American Political Participation Elections and Campaigns

Winner Takes All! Who gets the most votes wins Who gets the most votes wins Loser goes home Loser goes home

500,000 political offices in the country 500,000 political offices in the country To be the winner you need to campaign To be the winner you need to campaign

Laws and the Electoral Process The Constitution sets some requirements for elections The Constitution sets some requirements for elections Most election laws set by state Most election laws set by state

Secret ballot Secret ballot

Types of Elections Primaries Primaries Narrows the field Naming candidates for office 1 from each party

Closed Primary: Most States -- WI Most States -- WI Voting can be limited to registered party members Voting can be limited to registered party members Qualified voters are required to declare a political party before they vote Qualified voters are required to declare a political party before they vote

Open Primary Used in a few states Used in a few states Any qualified voter Any qualified voter Do not have to declare a party choice Do not have to declare a party choice Switch freely from one party to another Switch freely from one party to another

Caucuses A meeting of leaders in a political party to select candidates A meeting of leaders in a political party to select candidates Popular early but by 1840 conventions replaced caucuses Popular early but by 1840 conventions replaced caucuses Remain important in Presidential politics Remain important in Presidential politics

The Convention After all the primaries After all the primaries Typically in July/August before the general election in November Typically in July/August before the general election in November

The Convention Each state’s delegates (chosen by top party officials) announces their choice Each state’s delegates (chosen by top party officials) announces their choice Not a surprise Not a surprise Based on Primary Based on Primary

More like a big pep assembly… Shows 100% behind their candidate Shows 100% behind their candidate Platform – formal written statement of the principles and beliefs Platform – formal written statement of the principles and beliefs ATTENTION!! ATTENTION!!

General Election Chooses the winner! Chooses the winner!

The General Election Stage The Democratic nominee vs. the Republican nominee The Democratic nominee vs. the Republican nominee CONSTANT campaigning due to popularity of media CONSTANT campaigning due to popularity of media Campaigns are refocused to appeal to all Americans Campaigns are refocused to appeal to all Americans Go after independents Go after independents Increasing amounts of consultants and staff Increasing amounts of consultants and staff Increased public debating Increased public debating

Campaign Financing High costs are controversial issue High costs are controversial issue FEC – Federal Election Commission FEC – Federal Election Commission Records must be made public Records must be made public Sets limits on contributions Sets limits on contributions

Sources of funds Private Private The candidates The candidates No limits until 1970s No limits until 1970s Most funds come from modest donations of $100 - $200 Most funds come from modest donations of $100 - $200

Controversial: Political Action Committees (PACs) Special Interest Groups – any group that wants influence Special Interest Groups – any group that wants influence 1974 – – 600 Today – over 4,000 Today – over 4,000 ’96 -- $218 million (2.8) ’96 -- $218 million (2.8)

Economic Interest Groups: Labor UAW – autoworkers UAW – autoworkers Teamsters – truck drivers Teamsters – truck drivers

Interest Groups: Business ½ of all groups ½ of all groups Chamber of Commerce – Association of business owners (180,000) Chamber of Commerce – Association of business owners (180,000) WAMC – Big Business owners WAMC – Big Business owners AT&T, Ford AT&T, Ford

Agricultural Farmers only 2% of population Farmers only 2% of population More than 150 groups More than 150 groups American Farm (AFBA) Bureau Association – 4 million American Farm (AFBA) Bureau Association – 4 million

Professional American Medical Association (AMA) American Medical Association (AMA) National Education Association (NEA) National Education Association (NEA) The Bar Association (ABA) The Bar Association (ABA)

SOCIAL ACTION AND EQUIITY GROUPS Greenpeace – Environmental group Greenpeace – Environmental group NRA – National Rifleman’s Assoc. (gunowners) NRA – National Rifleman’s Assoc. (gunowners)

ACLU – American Civil Liberties Union NAACP – National Association for the Advancement of Colored People NAACP – National Association for the Advancement of Colored People AARP – American Association of Retired People AARP – American Association of Retired People

How do special interest groups work? Electioneering – Actively and publicly supporting candidates Electioneering – Actively and publicly supporting candidates FEC is strict on these groups FEC is strict on these groups Litigation – Court Litigation – Court Shape Public Opinion – use media Shape Public Opinion – use media

Lobbying – Meet with politicians Lobbying – Meet with politicians Pressure Pressure Write letters Write letters Publish info Publish info $$$$$ $$$$$ Hire full-time people to work for them Hire full-time people to work for them “Director of Legislative Relations” “Director of Legislative Relations”

Positive Function of Interest Groups Create interest in government/voting Create interest in government/voting Represent their members Represent their members Provide information (though biased) Provide information (though biased) Watchdog for their causes Watchdog for their causes

Negative Influences Influence is greater than membership Influence is greater than membership May not really represent everyone they claim to May not really represent everyone they claim to Some use illegal tactics Some use illegal tactics

Interest Groups have existed since the beginning of America: President John Adams warned of the “…danger of uncontrolled factions...” President John Adams warned of the “…danger of uncontrolled factions...” What do you think of interest groups? What do you think of interest groups?

Reform Laws and Limits Began in 1970s – Nixon’s campaign in ’72 Began in 1970s – Nixon’s campaign in ’72 Per- candidate Primary or General Election National Party - per year To any other pol. Committee -per year Total per calendar year Individuals $1,000$20,000$5,000$25,000 PACs $5,000$15,000$5,000No Limit

Loopholes 1. Soft Money 1. Unlimited spending on party-building activities 2. Unregulated – unlimited contributions Concerns… 1. High Cost of Campaigns 1. Record-breaking costs 2. Ceilings? Compare to advertising budgets.

Campaign Financing What do you think? What do you think?

What is Public Opinion? Attitudes held by a large number of persons related to government/politics Attitudes held by a large number of persons related to government/politics

Political Ideas… Where do they come from?

Opinions change Monthly/Daily/Weekly

What shapes Public Opinion? The Family – basic attitudes toward authority The Family – basic attitudes toward authority The Schools – Knowledge regarding citizenship; attitudes of peers & teachers The Schools – Knowledge regarding citizenship; attitudes of peers & teachers

What shapes Public Opinion? Opinion Leaders – Politicians and editorial professionals Opinion Leaders – Politicians and editorial professionals Mass Media – tv, radio, films, internet, books, mags Mass Media – tv, radio, films, internet, books, mags