CHAPTER 14 The Campaign Process

Nomination Process Once a candidate declares his/her intention to run their focus is on winning the nomination of their party Once a candidate declares his/her intention to run their focus is on winning the nomination of their party A candidate needs to be mindful of not pandering to the extremists in the party to win the nomination. A candidate needs to be mindful of not pandering to the extremists in the party to win the nomination.

General Election Candidates have an incentive to move their positions on political issues to the ideological center. Candidates have an incentive to move their positions on political issues to the ideological center. The length of time between the nomination process and general election varies depending on the state. The length of time between the nomination process and general election varies depending on the state.

Campaign Staff Campaign manager-travels with the candidate and coordinates the campaign Campaign manager-travels with the candidate and coordinates the campaign Communications director-develops the overall media strategy for the campaign Communications director-develops the overall media strategy for the campaign Pollster- consultant who conducts public opinion surveys Pollster- consultant who conducts public opinion surveys

Raising Money FECA (1974)- Federal Election Campaign Act: 1 st broad attempt at campaign finance regulation. FECA (1974)- Federal Election Campaign Act: 1 st broad attempt at campaign finance regulation. Established: Established: 1) disclosure requirements (hard $) 1) disclosure requirements (hard $) 2) Presidential Public Funding Program 2) Presidential Public Funding Program 3) Federal Election Commission (FEC)- agency that enforces election laws 3) Federal Election Commission (FEC)- agency that enforces election laws

CAMPAIGN FINANCE REFORM 2002 Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act 2002 Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act (McCain Feingold) (McCain Feingold) Banned soft money directly to a candidate Banned soft money directly to a candidate *unlimited amounts of money that can be given to a political party so long as that candidate is not named. Sharply restricted independent expenditures- corporations, unions and other groups can ’ t advertise referring to a candidate by name 30 days before a primary and 60 days before a general election.

Citizens United v FEC (2010) Struck down the restrictions on independent expenditures as a violation of the 1 st amendment. Struck down the restrictions on independent expenditures as a violation of the 1 st amendment. This led to record spending in the 2010 election cycle by corporations and special interests. This led to record spending in the 2010 election cycle by corporations and special interests.

Money in Electoral Campaigns President gets money from private and public funds from general tax revenues during the nomination process. President gets money from private and public funds from general tax revenues during the nomination process. Congress gets private money. Congress gets private money. Federal restrictions: Federal restrictions: $2400 limit for individual contributions $2400 limit for individual contributions $5000 limit for PAC contribution $5000 limit for PAC contribution

Political Action Committees (PACS) PAC Requirements PAC Requirements 1) At least 50 voluntary members 1) At least 50 voluntary members 2) Give to at least 5 federal candidates 2) Give to at least 5 federal candidates 3) limited to $5000 per election per candidate. 3) limited to $5000 per election per candidate.

Buckley v Valeo (1976) The government cannot limit the amount of money candidates spend on their own family’s resources. The government cannot limit the amount of money candidates spend on their own family’s resources. This decision was based on a candidates 1 st Amendment right of free speech. This decision was based on a candidates 1 st Amendment right of free speech.

WHY INCUMBENTS WIN? Name recognition Name recognition Constituent service Constituent service Easier to raise money Easier to raise money Assignments on committees that serve their constituents Assignments on committees that serve their constituents Free Press Free Press Take credit for anything positive that has happened. Blame Washington (or prez) for anything bad that has occurred. Take credit for anything positive that has happened. Blame Washington (or prez) for anything bad that has occurred. FRANKING PRIVILEGE FRANKING PRIVILEGE

CAMPAIGNS Campaigns are extremely expensive. Campaigns are extremely expensive. Most campaigns are now concentrated on the media. Most campaigns are now concentrated on the media. Negative ads work, that ’ s why they use them. Negative ads work, that ’ s why they use them.

CAMPAIGNS Incumbents are rarely challenged in a primary election. Incumbents are rarely challenged in a primary election. A primary election is an election to nominate a candidate for office, has a low voter turnout. A primary election is an election to nominate a candidate for office, has a low voter turnout.

Types of Primaries Closed primaries are most common, you must belong to a party to participate in primary. Closed primaries are most common, you must belong to a party to participate in primary. Open primaries allow any registered voter to participate. Open primaries allow any registered voter to participate.

Most important thing to campaign is name recognition, most get known to be chosen. Most important thing to campaign is name recognition, most get known to be chosen. Open seat is an election where there is no incumbent. Parties stay out of primary until a winner is chosen, then they put their support fully behind the nominee. Open seat is an election where there is no incumbent. Parties stay out of primary until a winner is chosen, then they put their support fully behind the nominee.

