number has slowly diminished. We will be looking at the sites provided by CNN and USA Today to answer some of the questions regarding the elections.

I. Our Presidential Survey: Please look at the "Best Candidate" poll listed on our web page and answer the following questions:

1. How many people have cast their votes?

2. Name the four candidates with the most votes?

3. What percentage of the total votes does the top candidate have?

II. 2000 Elections: Use the following site provided by CNN to answer the questions below.

http://www.cnn.com/ALLPOLITICS/index.html

There is a pull-down menu bar marked "Election Links". Go to the site marked "What's at Stake"

4. What three issues are at stake in the coming elections?

5. Are sitting vice-presidents guaranteed election to the presidency? Give examples

6. What three issues are at the top of the public's agenda?

III. Current Status of Elections: Use the "Election Guide" section of the following USA Today Site

http://www.usatoday.com/news/politics/campfront.htm

7. Who are the six remaining candidates for presidency and what is each's party affiliation

8. How many more delegates do George Bush and Al Gore need to receive the nomination from the Republican and Democratic parties?

9. On which date will the most primaries/caucuses occur?

10. What were the results of the primaries occurring in Michigan and Arizona?

IV. Look at a website discussing reform of the current caucus/primary system at

http://www.nationalreferendum.org/whyprimary.html

11. What are some of the concerns with today's primary system?

12. What solution does this group propose?

V. Go to a recent survey by presidential historians at:

http://www.usatoday.com/news/washdc/ncssun02.htm#prez

13. Who is considered the greatest president of all time?

14. How many of the top five presidents' terms were during war?

15. Who is the lowest ranked president and why?