Objectives CE.5(d) TSWBAT explain and demonstrate the political process including campaigns and the effects of the rising campaign costs on elections.

Focus Questions One must listen to both political party platforms in order to: A.Attend party meetings B.Identify differences between the parties C.Discuss politics regularly with one’s neighbors D.Influence the opinions of others.

Focus Questions Responsible voters in elections will do which of the following when it comes to making a decision with their vote? A.Believe propaganda supporting their own opinions B.Believes bias and opinionated advertising C.Separate fact from opinion, and evaluate sources D.Identify bias and opinions of these sources.

Rising Campaign Costs expensive CE.5d 11

Campaigns - Structure Each Candidate must have a Campaign Organization. The Organization is in charge of all aspects of your campaign. Campaigns consist of hundreds of employees and volunteers. Campaign Manager Communications Speech Writers Image Consultants Accountants Pilots/Bus Drivers

Campaigns - Structure Campaign Organization are divided into three levels: Campaign Leadership Focuses on the National Campaign. Staff closest to the candidate. Candidate & Management team. Polling. Regional/State Campaign Headquarters Focuses on certain areas of the country, Directs local campaign offices. Polling. Local Campaign HQ Registers voters Places phone calls Passing out signs, stickers, literature Driving Voters to Polls.

Campaigns – Strategy & Themes Candidates fall into one of two categories: Incumbent: Candidate currently holding office & seeking re-election. Challenger: Candidate seeking to gain office for the first time & to defeat the incumbent. Strategy: Tone Theme Timing Target Tone Positive – “Why I am the best for the job!” Negative – Attack your opponent – “Why they are wrong for the job!”

Campaigns – Strategy & Themes Every Candidate picks a theme for their campaign. Simple, appealing idea that is repeated over and over again. Obama (‘08) - “Change We Can Believe In” McCain (‘08) - “Country First”

Campaigns – Strategy & Themes Timing: When/Where do I start? Where do I focus my money? New/Challengers – Must put a lot of time and effort into early primaries. Front-Runners – Go Early/Wait till later in the race. Target: What types of voters should I pursue? Who do think will vote for me? Middle-Class Minorities Unemployed Women People upset by the Economy

The Campaign Trail

THE BOTTOM LINE……. RUNNING FOR OFFICE IS EXPENSIVE!!!!!!! & is INCREASING!!!

Campaigns - Money Campaign Costs: 1992 Congress - $3.7 Million President - $290 Million 2004 – Congress - $11 Million President - $463 Million 2008 Congress - $20 Million President - $750 Million

Key Topic is about… Running for office is political. With each election, the costs are rising. Thus, rising campaign costs have lead to: The FRAME Routine Rising Campaign Costs Essential details Campaign Costs CE.5d 11

Campaigns - Money Running for office is expensive. With each election, campaign cost are rising. These costs require candidates to conduct extensive fund-raising activities. These costs limit the number of candidates.

fund-raising Limits advantage wealthy

Campaigns - Money As a result, wealthy candidates have an advantage. Candidates must spend the majority of their time raising money. Fundraisers Dinners Internet Campaigns Individuals may give: $2300 per candidate $28,500 per party How do candidates get the rest of their money?

Campaigns - Money Public Financing of Campaigns If a candidate raises $50,000 each in 20 states, the federal government will match each contribution dollar for dollar. Political Action Committees (PAC’s) Organizations established by corporations, unions, or other special-interest groups, designed to support candidates.

fund-raising Limits advantage wealthy Political action committees interest groups

Campaigns – PAC’s Federal Multi-candidate PACs are limited in the amount of money they can contribute: at most $5,000 per candidate per election. at most $15,000 per political party per year. Under federal law, PACs are not limited in their ability to spend money independently of a candidate campaign. This is how PAC’s can spend MILLIONS on a campaign. This is a loop-hole.

Campaigns – PAC’s 1.American Federation of State, County & Municipal Employees- $39,947,843, (Democrats) 2.AT&T Inc - $39,772,431 (Both) 3.American Medical Assoc - $25,235,971, (Republicans)

Campaigns – PAC’s Interest groups and corporations have access to large amounts of money. This gives them an increased amount of influence.

Campaign Finance Reform Rising costs have led to efforts to reform campaign finance laws. Campaign Finance Reform: Limits the amount individuals may contribute to political campaigns. This attempts to make campaigns more fair, allowing not just the wealthy to become president.

Rising laws Limits amount contribute

Campaign Finance Reform Federal Elections Campaigns Acts (71,74,76) McCain-Feingold (2001) Regulates WHO, WHAT, & HOW MUCH a candidate can get Why so Much? Advertising TV advertising in 2008 election: $3 Billion

Key Topic is about… Running for office is political. With each election, the costs are rising. Thus, rising campaign costs have lead to: The FRAME Routine Rising Campaign Costs Essential details Require candidates to conduct extensive fund-raising activities Limit opportunities to run for public office Give an advantage to wealthy individuals who run for office Encourage the development of political action committees (PACs) Give issue-oriented special interest groups increased influence. Campaign Finance Reform Essential details Rising campaign costs have led to efforts to reform campaign finance laws. Limits have been placed on the amount individuals may contribute to political candidates and campaigns. Campaign Costs CE.5d 11

Checking for Understanding Which impact of rising campaign costs is missing from the web above? A.Encourages only Democratic candidates to run for office B.Limits the chances of who can run for office C.Makes it easier to run for political office D.Causes all candidates to seek only one term Rising Campaign Costs Extensive fundraising activities Advantages to wealthy people ?

Checking for Understanding “The National Rifle Association (NRA) supports McCain with large money donations and votes. In return for their support, McCain supports any legislation written to help the NRA.” This statement illustrates that special interest groups have the following effect on elections? A.McCain cannot be bribed by special interest groups B.Special Interest Groups have little influence on politicians C.Special Interest Groups have increased influence on politicians D.McCain is an animal rights activist