And they're off!

Today was the first active day of the mock election simulation in Mrs. Ladson's mod 4/5 AP US Government class. Two parties have emerged. The first, the Surprise Party, has clearly defined itself as libertarian. The other, the People Party, has shifted back and forth between a liberal party and a so-called moderate party that appears to lean more conservative. The members of this party flop back and forth between their original party and the libertarian Surprise Party as the ideology shifts. Despite constant regroupings, there has been no sign of a third party forming.

Many of the starting members of the People Party either remain loyal and dissatisfied or, like Jamison , Krupa, and others, are now aligned with the Surprise Party as they discuss graffiti-ing U.S. currency, man-bear-pig, and potentially naming themselves (prior to deciding on the "Surprise Party") the "LAN-Party." The People Party is focused on designing a smear campaign. Paul is their smear campaign manager as a 527 interest group, and Ekta described herself as easily "smear-able." Party Platforms have been slow to develop, and there is much confusion surrounding the various roles. Much of the discussion has focused on names, slogans, mascots, and colors.

There are two pollsters- 1 is affiliated with the People Party. It will be interesting to see if their questions show bias.

The libertarian Surprise Party seems to estrange more members who are growing frustrated with their perceived lack of progress as plans progress. The People Party has grown more cohesive either due to their ability to focus and compromise or their overall apathetic moderate reaction to what some are describing as a coup d etat by present People Party member, Ekta. The party is extremely fearful of spies and potential leaking of information. The Surprise Party has seized this opportunity to send out a specialized recon unit.

Members of both parties have begun to block members of the opposing party from accessing their facebook profiles, though the idea originated with the Surprise Party.