9/15/2010

Choose over 500,000 public roles

Contest between political parties

Winner-take-all – the person with the most votes wins (don’t need over 50%) FPTP Plurality Single-member districts –

one rep per district Third parties can’t break in

General Campaign Consulting Services Kaufman Campaigns provides a broad range of consulting and

political campaign services to clients throughout California. Strategic Planning and Game Plan Development Preparing Initiatives for the Ballot Message Development Radio and Television Advertising Targeted Mail Graphic and Web Design Grassroots Organizing Day-to-Day Campaign Operations Community Outreach Earned Media Polling/Surveys/Focus Groups Opposition Research Budget Planning

About 600 professional consultants were paid $1.78 billion for 2003-2004 political campaign work.

Media consultants, who handle advertising and give strategic advice, received 67 percent of all money spent — roughly $1.2 billion.

Direct mail consultants had the second-largest amount, nearly $298 million (17 percent of all spending).

Fundraising consultants cost candidates at least $59 million.

Senate

Type of Candidate

Total Raised

Numberof Cands

Avg Raised

Incumbent $334,267,117 31 $10,782,810

Challenger $129,216,714 152 $850,110

Open Seat $320,654,677 123 $2,606,949

Grand Total $784,138,508 306 $2,562,544

HouseHouse

House

Type of Candidate

Total Raised

Numberof Cands

Avg Raised

Incumbent $573,039,403 420 $1,364,380

Challenger $256,712,705 1,108 $231,690

Open Seat $141,768,027 356 $398,225

Grand Total $971,520,135 1,884 $515,669

"Since 1914, incumbent U.S. senators running for reelection have won about 78 percent of the time,"

Sorcerer’s StonePrisoner of AzkabanGoblet of FireOrder of the PhoenixHalf-Blood Prince

A. Sorcerer’s StoneB. Prisoner of AzkabanC. Goblet of FireD. Order of the PhoenixE. Half-Blood Prince

Each state holds a primary or caucus between January and June to determine candidates for parties

Candidates then enter into general elections against the other political parties

More people vote in general elections. In 2004, 50% of people voted in general elections versus 25% in the primaries.

Why?More ideological

Congress elections are regional Senate by state; House by district

House elections are less competitive than Senate or President- why?

Congressional elections every two years (all House up for reelection and 1/3 of the Senate)

CONGRESS

Congress communicates with their constituents more directly, often personally,

Congress reps can deny responsibility and blame problems on other reps or President

Less turnout

PRESIDENT

while President relies on media

More turnout

MoneyDescription TotalAdministrative (salaries, benefits, utilities, taxes, etc)

$434,000,000

Media (cost of advertising and media production including tv, print, radio, and internet ads)

$359,000,000

Campaign expenses (consultation, polling, promotional material, etc)

$154,000,000

Fundraising (events, telemarketing, mailings, etc.)

$92,000,000

Contributions (Contributions from the committee to federal and non-federal parties)

$34,000,000

Other (Miscellaneous including donations and loan payments.

$25,000,000

The Center for Responsive politics calculated how the money is spent:

Incumbents have huge advantage Franking privileges

Cater to distrust by public of federal gov. “Run against Congress, not for it.”

Sophomore surgeEach Senator has 40 aides