Nominations and Campaigns Chapter 9. The Presidential Campaign Calendar ► The year (OR TWO) before the election – Announce intent to run ► January-June

Nominations and Nominations and CampaignsCampaigns

Chapter 9Chapter 9

The Presidential Campaign The Presidential Campaign CalendarCalendar

►The year (OR TWO) before the election The year (OR TWO) before the election – Announce intent to run– Announce intent to run

► January-June of Election Year – January-June of Election Year – Caucuses and PrimariesCaucuses and Primaries

►End of Summer – National Party End of Summer – National Party ConventionsConventions

►Fall – Debates between CandidatesFall – Debates between Candidates►November – ElectionNovember – Election► January 20January 20thth - Inauguration - Inauguration

The Nomination GameThe Nomination Game

►NominationNomination: the official endorsement of : the official endorsement of a candidate for office by a political a candidate for office by a political party party

►Generally, success requires Generally, success requires momentum, money, and media momentum, money, and media attention.attention.

►Campaign StrategyCampaign Strategy: the master game : the master game plan candidates lay out to guide their plan candidates lay out to guide their electoral campaignelectoral campaign


►Deciding to RunDeciding to Run Campaigns are more physically and Campaigns are more physically and

emotionally taxing than ever.emotionally taxing than ever. Other countries have short campaigns, Other countries have short campaigns,

generally less than 2 months.generally less than 2 months. American campaigns are much longer.American campaigns are much longer.

►Whoever is elected president declares their Whoever is elected president declares their intention to run early in the year BEFORE the intention to run early in the year BEFORE the election.election.

Delegates? HUH?Delegates? HUH?►When you participate in a caucus or When you participate in a caucus or

primary, you are choosing DELEGATES who primary, you are choosing DELEGATES who will attend the convention in support of the will attend the convention in support of the candidate you like best. A vote for candidate you like best. A vote for Candidate X is REALLY a vote for a Candidate X is REALLY a vote for a delegatedelegate to attend the convention to SUPPORT to attend the convention to SUPPORT Candidate XCandidate X

► The more delegates supporting Candidate X The more delegates supporting Candidate X at the convention, the more likely he/she is at the convention, the more likely he/she is to get the nominationto get the nomination

►Primaries vs Caucuses http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_95I_1rZiIs

The Nomination GameThe Nomination Game►Competing for DelegatesCompeting for Delegates

The Caucus RoadThe Caucus Road►CaucusCaucus: system for selecting delegates used : system for selecting delegates used

in about a dozen rural states. Voters show in about a dozen rural states. Voters show up at a set time and attend an open meeting up at a set time and attend an open meeting to show their preference for President.to show their preference for President.

►Caucusing is EASY! Caucusing is EASY! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=racTAiemEQU

►A handful of states use a caucus—open to all A handful of states use a caucus—open to all voters who are registered with a party. voters who are registered with a party. Takes more time on the part of the people. Takes more time on the part of the people. Lower turnout than for states with primaries.Lower turnout than for states with primaries.

►The Iowa caucus is first and most important.The Iowa caucus is first and most important.

The Nomination GameThe Nomination Game► Competing for DelegatesCompeting for Delegates

The Primary RoadThe Primary Road►PrimaryPrimary: elections in which voters in a state : elections in which voters in a state

vote for a nominee (or delegates pledged vote for a nominee (or delegates pledged to the nominee)to the nominee) Began at turn of 20Began at turn of 20thth century by century by

progressive reformersprogressive reformers Most delegates are chosen through Most delegates are chosen through

primaries.primaries. SuperdelegatesSuperdelegates: party leaders who : party leaders who

automatically get a delegate slot at the automatically get a delegate slot at the National ConventionNational Convention

►FrontloadingFrontloading is the tendency of states to is the tendency of states to hold primaries early to capitalize on media hold primaries early to capitalize on media attention. New Hampshire is first.attention. New Hampshire is first.

►Generally primaries serve as elimination Generally primaries serve as elimination contests.contests.

McGovern-Fraser McGovern-Fraser CommissionCommission

►Formed as a reaction to the violence Formed as a reaction to the violence at the Democratic National Convention at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago in 1968 (anti-war party in Chicago in 1968 (anti-war party members felt they weren’t members felt they weren’t represented within the convention)represented within the convention)

►Wanted to be sure that the delegates Wanted to be sure that the delegates to the DNC were really representative to the DNC were really representative of the Democratic Party itself (women, of the Democratic Party itself (women, minorities, etc.)minorities, etc.)

