PRESIDENTIAL SELECTION

Framer’s Plan

Against selecting Pres by either way Congress Direct Popular Vote

Original Presidential Selection Congressmen would submit

2 electoral votes for different candidates

Most votes = Pres 2nd Most = V.P.

No longer the case, todays electoral college looks like this…

https://www.khanacademy.org/humanities/american-civics-subject/american-civics/v/electoral-college

Reframing the Pres. Election Presidential selection

changed because of… Rise of political parties

Differing attitudes on the role of the gov’t and the interpretation of the const gave rise to political parties.

Election of 1800 Parties nominated a Pres

and VP and the states elector candidates End result was a tie

The 12th amendment Separates Pres and

VP elections and gives presidential electors one vote for Pres and one for VP

Flaws of the Electoral College

Winner of the popular vote is not guaranteed the presidency

Electors are not required to vote in accordance with popular vote

Election might have to be decided by the House of Representatives

Reform the Electoral College The District Plan The Proportional

Plan Direct popular

Election National Popular

Vote

Presidential Nominations

Presidential Primaries

Helps determine the parties nominee (and weed out the rest)

Two responsibilities of Primaries Delegate selection

process Candidate preference

election

Proportional Representation % of vote won = % of the

states delegates

https://www.khanacademy.org/humanities/american-civics-subject/american-civics/v/primaries-and-caucuses

Caucuses

A closed meeting of members of a political party who gather to select delegates to the national convention Send delegates that

represent their beliefs

Fading selection process

National Conventions

Party committee picks a place and date

Delegates to each party’s convention adopt the party platform

Nominate their party’s presidential candidate

Ratify his/her choice of a VP running mate

Democratic Platform?http://www.ontheissues.org/democratic_party.htm

Republican Platform?http://www.ontheissues.org/republican_party.htm

Convention Objectives Promote party unity Capture interest

and attention of the country

Generate support for party’s campaign

What goes on during the convention? Welcoming delegates Adoption of party’s platform

and delivery of keynote address Keynote glorifies the party, its

history, its leaders, and its programs, blisters the other party and predicts a resound victory for the party

Rep (http://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=2012+republican+keynote+address+speaker&FORM=HDRSC3#view=detail&mid=647C11DE6A5C7BB98D51647C11DE6A5C7BB98D51 )

Dem (http://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=2012+democratic+keynote+address+speaker&qs=n&form=QBVR&pq=2012+democratic+keynote+address+speaker&sc=0-0&sp=-1&sk=#view=detail&mid=447C69348C9BA1C550A3447C69348C9BA1C550A3 )

Nominating the President and VP

Delegate chairs from each state then cast votes

Ends with speech from Presidential nominee

Why Choose that Candidate?

Political Experience Served as Governors,

Senators, Representatives

Other characteristics Protestants Large states Healthy appearance Great communication

skills Strong family

Incumbent Presidents have an immense advantage The majesty and

publicity of the office and close control of the party’s machinery

After the Convention

Both party’s candidates focuses on the opponent

Provides opportunities to compare and contrast candidates qualifications and plans for the future

The Race for Presidency

1-4 years before - Gaining visibility 1-4 years – fundraising for

campaigning Jan-June – Primaries and Caucuses Aug-Sept – National Conventions Sept-Nov – Debates Nov – Election day

Presidential Campaign Presidential

candidates try to persuade swing voters through

Speeches Advertisement Internet messages

They are driven by swing states that influence the electoral college

They use their organizational efforts, campaign funds, and appearances

Presidential Debates

The Election People do not cast

votes directly for one contender for the Presidency, instead they vote for presidential electors Our Congressmen are

“rubber stamps”

Need 270 of 538 of the electoral votes If neither reaches 270,

voting goes to house (1 vote per state)