Extra Credit Due 1/24 and 1/25

Task: Create a primer (i.e. fancy word for guide) to the 2012 United States Election, focusing on the Presidential portion of the election.  The primer should be in the form of a magazine or a brochure and should preferably be created using Microsoft Word, Microsoft Publisher, or some other comparable type of software. The primer should be written in an accessible, entertaining and non-academic way that would appeal to the average American reader, not just the average American college professor.

Components: The primer must include a number of required sections, and may include any additional sections you choose to add on your own.  The list below represents the required sections.

1. Guide to the Candidates-For each of the required candidates, give a brief biographical sketch of their political or professional history, and then discuss their specific ideas and beliefs on major issues.  Include at least one picture of the candidate with the description.  Required candidates: Barack Obama, Mitt Romney, Newt Gingrich, Jon Huntsman, Ron Paul, Michelle Bachman, Rick Perry, and three non-Republicans and Democrats of your choice.
This website is a good starting point for research: http://www.cnn.com/ELECTION/2012/campaign-issues.html
The following website will help you greatly: http://elections.nytimes.com/2012/primaries/candidates
This one will as well: http://uselectionnews.org/category/candidate-spotlight/
In addition, I would recommend going to all of the candidates official websites for any additional information.

2. Guide to the Issues-What will the major issues of the 2012 Presidential Campaign be?  Which of these issues will be most important.  Research these questions and present what you find in the second part of your primer.
Again, the CNN Election page is pretty useful on this topic: http://www.cnn.com/ELECTION/2012/campaign-issues.html

3. Guide to Money!: Which candidates have raised the most money (pick the top five)?  What major sources (i.e.States) has their money come from?  How do the fundraising accomplishments of these candidates compare with past Presidential candidates?
This site is key completing this: http://elections.nytimes.com/2012/campaign-finance?hp&ref=politics#canda=barack-obama&candb=rick-perry

4. Your Endorsement: What candidate do you most support?  Why?  What is it about this candidate that you think will make them the best pick to lead our country?

5. Your Prediction: Who do think will actually win, and why?

Primer should be accessible, informative, textually-rich, and graphically-rich.  Please provide a list of all resources used on the last page of your primer.