Best Man for the Job: Grace for President by Kelly DiPucchio

On Monday morning in September Mrs. Barrington rolled out a big poster with all the presidents' pictures on it.

Grace Campbell could not believe her eyes.

WHERE ARE THE GIRLS?

To Grace and the other astonished girls, whose living memories barely extend back to George W. Bush's first term, Mrs. Barrington's explanation that there has NEVER been a woman president hits like ice water in the face. Suddenly those girls, used to seeing female faces in positions of prominence, are perplexed.

Grace sat at her desk and stewed. No girls? Who'd ever thought of such a thing!

Finally she raised her hand.

"I've been thinking it over, and I'd like to be president."

Going for the teachable moment, Mrs. Barrington comes right back with a living lesson. Complementing Grace's "star-spangled idea," she announces that their class will hold an election for class president. When no other students announce their candidacy, Grace is elated. "Becoming president is going to be easy," she thinks.

But the campaign trail becomes a bit rockier the next morning when Mrs. Barrington announces that Mrs. Waller's class is going to be join the election and introduces their candidate, Thomas Cobb. Thomas is a formidable candidate with a lot of constituents: he's the spelling bee champ, science fair winner, and captain of the soccer team--and, he's a boy! When Grace's poster go up with the slogan "MAKE HISTORY--VOTE FOR GRACE!" Thomas plays the gender card with his slogan "ELECT THOMAS--THE BEST MAN FOR THE JOB!"

When Mrs. Barrington explains the electoral college and lets each student draw a state to represent, Thomas is gleeful. He quickly calculates that if all the "male" states deliver their electoral votes, he's going to win. Certain that he's secured his base already, Thomas studies spelling words at recess, plans his latest science experiment at lunch, and practices soccer after school.

Meanwhile, Grace campaigns hard, making speeches at recess, handed out cupcakes at lunch, and holding rallies after school. She also gets to work on fulfilling her promises, volunteering in the cafeteria to improve the food, organizing a safety squad to foil bullying, and leading an active school beautification program from the business end of a paintbrush.

When the "electoral college" meets, the voting breaks sharply along gender lines. Finally, the tally stands at 268 for Thomas Cobb and 267 for Grace, with only Wyoming, represented by elector Sam, left to cast his votes. Thomas can't help grinning, and Grace feels sick.

Sam cleared his throat. "The Equality State of Wyoming casts its three electoral votes for...Grace Campbell!"

"I thought you were the best person for the job," Sam admits.

My name is Grace Campbell, and when I grow up, I'm going to be President of the United States," the successful candidate announces.

Kelly DiPucchio's Grace for President is a timely classroom story which will be a useful jumping-off place for social studies units on the presidential election, covering thoroughly as it does both the history and mystery of the electoral college and the social issues involved with candidates and their constituencies. An appended Author's Note provides additional historical information about the electoral college and how it relates to the popular vote.