Transcript Candidates and Campaigns

Candidates and
Campaigns
Part I: The loss of party control
What’s in a slogan?
The weakening of party control:
 Ironically,
U.S. party
organizations do not dominate
campaigns
 The 19th and 20th C. were difft.
 Parties were in control of
nominations, elections, and
platforms
What is a Nomination?
 The
selection of the person who
will run as the party’s candidate
in the general election
 Until last century, nominations
were the resp. of the party (city)
 Party bosses controlled,
Progressives called for party
democracy
Nominations
 Primary
elections (Direct primary)
 Most serious assault. Progressive
party reduced strength of parties
 Now candidates can look beyond
their own party for help!
 Voters
Primaries
choose a party’s
nominees for public office
 Closed primaries: limited to those
of that party
 Open primaries: allows
independents and those of either
 Blanket primary: single ballot
where all are listed (mix and
match) Increased use! (CA.)
Prop
 In
Primaries
the Presidential realm, NH is
significant as the first test of
candidate
 Front-loading & importance of “Super
Tuesday”
 NY & CA have actually moved their
dates!
 The overall strategy: momentum. Ex:
New Hampshire
 30 states have Pres. primaries
Are there any other methods?
 The
Convention method
 Iowa: 1st state to hold caucus each
election year
 Def: a meeting of party members to
select candidates (or elect convention
delegates)
 A proving ground state!
Are Iowa and New Hampshire
overrepresented because of their early
dates?
Which is better for America- keeping
the state campaigning as is, or
changing the dates? Why and how?

Talking stick 2 min. activity. Pass the stick
three times!
Why does each party have a
national convention?
Is it as important today?
The National Convention
 Dates
back to the 1830’s with
“open” by Jacksonian Dem.
 It’s the excitement, chaos, and
nomination of the party’s candidate
for Prez. (formality)
 VP also comes later- by way of Prez.
candidate
 (method ignored for House and
Senate)
 The
The General Campaign
final round for battle for
Presidency
 Momentum and “convention
bump” hugely important
 Uses campaign staff, funds,
money from DNC or RNC,
consultants (hired guns), Press
Secretary
On the campaign trail
(The candidates love trains!)
Obama’s campaign 2008
$26,455
$7,002
$550,232
$91,540,892
ADMINISTRATIVE
CAMPAIGN EXPENSES
$187,849,414
CONTRIBUTIONS
$45,548,691
FUNDRAISING
MEDIA
OTHER
$26,158,282
TRANSFERS
UNKNOWN
$5,745,049
The #1 expense was what?
Take a Step Back… The Election
Process
invisible primary” first step:
raising money. Start-up at least $20m
(consultants, fundraisers, pollsters)
 GW Bush raised over $80 million!
Obama.. even more!
 Prez. reelection often no opposition!
 Announcement-primary (Jr. Tuesday,
Super Tuesday)-campaign-general el.
 “The
Funding in the 2008 Election:
Notice, Obama ultimately REJECTED
federal funds… this allowed him to
fundraise an unlimited amount!
Hippocampus link:

The Primary, Caucus, and Convention
Clinton: He who plays the sax,
laughs last.
Go to Reading: Is the US Primary System Flawed?