Nominations and Nominations and CampaignsCampaigns

The Perfect CandidateThe Perfect Candidate

List all the characteristics of the List all the characteristics of the Perfect Presidential CandidatePerfect Presidential Candidate

The Perfect Candidate

The Things voters look for in a Presidential Candidate

1. Physical Appearance Hair, Height, Photogenic Male Age (variable but important)

2. Government Experience Governors do best historically

3. Near Moderate Range of views But Not Wishy-Washy Cannot alienate base

The Perfect CandidateThe Perfect CandidateThe Things voters look for in a Presidential The Things voters look for in a Presidential

CandidateCandidate

4.4. Clear ConvictionsClear Convictions To get the nomination – must be To get the nomination – must be

on left or righton left or right To please the public in general - To please the public in general -

Definitive position on certain Definitive position on certain issuesissues

5.5. CharismaCharisma Infectious OptimismInfectious Optimism Serious on issues but …Serious on issues but … Willing to laugh at self …Willing to laugh at self … But able to stand up against But able to stand up against

criticismcriticism

The Perfect CandidateThe Perfect CandidateThings that matter in winningThings that matter in winning1.1. Where you liveWhere you live

2.2. ConnectionsConnections Related to the well-connectedRelated to the well-connected Harvard – YaleHarvard – Yale Council on Foreign RelationsCouncil on Foreign Relations Large personal wealthLarge personal wealth Strong OrganizationStrong Organization

3.3. FamilyFamily Spouse, children, petSpouse, children, pet

Two Basic Types of Elections in the Two Basic Types of Elections in the USUS

1. Primary Elections and Caucuses1. Primary Elections and Caucuses Video: Primaries, Caucuses, and ConventionsVideo: Primaries, Caucuses, and Conventions Members of the Party vote to determine Members of the Party vote to determine

who will be the candidate of the Party in who will be the candidate of the Party in the General Election.the General Election.Almost all candidates chosen by Primary.Almost all candidates chosen by Primary.

In Presidential Primaries, delegates to In Presidential Primaries, delegates to the party’s National Convention are the party’s National Convention are determineddeterminedTypes of Presidential Primaries:Types of Presidential Primaries:

Open, Closed, BlanketOpen, Closed, Blankethttp://www.co.gem.id.us/election/prior-http://www.co.gem.id.us/election/prior-

elections/2008/2008-primary-sample.pdfelections/2008/2008-primary-sample.pdf

CaucusCaucus Meeting of all state party leaders for Meeting of all state party leaders for

selecting delegates to national party selecting delegates to national party conventionconvention

Old -State parties select delegates to Old -State parties select delegates to convention by caucusconvention by caucus

Control who went to convention and how Control who went to convention and how delegates voteddelegates voted

Today – open to all voters who are Today – open to all voters who are registered with partyregistered with party

Organized like a pyramidOrganized like a pyramid

2. General Elections2. General Elections The general electorate votes to determine The general electorate votes to determine

which of several candidates will hold officewhich of several candidates will hold office

Open or Closed?Open or Closed?

Warm UpWarm Up

1. What is a caucus, and how does it 1. What is a caucus, and how does it work?work?

2. What is a primary, and how does 2. What is a primary, and how does it work?it work?

3. Which is better? Why do you 3. Which is better? Why do you think so?hthink so?h

Homework ReadingHomework Reading

Pick up readingPick up reading After reading “My Vote Means After reading “My Vote Means

Nothing,” summarize Greenberg’s Nothing,” summarize Greenberg’s arguments as to how the primary arguments as to how the primary system has impacted elections.system has impacted elections.

What was the McGovern-Fraser What was the McGovern-Fraser Commission? Why was it created? Commission? Why was it created? What was the result?What was the result?

