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As Leader of the Opposition, Pearson hired a pollster to conduct surveys for his Liberal party. It was the same pollster who had worked for the very popular President of the United States, John F. Kennedy. Based on the survey results, Pearson was directed by advisers around him to change his image. Away went the bowtie, to be replaced by a straight tie. The era of pollsters and “spin doctors” arrived on the scene in Canadian politics.

Working in a triad, students will select a political leader and assume the role of being their personal “spin doctor.” They will design a survey to gather information by which they can advise their politician.

Students will research to obtain information on the most effective ways to construct their survey. They should address personal appearance, media presence, gestures and language, position on public issues, and any other issues they feel would help their politician’s image.

After surveying a sampling of fellow students, friends, and family, they analyze their results and identify suggestions they can make to their politician to improve their image.

Triads will present their suggestions in a scenario in which students play the roles of the politician, the pollster, and the “spin doctor.” The interaction among the characters should include an explanation of the survey and its results, why certain suggestions are being made, and the political leader’s reactions to all of the ideas. The political leader should also demonstrate how the suggestions will be incorporated into his or her public image.

Invite each group to present to the class. After each presentation, groups discuss the role-playing scenarios and critically analyze which suggestions they feel are legitimate and which are just media hype. As a class, create a list of dos and don’ts that politicians should follow in taking suggestions from pollsters and “spin doctors.”