Nominations and Campaigns Government in America: People, Politics, and Policy Thirteenth AP* Edition Edwards/Wattenberg/Lineberry Chapter 9 Nominations and Campaigns Pearson Education, Inc., Longman © 2008

Pearson Education, Inc., Longman © 2008 Bellringer 2/23 The specific goal of the presidential nomination game is to A. win the majority of votes cast in presidential primaries B. win the majority of votes cast in presidential caucuses C. win the majority of delegate votes in order to win the party nomination D. win a majority of votes in the electoral college E. beat the other party’s candidate in the general election Pearson Education, Inc., Longman © 2008

Pearson Education, Inc., Longman © 2008 The Nomination Game Campaigns in America can be divided into two stages: Nominations Campaigns between the two nominees Nomination: the official endorsement of a candidate for office by a political party Pearson Education, Inc., Longman © 2008

Pearson Education, Inc., Longman © 2008 The Nomination Game Deciding to Run Campaigns are more physically and emotionally taxing than ever. American campaigns are much longer than other countries http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2016/us/elections/2016-presidential-candidates.html?_r=0 Pearson Education, Inc., Longman © 2008

Pearson Education, Inc., Longman © 2008 The Nomination Game Competing for Delegates Nomination game is an elimination contest From February to June of election year, state parties choose their delegates through a caucus or primary. Goal is to win a majority of delegates’ support at the national party convention Convention meets every four years to nominate the party’s presidential and vice-presidential candidates. Pearson Education, Inc., Longman © 2008

Pearson Education, Inc., Longman © 2008

The Nomination Game Competing for Delegates Delegates cast their vote in favor of one candidate at the convention. The number of delegates and method for selection are determined by the parties. D: Based on votes given to democratic candidates and electoral votes; proportional share of delegates R: Number based on congressional districts; state can select to be proportional or winner-take all approach What are some consequences of a winner take all approach? Favorite son candidates: supported by delegates of specific state or region but without national support; able to delay decision on who to support

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Pearson Education, Inc., Longman © 2008 The Nomination Game Competing for Delegates The Caucus Road Caucus: meetings of state party leaders for selecting delegates to the national convention Organized like a pyramid from local precincts to the state’s convention The Iowa caucus is first and most important. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fobO82jbNRg Pearson Education, Inc., Longman © 2008

Pearson Education, Inc., Longman © 2008 The Nomination Game Competing for Delegates The Primary Road Primary: elections in which voters in a state vote for a nominee (or delegates pledged to the nominee) Began at turn of 20th century by progressive reformers McGovern-Fraser Commission led to selection of delegates through primary elections Superdelegates: democratic leaders who automatically get a delegate slot; delegate votes are not pledged to the nominee Pearson Education, Inc., Longman © 2008

Pearson Education, Inc., Longman © 2008 The Nomination Game Competing for Delegates The Primary Road Open and Closed Primaries Blanket primary Super Tuesday: Tuesday in February or March when the greatest number of states hold primaries. Frontloading is the tendency of states to hold primaries early to capitalize on media attention. Pearson Education, Inc., Longman © 2008

Pearson Education, Inc., Longman © 2008

Pearson Education, Inc., Longman © 2008 The Nomination Game Competing for Delegates Evaluating the Primary and Caucus System Disproportionate attention to early ones State determine when to hold primary or caucus Prominent politicians do not run. Money plays too big a role. Participation in primaries and caucuses is low and unrepresentative; 30 percent vote in primaries The system gives too much power to the media. Different campaign strategy for nomination than election Pearson Education, Inc., Longman © 2008

Pearson Education, Inc., Longman © 2008 The Nomination Game Pearson Education, Inc., Longman © 2008

Pearson Education, Inc., Longman © 2008 The Nomination Game The Convention Send-off Important for developing the party’s policy positions and in promoting political representation. Key note speaker on first day of Convention Party platform: statement of a party’s goals and policies for next four years Debated on the second day of the Convention Formal nomination of president and vice-president candidates on the last days. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zctzWxXS7g8 RNC 2016 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PjuUIuob1AY DNC 2016 Pearson Education, Inc., Longman © 2008