The Nomination GameThe Nomination Game►Competing for DelegatesCompeting for Delegates

Evaluating the Primary and Caucus SystemEvaluating the Primary and Caucus System►Disproportionate attention to early primaries Disproportionate attention to early primaries

and caucusesand caucuses►Prominent politicians do not run.Prominent politicians do not run.►Money plays too big a role.Money plays too big a role.►Participation in primaries and caucuses is Participation in primaries and caucuses is

low and unrepresentative; 20 percent vote in low and unrepresentative; 20 percent vote in primariesprimaries

►The system gives too much power to the The system gives too much power to the media.media.


►Competing for DelegatesCompeting for Delegates Nomination game is an elimination contestNomination game is an elimination contest Goal is to win a majority of delegates’ support Goal is to win a majority of delegates’ support

at the at the national party conventionnational party convention, or the , or the supreme power within each of the partiessupreme power within each of the parties►The convention meets every four years to The convention meets every four years to

nominate the party’s presidential and vice-nominate the party’s presidential and vice-presidential candidates.presidential candidates.

►Party platform is written.Party platform is written.►Conventions are but a formality today (they’re Conventions are but a formality today (they’re

really a big party!!).really a big party!!).


► The Convention Send-offThe Convention Send-off National conventions once provided great drama, National conventions once provided great drama,

but now are a formality, which means less TV but now are a formality, which means less TV time.time.

Significant rallying point for partiesSignificant rallying point for parties Key note speaker on first day of ConventionKey note speaker on first day of Convention Party platform: statement of a party’s goals and Party platform: statement of a party’s goals and

policies for next four yearspolicies for next four years►Debated on the second day of the ConventionDebated on the second day of the Convention

Formal nomination of president and vice-Formal nomination of president and vice-president candidates on third and fourth days president candidates on third and fourth days


The Campaign GameThe Campaign Game

►The High-Tech Media CampaignThe High-Tech Media Campaign Direct mailDirect mail is used to generate support is used to generate support

and money for the candidateand money for the candidate Get media attention through ad budget Get media attention through ad budget

and “free” coverageand “free” coverage Emphasis on “marketing” a candidateEmphasis on “marketing” a candidate News stories focus more on the “horse News stories focus more on the “horse

race” than substantive policy issuesrace” than substantive policy issues


►Organizing the CampaignOrganizing the Campaign Get a campaign managerGet a campaign manager Get a fund-raiser & campaign counsel Get a fund-raiser & campaign counsel

(attorney)(attorney) Hire media and campaign consultantsHire media and campaign consultants Assemble staff and plan logisticsAssemble staff and plan logistics Get research staff, policy advisors, and Get research staff, policy advisors, and

pollsterspollsters Get a good press secretaryGet a good press secretary Establish a websiteEstablish a website


Money and CampaigningMoney and Campaigning► The Maze of Campaign Finance ReformsThe Maze of Campaign Finance Reforms

Federal Election Campaign Act (1974)Federal Election Campaign Act (1974)►Created the Federal Election Commission Created the Federal Election Commission

(FEC) to administer campaign finance (FEC) to administer campaign finance laws for laws for federalfederal elections elections

►Created the Presidential Election Created the Presidential Election Campaign Fund ($3 voluntary donation Campaign Fund ($3 voluntary donation on income tax forms)on income tax forms)

►Provided partial public financing for Provided partial public financing for presidential primariespresidential primaries Matching fundsMatching funds: Candidates who raise : Candidates who raise

$5000 in at least 20 states can get $5000 in at least 20 states can get donations of up to $250 matched by donations of up to $250 matched by the federal treasury. If candidates the federal treasury. If candidates accept this money they agree to limit accept this money they agree to limit what they spend on their campaigns.what they spend on their campaigns.

Money and CampaigningMoney and Campaigning

Federal Election Campaign Act (1974) Federal Election Campaign Act (1974) continuedcontinued►Provided full public financing for major party Provided full public financing for major party

candidates in the general election. In 2008, this candidates in the general election. In 2008, this fixed amount was $85 million. Obama did not fixed amount was $85 million. Obama did not accept it and raised money in maximum accept it and raised money in maximum amounts of $2300 per individual donor. He amounts of $2300 per individual donor. He raised $337 million which gave him a huge edge raised $337 million which gave him a huge edge over McCain who accepted the $85 million.over McCain who accepted the $85 million.

►Required full disclosure of all campaign Required full disclosure of all campaign donations to the FEC listing who contributed and donations to the FEC listing who contributed and how muchhow much

►Limited contributions per individual to $1000. Limited contributions per individual to $1000. The limit was raised to $2300 in 2008.The limit was raised to $2300 in 2008.

