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NOMINATIONS AND CAMPAIGNS
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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
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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
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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
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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
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DEFENDERS Candidates Brings candidates into contact with people
Best to start in small states and then “graduate” to larger states
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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
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REGIONAL PRIMARY REFORM
Groups of states would vote the same week Critics What region gets to go first Is that an advantage/disadvantage
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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
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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
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CAMPAIGN GAME Organization Campaign manager Fundraiser
Counsel/Attorney Media consultant Staff Plan logistics Researchers Pollster Press Secretary
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MONEY IN CAMPAIGNS Why needed? Where does it come from?
High tech campaigns Organizations Where does it come from? Candidate Supporters/constituents Interest groups
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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
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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
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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
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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
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