HOW TO BECOME A US PRESIDENT

American politicians say the way they elect president is one of the most open and democratic processes in the world. In some countries, the elections race takes just a few weeks, but in the United States, it Usually takes more than a year. "the road to the White House is a long road," says George W. Bush.

THE RULES

According to the US Constitution, a president, must be elected every four years. To become a US president, you must....

• Be 35 or older.

• Be a US citizen born in the USA.

• Have lived in the USA at least 14 years.

You can only serve two terms. This means you can only be president twice. This became law in 1951.

Many Americans think that when they cast their ballot, they are voting for their chosen candidate. In fact, they are selecting electors. The US president is not chosen by a direct vote of the people. He is elected by the 538 electors that make up what is called the Electoral College. The Electoral College refers to the total number of "electoral votes' from all the states. Altogether, there are 538 electoral votes and a candidate must win at least 270 of them to win the presidency.

STEP 1: GET YOURSELF NOMINATED!

The first step on the long road to the White House is primaries and caucuses.

Voters all over the country go to the polls to help each political party decide on a single candidate.

STEP 3: THE CAMPAIGN

TV, radio, and print advertisements are EVERYWHERE! The candidates travel up and down the country, giving speeches and appearing on TV.

A lot of celebrities usually take part in the campaign. They sing songs, make speeches and make telephone calls asking people to vote for their candidate.

The election campaign is a costly thing.

STEP 4: GREAT DEBATES

The candidates face each other in national debates. They have to answer difficult questions - about taxes, education, foreign policy.. Did they answer all this questions? Did they make good points? Did they look smart?

STEP 5: THE ELECTION DAY

The election is always held on Tuesdays - the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November. People in every state vote their choice for the new president.

STEP 6: MOVING -IN DAY!

On Inauguration Day, which is always held on January 20, Americans finally call the winner "Mr. President."

There is usually a parade and the new president usually makes a speech about his plans for the US.

From now on the new president will live in the beautiful White House and earn $200,000 a year.

Of course, his life isn't easy. The president has a lot of responsibilities and he must work very hard - in less than four years the race will start again.

EXERCISES

Ex. 2 Write the forms (Past Simple, Past Participle) of the following irregular verbs:

Ex. 3 Translate into Russian:

1. In the United States the election race usually takes more than a year.

2. To become a US president you must be a US citizen born in the USA.

3. Franklin D. Roosevelt became president in 1933 and was still president when he died in 1945.

4. The Electoral College isn't the usual kind of college with students and professors.

5. Americans have to choose from the list of candidates made by the party.

6. The party delegates create their party platforms.

7. George W. Bush spent $90 million on the election campaign.

8. The United States has two main political parties: The Democrats (the Donkey) and the Republicans (the Elephant).

9. The candidates answer questions about taxes, education, foreign policy, etc.

10. The president earns $200, 000 a year.

Ex. 4. Translate into English in writing:

1. В соответствии с Конституцией Соединённых Штатов, президент должен выбираться каждые четыре года.

2. В США избиратели выбирают кандидата из списка (list) кандидатов.

3. По всей стране избиратели идут на избирательные пункты.

4. Партийные делегаты выбирают своих кандидатов в президенты.

5. Кандидаты ездят по всей стране, произносят речи, выступают по телевидению.

6. Кандидаты должны ответить на сложные (трудные) вопросы.

7. Республиканцы обычно встречаются в Филадельфии.

8. Выборы всегда проводятся в первый вторник ноября.

9. Он четко выражает свою позицию.

10. Наконец, американцы называют победителя «Мистер Президент».

Ex. 5 Answer the following questions in writing (see the text):

1. How long does the election race in the United States last?

2. How often must a president be elected according to the US Constitution?

3 Do the Americans directly vote for their chosen candidate?

4 By whom is the US president elected?

5 What is the first step on the long road to the White House?

6 What do the party delegates gather for?

7 What do the candidates do during the campaign?

8 Is the election campaign a costly thing? Why?

9 What questions have to answer the candidates during great debates?

10 When is the election held?

I1 When is the inauguration held?

12 Where will the new president live?

13 How much money will he earn?

14 Is the president's life easy?

Ex.6. Put general and special questions to the following sentences in writing:

1. The election race in the USA takes more than a year.

2. This became law in 1951.

3. Americans are selecting electors.

4. Voters go to the polls all over the country.

5. The democrats meet in Loa Angeles.

6. George Bush spent $90 million on the election campaign.

7. The election campaign is a costly thing.

8. The president must work very hard.

9. In four years the race will start again.

10. The president lives in the White House in Washington.

ACTIVE WORDS

Date: 2015-01-02; view: 1565