MIDTERM ELECTIONS Presidential races are much more competitive than House races, the winning margins are more narrow. Presidential races are much more competitive than House races, the winning margins are more narrow. Midterm Election is an election that occurs every two years in a non- presidential election year. Midterm Election is an election that occurs every two years in a non- presidential election year. Turnout much lower Turnout much lower All Congressmen up for reelection (435 seats) All Congressmen up for reelection (435 seats) 1/3 of Senators up for reelection 1/3 of Senators up for reelection President coattails not as great President coattails not as great

Congressional Breakdown Each state has 2 Senators Each state has 2 Senators House seats set at 435 House seats set at 435 Number per state determined by population Number per state determined by population Dispersion changes every 10 years with National Census. Dispersion changes every 10 years with National Census. Florida has enjoyed the greatest jump in representation due to the last 2 counts. Florida has enjoyed the greatest jump in representation due to the last 2 counts.

DRAWING DISTRICTS The State Legislature is responsible for redrawing the district lines if the census causes a state to gain or lose a seat in the House. The State Legislature is responsible for redrawing the district lines if the census causes a state to gain or lose a seat in the House. Gerrymandering – boundaries drawn to favor one party rather than another resulting in odd-shaped districts. This is unconstitutional. Gerrymandering – boundaries drawn to favor one party rather than another resulting in odd-shaped districts. This is unconstitutional. Malapportionment- districts are drawn w/ very different populations. Illegal. Baker v Carr (1962) Malapportionment- districts are drawn w/ very different populations. Illegal. Baker v Carr (1962)

Nominating a President 1 st Iowa Caucus – Party leaders meet to select candidate 1 st Iowa Caucus – Party leaders meet to select candidate Caucus may pick more ideological candidates. Caucus may pick more ideological candidates. 2 nd New Hampshire Primary – Voters choose favorite candidate 2 nd New Hampshire Primary – Voters choose favorite candidate Almost all states have primaries Almost all states have primaries

PARTY CONVENTION Party convention is where the candidate is officially nominated as presidential candidate for party. Party convention is where the candidate is officially nominated as presidential candidate for party. Every 4 years receive delegates to make it official. Every 4 years receive delegates to make it official. National chair- controls party convention. National chair- controls party convention. Each convention sets party platform for upcoming four years. Each convention sets party platform for upcoming four years.

Campaigns Campaign is dominated by television. Campaign is dominated by television. Debates really don ’ t make a difference unless a candidate really screws up. Debates really don ’ t make a difference unless a candidate really screws up. This is referred to as the gaffe problem- President Ford This is referred to as the gaffe problem- President Ford

Electoral College Winner take all in each state – you receive more votes in a state, you win all the electoral votes for that state. Winner take all in each state – you receive more votes in a state, you win all the electoral votes for that state. You need a majority of electoral votes to win the presidency. You need a majority of electoral votes to win the presidency. Total electoral votes is 538, but 270 would be the majority. Total electoral votes is 538, but 270 would be the majority. The electoral college vote makes the margin of victory seem larger than it really is. The electoral college vote makes the margin of victory seem larger than it really is.

No Electoral Winner 12 th Amendment – creates separate elections for the president and vice president. 12 th Amendment – creates separate elections for the president and vice president. If no candidate wins 270 votes If no candidate wins 270 votes Presidential race goes to House, each state gets a vote, 26 votes wins. Presidential race goes to House, each state gets a vote, 26 votes wins. Vice President races goes to Senate, each senator gets a vote, 51 votes wins. Vice President races goes to Senate, each senator gets a vote, 51 votes wins.

WHO WINS AND WHY The most recognized with the most money raised and is an incumbent wins. The most recognized with the most money raised and is an incumbent wins. Party affiliation still #1 reason why you vote for someone. Party affiliation still #1 reason why you vote for someone. Democrats have larger numbers, should win, but Republicans have higher turnout and get more independent voters. Democrats have larger numbers, should win, but Republicans have higher turnout and get more independent voters.

WHO DECIDES ELECTIONS? Party ID still #1 Party ID still #1 Democrats have more registered voters Democrats have more registered voters Republicans have higher turnout. Republicans have higher turnout. GOP does better among independents GOP does better among independents People change parties when their interests change. People change parties when their interests change.

What decides elections? 1) strength of economy. 1) strength of economy. 2) popularity of candidate. 2) popularity of candidate. 3) party loyalty and ideology. 3) party loyalty and ideology. In Congressional campaigns: In Congressional campaigns: District lines and who is included and excluded in the district. District lines and who is included and excluded in the district.