PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS AIM: What are the steps to becoming President of the U.S.?

Announcement to Run Win Primary’s (election) to Get your Party’s Nomination Run a campaign against opposing party. Win the election

I. Exploration and Announcement Hillary Getting Started - YouTube Exploratory Committee Assembles a staff Campaign manager Political consultants Pollsters Staffers volunteers Announces as early as 2 years in advance

II. Fundraising Need Large $$$$$$$ Largest amount used to come from individual donors, today Super PACs 2004 George Bush and John Kerry = $576 million 2008 Obama = $750 million 2012 $1 Billion House and Senate campaigns = $1.3 million to $10 million

A. What’s the money used for? Administrative expenses: office rent, utilities, staff, traveling, polling, fundraising expense Biggest Expenditure: T.V. Advertising

B. Campaign Financing Huge sums lead to corruption Attempt at Campaign Finance Reform? FEC McCain-Feingold Act Citizens United v. US Clean Elections??: receive a flat sum from the government

C. Super Pac may raise unlimited sums of money from corporations, unions, associations and individuals, then spend unlimited sums to overtly advocate for or against political candidates.

III. Polling Polling – provides information on Voter Concerns Views of Candidates positions on issues How voters say they will vote “The Bradley Effect”- 1982 CA. Governor’s Race: election results did not match polling. Factors involved Race.

Presidential Polling numbers http://www.gallup.com/home.aspx Real Politics

A. What are Focus Groups? Small sample of people help a candidate position himself on an issue (Ex. What language evokes the best response, what do they like or dislike about the candidate)

IV. Party Primaries A. Primary: state wide party election Caucus: meetings of party members C. Goal: Elect delegates committed to voting for a particular candidate at national Republican and Dem. Conventions.

D. OPEN vs. CLOSED 1. Open Primary: voters choose which primary to vote in 2. Closed Primary: only registered party members may vote New York has a closed party system (Howard Dean)

E. Important Primary Dates January 18: Iowa caucus January 16: New Hampshire primary Candidates from both parties will most likely be decided with the March 1st primary, “Super Tuesday” New York Primary April 19th (Exception 2008 Dem. Primary Season not decided until June 2008)

F. Super Delegates!!!!! (in the Democratic Party) an unelected delegate who is free to support any candidate for the presidential nomination at the party's national convention Pros’s: Con’s:

V. Party Conventions A. Platform is written B. Nominating and seconding speeches A vote by delegates 2016 Democrats: Philadelphia PA July 25-28 Republicans: Cleveland OH July 18-21

D. Announcement of Vice President nominee Qualifications of VP - Same as the President 35 years old Natural born citizen 14 year resident

2. ROLE OF THE VP Balancing the Ticket 1.Choose a VP who will win votes for the president. b. President of the Senate – casts tie breaking vote. Replaces President if unable to serve 25th amendment e. Position of VP is stepping stone to the presidency

E. Two candidates acceptance speech http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F7GCftEgNw8&feature=related

Presidential Debates

Commission on Presidential Debates 1987 by the Democratic and Republican Sponsors and produces debates Selects a site $7,500 application fee Why would a College or University want to host a presidential debate?

VI. General Election Campaign After Labor Day, campaigns go in to full gear. Democrat vs. Republican Most money spent on T.V. and radio ads. Mudslinging: goes back to very first presidential election Presidential Debates held Election Day: November 8th, 2016