The NominationThe Nomination

1.1. Decide to RunDecide to Run2.2. Compete for DelegatesCompete for Delegates

a)a) Win majority of delegates’ support at Win majority of delegates’ support at conventionconvention

b)b) Role of National ConventionRole of National Convention1.1. Create party rules for next 4 yearsCreate party rules for next 4 years2.2. Choose nominees for President and VP Choose nominees for President and VP

and write platformand write platform

c)c) How to become a delegate - varies by How to become a delegate - varies by statestate

1.1. Party Boss systemParty Boss system2.2. Caucus systemCaucus system3.3. Primary systemPrimary system4.4. Superdelegate (Democratic party)Superdelegate (Democratic party)

Selecting Delegates…Selecting Delegates…

DemocratsDemocrats

1.1. Extra delegates to large statesExtra delegates to large states

2.2. All states-proportional All states-proportional representation>15% of state vote-receive representation>15% of state vote-receive some delegatessome delegates

RepublicansRepublicans

1.1. Extra delegates to loyal statesExtra delegates to loyal states

2.2. Proportional representation, delegates to Proportional representation, delegates to who wins each district and winner takes all who wins each district and winner takes all

AlabamaAlabama

RepublicanRepublican Open Primary – Tuesday, Feb 5Open Primary – Tuesday, Feb 5 Delegate Selection – District: Winner-Delegate Selection – District: Winner-

take-all; Statewide: Proportionaltake-all; Statewide: Proportional DemocraticDemocratic

Open Primary – Tuesday, Feb 5Open Primary – Tuesday, Feb 5 Delegate Selection – Proportional PrimaryDelegate Selection – Proportional Primary Sample ballot - Sample ballot -

http://www.co.baldwin.al.us/uploads/samhttp://www.co.baldwin.al.us/uploads/sample_ballot_Dem.pdfple_ballot_Dem.pdf

Evaluating Primary/CaucusesEvaluating Primary/Caucuses

1.1. DisproportionateDisproportionate attention goes to early attention goes to early caucuses/primaries: Iowa, New Hampshire-not caucuses/primaries: Iowa, New Hampshire-not representative of entire nation (??)representative of entire nation (??)

2.2. Full time job to run for President-difficult to take Full time job to run for President-difficult to take time awaytime away

3.3. MoneyMoney

4.4. Low participation in caucuses and primariesLow participation in caucuses and primaries

5.5. Too much power to the mediaToo much power to the media

Iowa and New HampshireIowa and New Hampshire

The NominationThe Nomination

3. Convention3. Convention A. Scripted – daysA. Scripted – days B. Party platformB. Party platform C. Official nomination and VP - chosenC. Official nomination and VP - chosen

The NominationThe NominationCritique the current system of Critique the current system of

nominationnomination ProsPros

1.1. Tests the candidates with real Tests the candidates with real people voting in primary statespeople voting in primary states

2.2. New Hampshire voters take their New Hampshire voters take their role and responsibility seriouslyrole and responsibility seriously Few presidential candidates win Few presidential candidates win the presidency without also the presidency without also winning New Hampshirewinning New Hampshire

The NominationCritique the current system of Critique the current system of

nominationnomination• Cons

1.Disproportionate attention to early primaries and caucuses (275 Edwards)

2.Time consuming for candidates 3.Role of Money4.Low participation,

Unrepresentative5.Front Loading6.Media Power

Based on these maps, what can you inferBased on these maps, what can you inferabout frontloading and Super Tuesday?about frontloading and Super Tuesday?

FrontloadingFrontloading

CampaignCampaign

Parties Aim Their Campaigns to the Middle Parties Aim Their Campaigns to the Middle

Campaign GameCampaign Game

1. 1. Media CoverageMedia CoverageTo get out the message and the imageTo get out the message and the image Free Coverage - The NewsFree Coverage - The News

Media eventsMedia events Staying on messageStaying on message Avoiding GaffsAvoiding Gaffs Debates or Open ForumsDebates or Open Forums

Paid CoveragePaid Coverage AdvertisementsAdvertisements

Print, Billboards,Yard SignsPrint, Billboards,Yard Signs Electronic (Radio, Television, Internet)Electronic (Radio, Television, Internet)

Bio-Bio- Issue- often funded by other groups, Issue- often funded by other groups,

PACsPACs

The Campaign GameThe Campaign GameNegative AdsNegative Ads

1.1. The public hate negative adsThe public hate negative ads2.2. Negative ads are effectiveNegative ads are effective

Public initial response Public initial response Delayed effectDelayed effect

Faulty memoryFaulty memory

How to limit effect of negative How to limit effect of negative adsads Immediate response adsImmediate response ads The “high road” does not workThe “high road” does not work

Dukakis in 1988Dukakis in 1988

Negative CampaignNegative CampaignReading QuestionsReading Questions

Why does the author believe that Why does the author believe that negative campaigning may drive negative campaigning may drive voters away?voters away?