Pearson Education, Inc., Longman © 2008 The Nomination Game Pearson Education, Inc., Longman © 2008

Pearson Education, Inc., Longman © 2008 The Campaign Game Once nominated, candidates concentrate on campaigning for the general election. Campaign Strategy: the master game plan candidates lay out to guide their electoral campaign Candidates allocate their scarce resources of time, money, and energy to achieve their political objectives. Pearson Education, Inc., Longman © 2008

Pearson Education, Inc., Longman © 2008 The Campaign Game The High-Tech Media Campaign Direct mail used to generate support and money for the candidate Get media attention through ad budget and “free” coverage Emphasis on “marketing” a candidate http://fusion.net/story/247153/presidential-candidates-want-you-to-like-them/ News stories focus more on the “horse race” than substantive policy issues Clip Reply Pearson Education, Inc., Longman © 2008

Pearson Education, Inc., Longman © 2008

Pearson Education, Inc., Longman © 2008

Pearson Education, Inc., Longman © 2008 The Campaign Game Organizing the Campaign Get a campaign manager Get a fund-raiser and campaign counsel Hire media and campaign consultants Assemble staff and plan logistics Get research staff, policy advisors, and pollsters Get a good press secretary Establish a website Pearson Education, Inc., Longman © 2008

Class Work Your group will create an informative poster for a potential nominee. The information to be included is: Logo Basic demographics (age, education, previous employment) Their website How much money they raised At least 5 main policy viewpoints 2 recent news headlines in support of their candidacy Social media accounts

Bellringer 2/27 In the 1976 case of Buckley v. Valeo, the Supreme Court ruled that A. the limitation of money persons could contributed to their own election campaigns violated free speech and was unconstitutional. B. presidential election campaigns could not be paid for by tax dollars C. the forced disclosure of contributions to federal elections violated freedom of association and was therefore unconstitutional D. the limitation on the amount of money people could contribute to their own election campaign was not a violation of free speech, and was constitutional E. Congressional and state legislative districts must be of equal population and reapportioned every ten years

Pearson Education, Inc., Longman © 2008 Money and Campaigning Running a campaign is expensive. Where does this money come from? Raise Money How is it spent? Campaign Spending How is it regulated? Pearson Education, Inc., Longman © 2008

Bellringer 2/28 Soft money is A. money donated by a person to his or her own campaign B. cash contributions that are not traceable and in some situations illegal C. small donations that, while important to a campaign, are not as important as larger contributions D. money loaned to a campaign, but expected to be paid back E. money donated to parties rather than candidates, thus not subject to contribution or spending limits

Pearson Education, Inc., Longman © 2008 Money and Campaigning The Maze of Campaign Finance Reforms Two main methods: private and public financing Public - Presidential Election Campaign Fund Public financing for primaries and general election Paid for by three dollar checkoff on income tax forms Private – private individuals and groups The large bulk of money is spent on advertising. Momentum for campaign finance reform developed in the early 1970s Illegal campaign contributions Growth of television Pearson Education, Inc., Longman © 2008

Money and Campaigning The Maze of Campaign Finance Reforms Federal Election Campaign Act (1974): goals were to tighten reporting requirements and limit expenditures Created the Federal Election Commission (FEC) to administer campaign finance laws for federal elections Created the Presidential Election Campaign Fund Provided financing for conventions Limited contributions to candidates Required disclosure of contributors Limited expenditures by candidates Limited expenditures by candidates from personal funds Limited independent expenditures

Pearson Education, Inc., Longman © 2008 Money and Campaigning The Maze of Campaign Finance Reforms FECA challenged in Buckley v. Valeo (1976). Buckley v. Valeo: spending money to influence elections is a form of constitutionally protected free speech Upheld contribution limits and disclosure provisions but limited the scope Struck down expenditure limits for candidates from own resources, total expenditure limits, and limits on independent expenditures Pearson Education, Inc., Longman © 2008

