AP+US+Government

** Summer Assignment 2011 ** ** “Hardball” by Chris Matthews ** ** For this assignment you will need to acquire this book (library or purchase –available on Google books for 12.99) and it will need to be read. Those of you participating in the Summer AP Prep Session through Malden High will want to have the majority of the book read before the fourth week of the program so that you can do your assignment during that time. **
 * AP US Government **

For each of the sections in the book, complete the following: Assignments must be completed and turned in the first day of class in August. There will an assessment in the first week of school and you will be applying the concepts learned in this book throughout the year.
 * 1) Explain the political principle (listed in quotes below) represented by the quote that begins each selection (at the top of the page under the principle).
 * 2) Explain how the principle supports Matthews’ overall definition of “hardball” as “…clean, aggressive Machiavellian politics. It is the discipline of gaining and holding power, useful to any profession or undertaking, but practiced most openly and unashamedly in the world of public affairs.”
 * 3) Identify and explain at least one argument and example that Matthews gives to support that principle.
 * 4) Identify and explain the application of the principle by a current political figure (e.g. President Barack Obama, Joe Biden, John Boehner, Eric Cantor, Harry Reid, Mitch McConnell, Nancy Pelosi, John Kerry, Scott Brown, Ed Markey, Deval Patrick, etc.).
 * Part I: Alliances
 * Pages 23-46
 * “It’s Not Who You Know; It’s Who You Get to Know.”
 * Pages 47-61
 * “All Politics is Local.”
 * Pages 62-75
 * “It’s Better to Receive Than to Give.”
 * Pages 76-88
 * “Dance with the One That Brung Ya.”
 * Part II: Enemies
 * Pages 91-104
 * “Keep Your Enemies in Front of You.”
 * Pages 105-115
 * “Don’t Get Mad: Don’t Get Even; Get Ahead.”
 * Pages 116-130
 * “Leave No Shot Unanswered.”
 * Part III: Deals
 * Pages 133-144
 * “Only Talk When It Improves the Silence.”
 * Pages 145-152
 * “Always Concede on Principle.”
 * Part IV: Reputations
 * Pages 155-167
 * “Hang a Lantern on Your Problem.”
 * Pages 168-180
 * “Spin!”
 * Pages 181-191
 * “The Press is Your Enemy.”
 * Pages 192-208
 * “The Reputation of Power.”
 * Pages 209-221
 * “Positioning.”