The The Election ProcessElection Process

Ch. 7Ch. 7

Why do people run for Why do people run for political office?political office?

““To run for president, a person To run for president, a person needs a ‘fire in the belly.’ For needs a ‘fire in the belly.’ For four years, that’s all I did. I four years, that’s all I did. I mean, all I did. That’s all you mean, all I did. That’s all you think about. That’s all you think think about. That’s all you think about…That’s your leisure. about…That’s your leisure. That’s your luxury…I told That’s your luxury…I told someone, ‘The question is not someone, ‘The question is not whether I can get elected. The whether I can get elected. The question is whether I can be question is whether I can be elected and not be nuts when I elected and not be nuts when I get there.”get there.”

Walter Mondale, former Senator and VP. 1984 Democratic Presidential candidate.

Why do people run for Why do people run for office?office?

Like the political processLike the political process

Why do people run for Why do people run for office?office?

Day to day Day to day

combat & debatecombat & debate

Why do people run for Why do people run for office?office?

– CIVIC DUTY CIVIC DUTY

Why do people run for Why do people run for office?office?

For fun!For fun!

Presidential Race…Presidential Race…

– It’s a two-year process now!It’s a two-year process now!

YAWN? YAWN?

OROR

POLITICAL JUNKIE POLITICAL JUNKIE

FIX?FIX?

AnnouncementAnnouncement

Summer 2006, (2-1/2 years before the Summer 2006, (2-1/2 years before the actual election,) they were already in actual election,) they were already in Iowa and New Hampshire!Iowa and New Hampshire!– Exploratory CommitteesExploratory Committees– Fund raisingFund raising– PollingPolling– Appearances Appearances (they all go to the Iowa State Fair!)(they all go to the Iowa State Fair!)

– Announcements started coming in the fall Announcements started coming in the fall 2 years before (2006).2 years before (2006).

Self-AnnouncementSelf-Announcement

Independent candidates self-Independent candidates self-announce. That’s how they get announce. That’s how they get their “nomination.”their “nomination.”

Ralph Nader, 2004 & 2008 Ross Perot, 1992

For & …For & …

They will have to go through a They will have to go through a primary/caucus process to get primary/caucus process to get their party’s nomination.their party’s nomination.

Straw PollsStraw Polls Iowa 8/13/2007Iowa 8/13/2007

– Results for Reps.Results for Reps. Mitt Romney 4,516 32%Mitt Romney 4,516 32% Mike Huckabee 2,587 18%Mike Huckabee 2,587 18% Sam Brownback 2,192 15%Sam Brownback 2,192 15% Tom Tancredo 1,961 14%Tom Tancredo 1,961 14% Ron Paul 1,305 9%Ron Paul 1,305 9% Tommy Thompson 1,039 7%Tommy Thompson 1,039 7% Fred Thompson 203 1%Fred Thompson 203 1% Rudy Giuliani 183 1%Rudy Giuliani 183 1% Duncan Hunter 174 1%Duncan Hunter 174 1% John McCain 101 1%John McCain 101 1% John Cox 41 0%John Cox 41 0% Total votes 14,302Total votes 14,302

Sometimes, they bus people in from other states to vote for them!

Straw PollsStraw Polls Texas 9/11/2007Texas 9/11/2007

– Results for Dems.Results for Dems. John Edwards 3,078 38%John Edwards 3,078 38% Barak Obama 1,701 21%Barak Obama 1,701 21% Hillary Clinton 1,620 20%Hillary Clinton 1,620 20%

Delegates matterDelegates matter

What’s a What’s a DELEGATE DELEGATE and why are and why are they important to the presidential they important to the presidential selection processselection process??

More delegate information at CNN.com

Delegate MathDelegate Math

*number accurate as of 6/2/08

(not counting Michigan or Florida.)

What’s on your pizza? 

Have you ever been with a large group of people trying to order a pizza? The process usually creates a difficult situation, as individuals want very different

things. Imagine your teacher has just told you that she or he is going to order a pizza for your entire class; however, your teacher presents your class with only two options for how you will go about choosing what you want on your pizza.

 1.     You have the choice between a pizza with cheese, pepperoni or pineapple. There is no discussion on this matter, just a simple vote. Each member of the

class will cast one vote.  

Or,  

2. You have the opportunity to discuss with your classmates what toppings you would choose for the pizzas and come to some sort of agreement on your own.

  

Which option would you choose, the first or second?

Why?

What are the advantages for each? Disadvantages?

Option 1—just Option 1—just votingvoting was the was the PrimaryPrimary..