Do you agree with this?Do you agree with this? What are the positives to negative What are the positives to negative

campaigning (if any)?campaigning (if any)?

Warm UpWarm Up

Political CartoonPolitical Cartoon

Cartoon 1Cartoon 1

Cartoon 2Cartoon 2

QuestionQuestion

What theme do these cartoons have What theme do these cartoons have in common?in common?

What do they, when combined, tell What do they, when combined, tell us about elections in America?us about elections in America?

A Valence Issue is one on which voters distinguish rival parties by the degree to which they associate each party or candidate with conditions, goals, or symbols the electorate universally approves or disapproves of. Examples are economic prosperity and political corruption.

Two Kinds of Campaign Issues: Position and Valence

Two Kinds of Campaign Issues: Position and Valence

A Position Issue is one on which the rival parties or candidates reach out for the support of the electorate by taking different positions on a policy question that divides the electorate. Example: Slavery or not

Impact of TV, Debates, and Direct Mail on Campaigns

A. Spots (paid advertising) can help little-known candidates become known

B. Voters get more information from spots than from news broadcasts

C. Visuals (news broadcasts) cost candidates nothing

D. Debates usually an advantage only to challenger; incumbent or frontrunner runs risk of gaffe

E. Direct Mail made easier by computers; mailings can be targeted; result in donations

Propaganda TechniquesPropaganda Techniques Labeling: Name calling. Ex. Un-Labeling: Name calling. Ex. Un-

AmericanAmerican

Glittering Generality:Glittering Generality:Vague or Broad Vague or Broad Statements, containingStatements, containinglittle or no substance.little or no substance.

Card Stacking:Card Stacking:

Giving only one side of the Giving only one side of the facts to support a candidatesfacts to support a candidatesposition.position.

Transfer:Transfer:Associating a patrioticAssociating a patrioticSymbol with a candidate.Symbol with a candidate.

Plain Folks:Plain Folks:

Identifying the candidate as just one Identifying the candidate as just one of the common people.of the common people.

Testimonial: A celebrity endorses a Testimonial: A celebrity endorses a candidate.candidate.

The Bandwagon:The Bandwagon:

Urging voters to support a candidate Urging voters to support a candidate because everyone else is.because everyone else is.

ExamplesExamples 1. A candidate goes to a park and shoots baskets with a 1. A candidate goes to a park and shoots baskets with a

group of youngsters.group of youngsters. 2. “Any one who doesn’t support the invasion of Iraq is a 2. “Any one who doesn’t support the invasion of Iraq is a

Communist.”Communist.” 3. “We are keeping the information about the invasions 3. “We are keeping the information about the invasions

secret in the interest of national security.”secret in the interest of national security.” 4. Lebron James is shown endorsing Nike shoes hoping you 4. Lebron James is shown endorsing Nike shoes hoping you

will buy the product because of him.will buy the product because of him. 5. A commercial claims you should drive a BMW because 5. A commercial claims you should drive a BMW because

you will show class, style, and enjoy the luxury failing to you will show class, style, and enjoy the luxury failing to mention the expensive purchase price and maintenance mention the expensive purchase price and maintenance bill.bill.

6. A commercial shows a herd of elephants going to a car 6. A commercial shows a herd of elephants going to a car dealership because they don’t want to miss the good deals.dealership because they don’t want to miss the good deals.

