Pika and Maltese Chapter 2

 Compare and contrast the presidential selection process now to that in the late 1700s.  The main way I want you to look at this is by addressing:  1. Broadly how the process has changed  2. Changes in the role of political parties  3. Changes in the conventions  4. Reforms of the selection process  5. What the contemporary process looks like

 Early on, what role did political parties play in the Electoral College process?  Political parties had an almost immediate impact on the Electoral College.  How and why?  What methods did the parties use to select their candidates?  Congressional Caucus  The 1824 Election signaled the end of nomination by Congressional Caucuses. Why?  What emerged to take its place?

 Compare the nomination process now to that in the late 1700s and early 1800s.  Discussion here begins with a discussion of congressional caucuses, then moves to talking about brokered conventions.  You then need to discuss the reforms that took place that resulted in primaries and party caucuses and how that has changed the modern nominating conventions.

 Compare the nominating conventions of today to those from the past.  Most of this is covered in the previous question, but you may see either one of these on an exam.  Here you would just need to focus on how conventions have changed from brokered conventions until now, focusing on the role primaries and party caucuses have played in that change.

 Explain brokered conventions.  This is one of those you’re likely to see in Section 1 of the exam where you are asked to provide a definition, the importance of the term, and then an example.  So, let’s do that.

 What is a party caucus?  Same thing as the last one. Let’s give it a shot.

 Explain the role primaries played in changing the presidential selection process.  Here I want you to focus on what the selection process was like before the reforms that brought primaries and then what happened to the selection process afterwards.  The main thing you need to key on is that primaries took A LOT of power away from political parties.  Why?

 Describe the four stages of the contemporary presidential selection process.  1. Defining the pool of eligible candidates  2. Nominating the parties’ candidates at the national conventions  3. Waging the general election  4. Validating results through the Electoral College  These steps are explained in detail in your text from pg. 44 to pg. 85.  If you see this question on the exam, I don’t expect you write 40 pages worth of information. You just need to briefly summarize each part, making sure you hit the high notes.

 What personal characteristics are valuable for someone attempting to run for president?  This is called political availability.  They need political experience.  It helps if they’ve been vice president.  Having executive experience can lead to success.  Religious background can play a role.  A candidate’s family life can influence voters.  Even issues like personal appearance (weight, attractiveness, etc.) can have an impact.

 Describe the different groups of people who are likely to run for president. What are the strengths and weaknesses for each group? Which groups are more likely to run than the others? Which groups have been more successful than the others? Why?  Here you want to talk about these groups and answer the questions above about them:  1. Presidents and Vice Presidents  2. Senators and Governors

 Describe the two phases of the selection process? (pg. 50).  1. Choosing delegates to the two parties’ national conventions  2. Selecting the nominees at the conventions

 What is front-loading ? What effect does it have on the nomination process?  Anyone know?

 What are federal matching funds and why or why not would a candidate use them?

 Candidates can qualify to receive federal funds that match individual contributions of $250 or less if they can raise $100,000 in individual contributions, with at least $5,000 collected in 20 different states.  Taxpayers authorize the government to set aside $3.00 of their tax payments for public financing of campaigns.  Participation in this program has dropped considerably.  In the last election, neither candidate use public funding. In fact, since 2004 both major party candidates have refused to use federal matching funds.  Why?

 What is Super Tuesday ? Why is it important?

 What are superdelegates ?

 These are Democratic elected and party officials who attend the convention by virtue of their leadership positions.  Take a look at the article handout.

 What role(s) do the media play in the nomination process?  1. Media influence has grown and has become increasingly important during the nomination process.  2. Media tend to focus on the “game” aspects of the early contests, looking at the race for financial contributions, who is working for the campaigns, and guessing about the candidates’ potential success against other candidates.  3. Once the primary process gets underway the media focuses on the “horse-race” aspect of the contests. Who is winning? Who is the front-runner?  4. Public opinion polls have become increasingly important.  5. Ultimately the media can determine who the viable candidates are and who are not. Ask Ron Paul.

 Describe the two things that happen at contemporary nominating conventions. 1. Nominating the ticket. 2. Conducting party business.

 Explain how the electoral college used to work, and how it works now. In other words, compare the unit system to the district system.  At first electoral votes were determined by congressional districts. The winner of the popular vote in a district would receive the electoral vote from that district.  But legislatures been adopting the “unit rule” where all the state’s electoral votes would go to the winner of the statewide popular vote.  Since then, two states have gone back to the original plan, Maine and Nebraska.

 When voters case a vote in the presidential election they are actually voting for slate of electors pledged to support the party’s presidential candidate.  Electors are party loyalists, chosen in primaries, at party conventions, or by state party committees.

 What is the most important determinant in deciding where a candidate will campaign? Why? How is this usually different for Republicans vs. Democrats?  The Electoral College.  Why?

 Describe the different factors that influence voter choices. Provide examples for each and explain their importance. For example, you should discuss the different long-term and short-term influences, the role incumbency plays, and what effect the debates have.  1. Long-term influences-there are two main things the text discusses  2. Short-term influences-there are three main things the text discusses  3. Incumbency  4. Debates

 What role does turnout play on election day?  Any guesses?

 What is a faithless elector ?  You tell me.