NOMINATIONS AND CAMPAIGNS

NOMINATION GAME Nomination Success depends upon Deciding to run Party’s official endorsement of a candidate for office Success depends upon Money Media Momentum Deciding to run Campaigns very strenuous Candidacy announced usually a year before the election Risk-takers/self-confidence

NOMINATION GAME Competing for delegates Goal Party caucus Win majority of delegates’ support at the national party convention Party caucus States select their delegates in meeting of state party leaders called a caucus Caucuses open to all voters register with the party Strict rules Only minority of states Earliest caucus in Iowa

NOMINATION GAME Competing for delegates Presidential primaries Most common form of selection Voters go to polls and vote for a specific candidate within their party to be nominated at the convention First primary-New Hampshire McGovern-Fraser Commission (1968) Open procedures & quota requirements Half male half female Superdelegates Super Tuesday Proposed by southern states Moved all primaries to the same day in early March

CRITICISMS Media dominated campaigns are distorted by early primaries and caucuses Politicians have to take time out of their elected positions to run for another MONEY Participation is low 20% cast ballots in primaries Most better educated and more affluent than general population of voters Exaggerate regional factors in decision making Too much power to the media

DEFENDERS Candidates Brings candidates into contact with people Best to start in small states and then “graduate” to larger states

NATIONAL PRIMARY REFORM National primary day to select candidates Reduce the length and cost of campaigns Media coverage on one event would increase political interest and understanding of issues Critics Would require a run off election between top two finishers Money and media would become more crucial Obscure candidates would not have a chance

REGIONAL PRIMARY REFORM Groups of states would vote the same week Critics What region gets to go first Is that an advantage/disadvantage

NATIONAL CONVENTION Winner is known before it starts All caucuses and primaries have put forth their candidate Scripted to present the party at it’s best Few TV networks cover Significant rally point for parties Develops party’s positions Promotes political representation

CAMPAIGN GAME Dependent on technology Need to project the right image TV Internet Computer mailing lists Need to project the right image Efficient organization Money Media attention

CAMPAIGN GAME Organization Campaign manager Fundraiser Counsel/Attorney Media consultant Staff Plan logistics Researchers Pollster Press Secretary

MONEY IN CAMPAIGNS Why needed? Where does it come from? High tech campaigns Organizations Where does it come from? Candidate Supporters/constituents Interest groups

CAMPAIGN FINANCING REFORM Began in 1970s Federal Election Campaign Act (1974) Reporting requirements for all contributions Limits overall expenditures Created the Federal Election Commission (FEC) Public funding for primaries and elections Limits on spending Individual contributors restricted to $1000 1979 Amendment Political parties can raise money for Voter registration drives “grass roots” campaign materials

CAMPAIGN FINANCING REFORM Political Action Committees (PACs) Created by interest groups to get around finance laws The group forms a PAC that must register with the FEC Find a candidate that supports their views Contact individuals, businesses, etc. to contribute to the PAC Purchase and distribute materials in support of their candidate(s) Not under the same limitations as candidates

IMPACT OF CAMPAIGNS Reinforcement Activation Conversion Voter preferences Activation Contribute money Campaigning Conversion Change voter’s mind Selective perception Voters pay attention to positions they already agree with and ignore the others Party identification Influences voter behavior Incumbents Substantial advantage

IMPACT OF CAMPAIGNS Allows citizens a voice in every aspect of the election process Process has led to the “permanent campaign” May discourage candidates from entering May discourage people from participating