Option 2—Option 2—discussingdiscussing was the was the CaucusCaucus..

Primaries & CaucusesPrimaries & Caucuses

Narrowing the field of candidates Narrowing the field of candidates in a party down to one; who the in a party down to one; who the

voters would like to be that party’s voters would like to be that party’s nominee at the convention.nominee at the convention.– PrimaryPrimary—like a regular election —like a regular election

(You’re in and you’re out.)(You’re in and you’re out.)– CaucusCaucus– group of like-minded people – group of like-minded people

who meet to discuss & decide who who meet to discuss & decide who they will support in an upcoming they will support in an upcoming election. Lasts all evening.election. Lasts all evening.

Iowa CaucusIowa Caucus

2000=Jan. 312000=Jan. 31 2004=Jan. 192004=Jan. 19 2008=Jan. 32008=Jan. 3

– Why do they keep moving it up???Why do they keep moving it up???

Types of PrimariesTypes of Primaries

OPEN: ANY qualified voter may OPEN: ANY qualified voter may take part. Do not have to declare take part. Do not have to declare a party. (only 15 states.) Dems. & a party. (only 15 states.) Dems. & Reps. can cross over. ---strategy!Reps. can cross over. ---strategy!

–CLOSED: (other 35 states) Only CLOSED: (other 35 states) Only declared party members may vote. declared party members may vote. Independents must choose between Independents must choose between Dems & Reps.Dems & Reps.

Republicans didn’t need Republicans didn’t need a a PresidentialPresidential primary in primary in 2004… Why not?2004… Why not?

Just because they Just because they didn’t have a didn’t have a presidential presidential primary, they may primary, they may have had a have had a primary for the primary for the other offices other offices (Senator, House, (Senator, House, Governor, etc.) Governor, etc.) where they was where they was more than one more than one person wanting to person wanting to run in their party.run in their party.

PrimariesPrimaries

Started earlier this year too!Started earlier this year too! New Hampshire=2000-- Feb. 8New Hampshire=2000-- Feb. 8

2004--Jan. 272004--Jan. 27

2008--Jan. 8 2008--Jan. 8

The Texas 2-stepThe Texas 2-step Under Texas Democratic rules, they Under Texas Democratic rules, they

have a 2-part election process.have a 2-part election process.– Primary (voting 7AM-7PM)Primary (voting 7AM-7PM)– Caucuses (conducted after polls close for Caucuses (conducted after polls close for

voting)voting) Most of these were very overcrowded this year Most of these were very overcrowded this year

and some lasted into the wee-hours of the next and some lasted into the wee-hours of the next morning!morning!

Who won the Texas 2-Who won the Texas 2-step in the Dem. step in the Dem. Party?Party? Clinton won the Clinton won the

primary.primary.– Clinton 50.9%Clinton 50.9%– Obama 47.4%Obama 47.4%

Obama won the Obama won the caucuses.caucuses.– Obama 56.2%Obama 56.2%– Clinton 37.8%Clinton 37.8%

Other states want in Other states want in the game!the game!

Michigan & Florida got into trouble Michigan & Florida got into trouble with the DNC for moving their dates up with the DNC for moving their dates up earlier than party rules allowed.earlier than party rules allowed.– Michigan voted Jan. 15Michigan voted Jan. 15– Florida voted Jan. 29Florida voted Jan. 29

The DNC voted to strip them of their The DNC voted to strip them of their delegate seats at the National delegate seats at the National Convention in October 2007.Convention in October 2007.

More on this story coming!More on this story coming!

2008 Primaries/Caucuses2008 Primaries/Caucuses Jan. 3 Iowa CaucusesJan. 3 Iowa Caucuses Jan. 8 New Hampshire Jan. 8 New Hampshire Jan. 15 MichiganJan. 15 Michigan Jan. 19 Rep. SCJan. 19 Rep. SC Jan. 26 Dem SCJan. 26 Dem SC Jan. 29 FloridaJan. 29 Florida Feb. 5 “Super TuesFeb. 5 “Super Tues**.” .” Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Alabama, Alaska, Arizona,

Arkansas, Colorado, California, Connecticut, Delaware, Georgia, Arkansas, Colorado, California, Connecticut, Delaware, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Kansas, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Missouri, Idaho, Illinois, Kansas, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, New Jersey, New Mexico, New Your, North Dakota, Montana, New Jersey, New Mexico, New Your, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Tennesse, Utah, West Virginia.Oklahoma, Tennesse, Utah, West Virginia.