7. A politician is shown during a commercial standing next 7. A politician is shown during a commercial standing next to an American flagto an American flag

The Campaign GameThe Campaign Game

2. Organize2. Organize Campaign managerCampaign manager FundraiserFundraiser Campaign counselCampaign counsel Hire media and campaign consultantsHire media and campaign consultants Assemble campaign staffAssemble campaign staff Plan logisticsPlan logistics Research staff and policy advisersResearch staff and policy advisers Hire a pollsterHire a pollster Press SecretaryPress Secretary WebsiteWebsite

Finance ReformFinance Reform

HandoutHandout Pgs 200-208 WilsonPgs 200-208 Wilson Pgs 284-288 EdwardsPgs 284-288 Edwards Chart and articleChart and article http://www.nytimes.com/2010/09/21/us/http://www.nytimes.com/2010/09/21/us/

politics/21money.html?_r=2&th&emc=thpolitics/21money.html?_r=2&th&emc=th http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/

2010/10/08/us/politics/DONATE.html?2010/10/08/us/politics/DONATE.html?ref=politicsref=politics

MoneyMoney http://www.hippocampus.org/AP%20Government%20andhttp://www.hippocampus.org/AP%20Government%20and

%20Politics%20Politics Handout Handout Federal Election Campaign Act 1974Federal Election Campaign Act 1974: : Reform following Watergate ScandalReform following Watergate Scandal Provisions:Provisions: 1. Created the Federal Election Commission 1. Created the Federal Election Commission 2. Required full disclosure – over $1002. Required full disclosure – over $100 3. No foreign contributions3. No foreign contributions 4. Limited contributions – individual 1,000 per candidate – will be 4. Limited contributions – individual 1,000 per candidate – will be

raisedraised 5. Establish PAC – limit contributions5. Establish PAC – limit contributions 6. Federal Matching Funds6. Federal Matching Funds

Public funds come from the voluntary $3 check-off on your income Public funds come from the voluntary $3 check-off on your income taxes.taxes.

MoneyMoney 1976 Amendment – allowed corporations, 1976 Amendment – allowed corporations,

labor unions, and special interests to set labor unions, and special interests to set up political actions committees (PACs) to up political actions committees (PACs) to raise money for candidatesraise money for candidates Limited to one PACLimited to one PAC

Buckley v. Valeo (1976) limited amount Buckley v. Valeo (1976) limited amount candidate could spend on his or her candidate could spend on his or her campaign was unconstitutional campaign was unconstitutional

Perot to spend over $60 million of his own Perot to spend over $60 million of his own fortune on his independent presidential fortune on his independent presidential candidacy in 1992candidacy in 1992

John Kerry over $7 million in 2004John Kerry over $7 million in 2004

MoneyMoneyBipartisan Campaign Reform Act 2002 (McCain Feingold) Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act 2002 (McCain Feingold)

““Soft money”—unlimited contributions to party Soft money”—unlimited contributions to party organizations, not candidates, can only be used for organizations, not candidates, can only be used for “party building” but really used to promote campaigns“party building” but really used to promote campaigns

- Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act 2002 – (McCain Feingold Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act 2002 – (McCain Feingold Act)Act)- 1. Soft money banned1. Soft money banned- 2. Increased the amount that individuals could give to candidates - 2. Increased the amount that individuals could give to candidates -

$1,000-$2,000 and indexed that latter amount to rise in the future with $1,000-$2,000 and indexed that latter amount to rise in the future with inflationinflation

- 3. barred groups from running “issue ads” within 60 days of a general 3. barred groups from running “issue ads” within 60 days of a general election if they refer to a federal candidate and are not funded through a election if they refer to a federal candidate and are not funded through a PACPAC

but 527 group loophole was exploited in 2004 election:but 527 group loophole was exploited in 2004 election:

http://www.fec.gov/pages/brochures/http://www.fec.gov/pages/brochures/fecfeca.shtml#Commissionersfecfeca.shtml#Commissioners

MoneyMoney

Citizens United caseCitizens United case OutcomeOutcome

Overturned ban on corporation and unions Overturned ban on corporation and unions using own fundsusing own funds

Eliminated ban on electioneering Eliminated ban on electioneering communications within 30/60 dayscommunications within 30/60 days

Pros/Cons to Supreme Court decisionPros/Cons to Supreme Court decision

MoneyMoney

I.I. Advantages of incumbencyAdvantages of incumbency

1. Well-known1. Well-known

2. Raise money2. Raise money

3. Free publicity3. Free publicity

4. Credit claiming4. Credit claiming

http://www.fec.gov/http://www.fec.gov/