Freedom Museum’s New Exhibit Takes Visitors Inside A Presidential Election
Exhibit Educates Americans on Election Process
Chicago, January 9
Do you have what it takes to be the next president? A new interactive exhibit - Vote4Me! Inside a Presidential Election - puts visitors into the shoes of a presidential candidate. The exhibit opens at the Freedom Museum on Nov. 9 and runs through Nov. 9, 2008 – the week Americans hit the polls to select their new leader. To celebrate the opening of the Vote4Me! exhibit, the Freedom Museum will offer free admission and voter registration services throughout 2008.
With only two months before early caucuses and primaries, the Vote4Me! exhibit
helps Americans and voters to understand the election process. Visitors get a
behind-the-scenes perspective of the fast-paced campaign season by working
their way from presidential hopeful to Commander in Chief.
“This is an opportunity for Americans to take a shot at being a leader of the free
world,” said Nathan Richie, director of exhibits, McCormick Tribune Freedom
Museum. “By going through the election process first hand, we hope that visitors
gain a better understanding of what goes into a campaign, which will ultimately
help them make better decisions come the real presidential election in November
2008.”
Upon entering the exhibit, visitors will meet their seasoned campaign staff that
includes a campaign manager, political director, communications director and
finance chair. The staff will advise on how to create a platform with popular
appeal, win important swing states, sharpen political rhetoric and raise funds to fill
campaign coffers.
Throughout the exhibit, visitors will have an opportunity to weigh in on key issues
facing candidates today including taxes, Iraq war, global warming and same-sex
marriage. Conversely, they will also see how those opinions impact their standing
with the public and are used as fuel for debate.
Other exhibit components include:
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- 270 votes…and Counting: An interactive map that allows visitors to create scenarios for different electoral outcomes.
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- Briefing Room: Learn to develop a campaign image; polish political rhetoric; and launch successful attack ads that mimic that of past predecessors.
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- Countdown: This section allows visitors to get informed on the 2008 presidential candidates through computers linked to existing Web sites that explore candidates and issues. Once the research is complete, visitors have the opportunity to vote.
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- Resource Guide: Provide links to election-related Web sites.
Learn more about the election process by visiting our online exhibit at www.FreedomMuseum.US.
To help support the election process, the Freedom Museum will serve as a location to register voters.
About the McCormick Tribune Freedom Museum
The McCormick Tribune Freedom Museum (
www.FreedomMuseum.US) inspires
generations to better understand, value and protect freedom. Through interactive
exploration, visitors gain a greater understanding of the struggle for freedom in the
United States and the role the First Amendment plays in society. The McCormick
Tribune Freedom Museum is part of the McCormick Tribune Foundation team,
which also includes the Robert R. McCormick Museum, Cantigny Park and Golf,
the Cantigny First Division Foundation and five grant making programs.
A focus on children, communities and country binds the Foundation and its many
parts and keeps us true to our mission of advancing the ideals of a free and
democratic society. To learn more, please visit
www.McCormickTribune.org.