Mar. 4 “Jr Tues.” Mar. 4 “Jr Tues.” Connecticut, Georgia, Maryland,, New Connecticut, Georgia, Maryland,, New York, Ohio, Rhode Island, York, Ohio, Rhode Island, TEXASTEXAS, and Vermont., and Vermont.

*Super Tues. was traditionally in March—now in February!*Super Tues. was traditionally in March—now in February! Many more dates/states followed!Many more dates/states followed!

Feb. 5 was a BIG day! Feb. 5 was a BIG day! This was called This was called SUPER TUESDAYSUPER TUESDAY, ,

and everyone thought one candidate and everyone thought one candidate from each party would have enough from each party would have enough delegates to wrap up the nomination delegates to wrap up the nomination after this date.after this date.

The Hillary Clinton campaign and her The Hillary Clinton campaign and her supporters thought she would have the supporters thought she would have the nomination wrapped up after this nomination wrapped up after this night---but she was in for a long battle.night---but she was in for a long battle.

Delegate TrackerDelegate Tracker

Delegate SelectionDelegate Selection

Out of total for Dems in Out of total for Dems in 20042004::

– Iowa only 56 d (1.2%)Iowa only 56 d (1.2%)– NH only 27 d (.62%)NH only 27 d (.62%)– TX 232 d (5.4%)TX 232 d (5.4%)

But by Mar. 9, our But by Mar. 9, our

votes didn’t matter!votes didn’t matter!

So what’s the story So what’s the story behind Michigan & behind Michigan & Florida on the Dem side?Florida on the Dem side? DNC Rules Committee met on May DNC Rules Committee met on May

3131stst and in a bitter debate between and in a bitter debate between Clinton and Obama supporters, Clinton and Obama supporters, they voted to allow half of Michigan they voted to allow half of Michigan and Florida delegates to be seated and Florida delegates to be seated at the convention this week.at the convention this week.– Clinton supporters were not happy Clinton supporters were not happy

about this!about this!

Clinton suspends her Clinton suspends her campaign on June 7campaign on June 7thth..

Who was picked to be Who was picked to be the VP running mates?the VP running mates? McCainMcCain: Will announce this : Will announce this

Friday.Friday.

ObamaObama: Sen. Joe Biden : Sen. Joe Biden – (D-Delaware)(D-Delaware)

States held their state party States held their state party conventions over the conventions over the summer.summer. Democrats in TXDemocrats in TX

– June 5-7June 5-7– AustinAustin

Republicans in Republicans in TXTX– June 12-14June 12-14– HoustonHouston

National ConventionsNational Conventions Democrats are meeting in Denver, Colorado, Democrats are meeting in Denver, Colorado,

this week at the downtown Pepsi Center. this week at the downtown Pepsi Center. sitesite Republicans will meet in Minneapolis-St. Republicans will meet in Minneapolis-St.

Paul, Minnesota, next week at the Paul, Minnesota, next week at the RiverCentre / Xcel Energy Center. RiverCentre / Xcel Energy Center. sitesite– Week-long conventions (and big party!).Week-long conventions (and big party!).– Each state sends delegates (who were chosen Each state sends delegates (who were chosen

at the state conventions.)at the state conventions.)– Write the party platform.Write the party platform.– Delegates vote for presidential Delegates vote for presidential

and vice-presidential nomineesand vice-presidential nominees..– Acceptance speeches.Acceptance speeches.

Major CandidatesMajor Candidates

DemocratDemocrat– Barak Barak

ObamaObama

RepublicanRepublican– John McCainJohn McCain

Third Third Party/Independent Party/Independent CandidatesCandidates *Libertarian Party*Libertarian Party

Bob Barr Bob Barr & Wayne Allen Root& Wayne Allen Root

*Green Party*Green Party

Cynthia McKinneyCynthia McKinney

*Independent*Independent Ralph Nader Ralph Nader & Matt & Matt

GonzalezGonzalez

*Republican still in race*Republican still in race Ron PaulRon Paul

Potential First LadiesPotential First Ladies

Michelle ObamaMichelle Obama Cindy McCainCindy McCain

DebatesDebates

PresidentialPresidential– Sep. 26, Oct. 7, Oct. 15Sep. 26, Oct. 7, Oct. 15

VPVP– Oct. 2Oct. 2

General ElectionGeneral Election

First Tuesday, after the first First Tuesday, after the first Monday in November. (Nov. 4Monday in November. (Nov. 4thth))

Get registered when you turn 18,

research the candidates, and VOTE!

Must register in TX by Oct. 6th.