1. Nominations and Campaigns Chapter 9

2. The Nomination Game Nomination: – The official endorsement of a candidate for office by a political party. Generally, success requires momentum, money, and media attention. Campaign Strategy: – The master plan candidates lay out to guide their electoral campaign.

3. The Nomination Game Deciding to Run – Other countries have short campaigns- generally less than 2 months. – U.S. campaigns (especially for President) can last 18 months or more. – Generally need to start out with an electoral base already established.

4. The Nomination Game Competing for Delegates – The Caucus Road Caucus: Meetings of party leaders used to select delegates. Now organized like a pyramid from local precincts to the state’s convention. Not used by many states. Iowa’s is considered the most important.

5. The Nomination Game Competing for Delegates – The Primary Road Primary: Elections in which voters choose the nominee or delegates pledged to the nominee. Started by turn of the century reformers. Most states use one of the forms of a primary. Many primaries are early- with New Hampshire being the first. Generally serve as elimination contests.

6. The Nomination Game Competing for Delegates – Evaluating the Primary and Caucus System Disproportionate attention to the early ones. Prominent politicians find it difficult to make time to run. Money plays too big a role. Participation in primaries and caucuses is low and unrepresentative. The system gives too much power to the media.

7. The Nomination Game Figure 9.1 The Perception of Iowa and New Hampshire

8. The Nomination Game The Convention Send-off – Once provided great drama, but now they are a basic formality- which means less TV time. – Are still important to the party to get organized and motivated. – Party platform: Statement of its goals and policies and general beliefs. – Official nominations and candidate speeches.

9. The Campaign Game The High-Tech Media Campaign – Use of direct mail to generate support and money for the candidate – Get media attention through ad budget and “free” coverage – Emphasis on “marketing” a candidate – News focuses on strategies and events, not on policies

10. The Campaign Game Organizing the Campaign – Get a campaign manager – Get a fund-raiser & legal counsel – Hire media and campaign consultants – Assemble staff / plan the logistics – Get research staff, policy advisors & pollsters – Get a good press secretary

11. Money and Campaigning The Maze of Campaign Finance Reforms – FEC: Created by law in 1974 to administer campaign finance laws for federal elections. Public financing of presidential elections Limited spending & required disclosure Limited contributions to campaigns – Soft Money Contributions (with no limits) used for party-building expenses or generic party advertising

12. Money and Campaigning The Proliferation of PACs – Definition: Created by law in 1974 to allow corporations, labor unions and others to donate money to campaigns. – Over 3900 PACs donating over $212 million – Donate to candidates who support their issue, regardless of party afiliation – Not sufficient data that PACs “buy” candidates

13. Money and Campaigning $ given% to Rep Microsoft3,942,43553 Philip Morris2,830,98580 Am Fed of State Empl6,500,8891 Comm. workers of Am3,687,6141 NRA2,884,12792 Emily’s List1,979,8290 From Table 9.1

14. Money and Campaigning Are Campaigns Too Expensive? – Fund raising takes up lots of time. – The closer the race, the more money is needed. Does Money Buy Victory? – Too much money can be worse than not enough. – But, candidates need “enough” money to win

15. The Impact of Campaigns Campaigns are perceived as doing: – Reinforcement, Activation, Conversion Mostly, they only reinforce & activate – Selective perception: pay attention to things we agree with. – Party identification still has an effect – Incumbents start with a substantial advantage

16. Understanding Nominations and Campaigns Are Nominations and Campaigns Too Democratic? – Campaigns are open to almost everyone – But they are time and money consuming Do Big Campaigns Lead to an Increased Scope of Government? – They involve lots of communication – Hard to be all things to all people

17. Citizens United Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission United States Supreme Court held that the 1 st Amendment prohibits the government from restricting political independent expenditures by corporations, associations, or labor unions. The conservative lobbying group Citizens United wanted to air a film critical of Hillary Clinton and to advertise the film during television broadcasts in apparent violation of the 2002 Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act (McCain–Feingold Act or "BCRA"). In a 5–4 decision, the Court held that portions of BCRA violated the First Amendment. United States Supreme Court independent expenditurescorporationsassociationslabor unionslobbyingCitizens UnitedHillary ClintonBipartisan Campaign Reform Act

18. Colbert skewers SuperPacs http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AuqSELPy NSo&list=PLUqgfBkLUC12gss93WBt2OA1lEDjC w72B http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AuqSELPy NSo&list=PLUqgfBkLUC12gss93WBt2OA1lEDjC w72B

19. Super PAC ads http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qulpuc VacM8 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qulpuc VacM8 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d5m9Q ZWwIgQ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d5m9Q ZWwIgQ

20. Internet Resources Federal Election Commission Center for Responsive Politics Campaigns and Elections magazine Klipsan Election notes