Money and Campaigning The Maze of Campaign Finance Reforms Created a loop hole for soft money Soft money: money given to parties but not to a particular candidate Soft money enabled parties and candidates to circumvent the FECA’s limits on campaign contributions. Money earmarked for party-building expenses or generic party advertising is not subject to limits. Corporations, unions, PACS and individuals can contribute soft money to political parties for "mixed-purpose" activities. Money contributed directly to a candidate is hard money and can only come from individuals and PACs and is subject to federal regulations. Corporations and Unions not donate directly

Pearson Education, Inc., Longman © 2008 Money and Campaigning Maze of Campaign Finance Reforms Political Action Committees (PACs): created by law to allow corporations, labor unions and other interest groups to donate money to campaigns. PACs are registered with and monitored by the FEC. PACs do not “buy” candidates, but give to candidates who support them in the first place https://www.opensecrets.org/pacs/ Pearson Education, Inc., Longman © 2008

Pearson Education, Inc., Longman © 2008

Pearson Education, Inc., Longman © 2008 Money and Campaigning Maze of Campaign Finance Reforms 527s: Tax-exempt group that raises money to support political activities Are not subject to FEC limits because do not directly seek election of a particular candidate but must disclose donors http://www.opensecrets.org/527s/527cmtes.php?level=C&cycle=2004%22 Kerry Ad 501(c)(4): tax-exempt non-profit organizations that may engage in political activities as long as politics is not the group’s primary purpose; may raise and spend an unlimited amount of money and not required to disclose donors. Pearson Education, Inc., Longman © 2008

Money and Campaigning The Maze of Campaign Finance Reforms The McCain-Feingold Act (2002) was designed to regulate the use of soft money and issue ads. Ban on soft money contributions to parties Prohibited corporations and labor organizations from financing electioneering communications Restrictions on parties use of fund for issue ads Increased amount individuals contributions and indexed it ($1000 to $2000). McConnell v. FEC (2003) Up held most of the provisions of the BCRA Dealing mostly with soft-money contributions that were used to register voters and increase attendance at the polls, not with campaign expenditures the restriction on free speech was minimal.

Money and Campaigning The Maze of Campaign Finance Reforms Citizens United v. FEC: struck down campaign financing laws related to corporations and unions Government cannot restrict the spending by non-profits, corporations, and unions on independent expenditures Dismantled the BCRA which banned soft money and issue ads Article Speechnow.org v. FEC created “independent expenditure only” groups (superPACS) Held an organization formed to accept contributions and make independent expenditures must register as a PAC. Second, such an IE-only committee is entitled to accept unlimited contributions from individuals. When coupled with Citizens United, however, the case by implication also suggested that corporations and unions may contribute unlimited amounts to Independent Expenditure only PACs SuperPAC 501(c)(4)

Money and Campaigning The Maze of Campaign Finance Reforms McCutchon v. FEC: case invalidated aggregate contributions as limiting the First Amendment. BCRA placed an aggregate limit on how much money an individual may donate in a two-year election cycle For 2011-2012:$46,2 00 for federal candidates and $70,800 for national parties, or $117,000 aggregate limit Challenged by an Alabama businessman that had donated to 16 federal candidates and intended to donate to 12 more during the 2011-12 campaign cycle, but he exceeded the aggregate limit. Supreme Court held the aggregate limit to be unconstitutional https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kcnkgDHU9I8

The Impact of Campaigns Campaigns have three effects on voters: Reinforcement, Activation, Conversion Several factors weaken campaigns’ impact on voters: Selective perception: pay most attention to things we agree with Party identification still influence voting behavior Incumbents begin with sizeable advantage Pearson Education, Inc., Longman © 2008

Understanding Nominations and Campaigns Are Nominations and Campaigns Too Democratic? Campaigns are open to almost everyone. Campaigns consume much time and money. Campaigns promote individualism in American politics. Do Big Campaigns Lead to an Increased Scope of Government? Candidates make numerous promises, especially to state and local interests. Hard for politicians to promise to cut size of government Pearson Education, Inc., Longman © 2008

Pearson Education, Inc., Longman © 2008 Summary Campaigns are media-oriented and expensive. Delegates are selected through caucuses and primaries. Money and contributions from PACs regulated by the FEC are essential to campaigns. Campaigns reinforce perceptions but do not change minds. Pearson Education, Inc., Longman © 2008