Includes index.

Introduction. Part I: Politics and You. Chapter 1: It's Politics, Baby! Chapter 2: The Money versus Vote Analysis. Part II: Making Your Voice Heard. Chapter 3: Be a Part of the Solution -- Vote! Chapter 4: Contributing Your Time or Money. Chapter 5: Telling Politicians What's on Your Mind. Chapter 6: Getting Political on the Internet. Part III: Politics Is a Team Sport. Chapter 7: Partying with Politics. Chapter 8: Taking Sides. Chapter 9: Joining a Special Interest Group. Part IV: It's All Marketing. Chapter 10: Harry Handler Meets Carly Candidate. Chapter 11: Selling the Candidates, Warts and All. Chapter 12: Truth in Advertising. Chapter 13: Casting That Vote! Part V: Let the Campaigns Begin! Chapter 14: Who Says Talk Is Cheap? (Where Your Contribution Goes). Chapter 15: For Whom the Campaign Polls. Chapter 16: Dodging the Issues: What You Can Do. Chapter 17: Campaigning For Your Vote. Chapter 18: Negative Campaigning: The Dark Side of Politics. Chapter 19: The Money Thing: Is Reform Possible? Part VI: Presidential Politics. Chapter 20: Throwing Their Hats In the Ring. Chapter 21: Getting the Party Started: National Party Conventions. Chapter 22: The Electoral College and the 2000 Presidential Election. Chapter 23: Some Really Big Shoes: Electing a President. Part VII: The Part of Tens. Chapter 24: The Ten Commandments of Modern Politics. Chapter 25: Ten Things to Teach Your Children About Politics. Chapter 26: Ten Common Political Mistakes. Chapter 27: Ten (or so) Quotable Quotes. Appendix: State Voting Requirements. Index.

Whether you understand politics or not, it still affects your life in very real ways. But American politics can be confusing. What's a caucus' How do primaries work' How can you sift through all the babble to get to the truth'Politics For Dummies offers all these answers and more. And it's not just for political novices; even those with a firm understanding of politics can use this book to fill out their knowledge of the little complexities - from how the Electoral College works to campaign contribution limits. If you have little or no knowledge of politics, don't worry. Most people need answers just like you do, that's why this book helps you:Pick the candidate who best represents your viewsDonate time or money to a campaignLet your representatives know how you feelRun for office yourselfThis simple, friendly guide offers the kind of straight talk on politics you won't get from a politician. It covers the nuts and bolts of the political process so you'll have a working knowledge of the system. It shows you how to get involved at the grass-roots level and explains the rationale behind the two-party system. It helps you parse the propaganda to get at the truth and offers a complete explanation of presidential politics. Politics For Dummies covers these topics and many more:How public opinion polls workHow money influences policyWhy your opinion really does countHow to donate to political campaigns and causesContacting your representativesPolitics on the InternetChoosing parties and candidatesLobbyists and special interest groups How candidates sell themselvesHow negative campaigning worksWhat happened in the 2000 presidential electionYou'll also find fun and helpful extras like famous political quotes, the ten things you should teach your children about politics, and voting requirements for every state. Democracy won't work for if you don't participate in it. So pick up Politics For Dummies, get informed, and get involved. Your country will thank you!