Money and CampaigningMoney and Campaigning► The Maze of Campaign Finance ReformsThe Maze of Campaign Finance Reforms

Soft MoneySoft Money: political contributions (not subject to : political contributions (not subject to contribution limits) earmarked for party-building contribution limits) earmarked for party-building expenses or generic party advertisingexpenses or generic party advertising

The McCain-Feingold ActThe McCain-Feingold Act (2002) banned soft (2002) banned soft money, increased amount of individual money, increased amount of individual contributions, and limited “issue ads.” contributions, and limited “issue ads.” ►This was overturned by the Supreme Court case This was overturned by the Supreme Court case

Citizens United v. FEC (2010) Citizens United v. FEC (2010) which says that which says that this was a limit on free speech. Corporations and this was a limit on free speech. Corporations and unions can now spend as much as they like to unions can now spend as much as they like to promote their political views.promote their political views.


► 527 groups527 groups: Just known as 527s. Independent : Just known as 527s. Independent groups that seek to influence political process but groups that seek to influence political process but are not subject to contribution restrictions because are not subject to contribution restrictions because they do not directly seek election of particular they do not directly seek election of particular candidates. candidates.

► Created as a way for groups to get around the ban Created as a way for groups to get around the ban on soft money. Examples: Swift Boat Veterans for on soft money. Examples: Swift Boat Veterans for Truth (anti-Kerry 527) and Moveon.org (anti-Bush Truth (anti-Kerry 527) and Moveon.org (anti-Bush 527)527)

►Swift Boat Veterans Ad

Money and CampaigningMoney and Campaigning► The Proliferation of PACsThe Proliferation of PACs

Political Action Committees (PACs): Political Action Committees (PACs): created by law created by law in 1974 to allow corporations, labor unions and in 1974 to allow corporations, labor unions and other interest groups to donate money to other interest groups to donate money to campaigns; PACs are registered with and campaigns; PACs are registered with and monitored by the FEC.monitored by the FEC.

As of 2008 there were 4,611 PACs.As of 2008 there were 4,611 PACs. PACs contributed over $412.8 million to PACs contributed over $412.8 million to

congressional candidates in 2008congressional candidates in 2008 PACs donate to candidates who support their issue.PACs donate to candidates who support their issue. PACs do not “buy” candidates, but give to PACs do not “buy” candidates, but give to

candidates who support them in the first place.candidates who support them in the first place. All PAC donations must be carefully recorded by All PAC donations must be carefully recorded by

candidatescandidates


Money and CampaigningMoney and Campaigning►Are Campaigns Too Expensive?Are Campaigns Too Expensive?

Fundraising takes a lot of time.Fundraising takes a lot of time. Incumbents do worse when they spend Incumbents do worse when they spend

more money because it means they need more money because it means they need to spend more to defeat quality to spend more to defeat quality challengers.challengers.

The doctrine of sufficiency suggests that The doctrine of sufficiency suggests that candidates need just “enough” money to candidates need just “enough” money to win, not necessarily “more.” (Meg Whitman win, not necessarily “more.” (Meg Whitman lost to Jerry Brown although she outspent lost to Jerry Brown although she outspent him by $100 million)him by $100 million)

The Impact of CampaignsThe Impact of Campaigns

►Campaigns have three effects on voters:Campaigns have three effects on voters: Reinforcement, Activation, ConversionReinforcement, Activation, Conversion

►Several factors weaken campaigns’ Several factors weaken campaigns’ impact on voters:impact on voters: Selective perceptionSelective perception: pay most attention to : pay most attention to

things we agree withthings we agree with Party identification still influences voting Party identification still influences voting

behaviorbehavior Incumbents begin with sizeable advantageIncumbents begin with sizeable advantage

Understanding Nominations Understanding Nominations and Campaignsand Campaigns

► Are Nominations and Campaigns Too Are Nominations and Campaigns Too Democratic?Democratic? Campaigns are open to almost everyone.Campaigns are open to almost everyone. Campaigns consume much time and money.Campaigns consume much time and money. Campaigns promote individualism in Campaigns promote individualism in

American politics.American politics.►Do Big Campaigns Lead to an Increased Do Big Campaigns Lead to an Increased

Scope of Government?Scope of Government? Candidates make numerous promises, Candidates make numerous promises,

especially to state and local interests.especially to state and local interests. Hard for politicians to promise to cut size of Hard for politicians to promise to cut size of

governmentgovernment

SummarySummary

► Campaigns are media-oriented and Campaigns are media-oriented and expensive.expensive.

►Delegates are selected through caucuses Delegates are selected through caucuses and primaries.and primaries.

►Money and contributions from PACs Money and contributions from PACs regulated by the FEC are essential to regulated by the FEC are essential to campaigns. campaigns.

► Campaigns reinforce perceptions but do not Campaigns reinforce perceptions but do not change minds.change minds.

Documents

Nominations and Campaigns Chapter 9. The Presidential Campaign Calendar ► The year (OR TWO) before the election – Announce intent to run ► January-June