Politics 101 - National Politics
Let's start this off simply. There are basically three types of people you vote for nationally your Representative (Congressman/Congresswoman), your Senators and the President.
Representatives serve a district. Number of districts vary from state to state. Here in Georgia there are 12 districts which means we have 12 representatives. However you only get to vote for one based on your address. For example I am in the 6th District which means my current representative is Johnny Isakson (R), Candidates for my district this year include: Al Beverly (R), Chris Chatwood (R), Chuck Clay (R), Roger Hines(R), Kevin Johns (R), Robert Lamutt (R) and Tom Price (R).
The House of Representatives is run (presided) over by the Speaker of the House. Currently the Speaker of the House is Speaker Dennis Hastert (R). There are other leadership position for each party Tom DeLay (R) is the majority leader and Nancy Pelosi (D) is the Democratic Leader.
Senators serve a state. Each state has two senators. Currently the senators for the state of Georgia are Saxby Chambliss (R) and Zell Miller (D). The U.S Senate is run by the President of the Senate, which happens to be the Vice President of the United States. Currently the President of the Senate and VP is Richard B. Cheney. Then there is the President Pro Tempore, which is Ted Stevens (R). Followed by the majority leader, Bill Frist (R) and the Minority Leader, Tom Daschle (D).
Finally we have the big dog, The President of the United States (POTUS).. Currently our President is George W. Bush (R). Presidents choose a Vice President and you vote for the pair.
In 2004 the presidential nominees are:
George W. Bush/Richard Cheney - Republican
John Kerry/John Edwards - Democrat
Michael Badnarik/Richard Campagna - Libertarian
Ralph Nader/Peter Camejo - Independent/Green
Representatives serve a district. Number of districts vary from state to state. Here in Georgia there are 12 districts which means we have 12 representatives. However you only get to vote for one based on your address. For example I am in the 6th District which means my current representative is Johnny Isakson (R), Candidates for my district this year include: Al Beverly (R), Chris Chatwood (R), Chuck Clay (R), Roger Hines(R), Kevin Johns (R), Robert Lamutt (R) and Tom Price (R).
The House of Representatives is run (presided) over by the Speaker of the House. Currently the Speaker of the House is Speaker Dennis Hastert (R). There are other leadership position for each party Tom DeLay (R) is the majority leader and Nancy Pelosi (D) is the Democratic Leader.
Senators serve a state. Each state has two senators. Currently the senators for the state of Georgia are Saxby Chambliss (R) and Zell Miller (D). The U.S Senate is run by the President of the Senate, which happens to be the Vice President of the United States. Currently the President of the Senate and VP is Richard B. Cheney. Then there is the President Pro Tempore, which is Ted Stevens (R). Followed by the majority leader, Bill Frist (R) and the Minority Leader, Tom Daschle (D).
Finally we have the big dog, The President of the United States (POTUS).. Currently our President is George W. Bush (R). Presidents choose a Vice President and you vote for the pair.
In 2004 the presidential nominees are:
George W. Bush/Richard Cheney - Republican
John Kerry/John Edwards - Democrat
Michael Badnarik/Richard Campagna - Libertarian
Ralph Nader/Peter Camejo - Independent/Green