Chapter 10 and 11 review

Campaigning for geniuses… Presidential elections (Most people vote here!) : –Must first get “the nod”…then a candidate can run –How can candidates distinguish themselves from others of the same party? –Primary elections tend to reach out to “activists” of each party…why do we use primaries more today? –National Party conventions are now used to primarily give party speeches in front of audiences

Difference between Congress and Presidential campaigns Congressional candidates must be more partisan Congressional candidates don’t get public $ Presidential candidates DO get federal $ Primaries (blanket vs. closed) (front loaded) (used to choose delegates for the convention)

I am so glad we don’t have to have primaries. But at least you get federal funding. These primaries sure drag out. At least I am an incumbent president so I don’t have to worry about it. Don’t mess with Texas.

Helpful hints for running: Funded with private and public funds Get matching funds too, but how? Ride some coattails (not so true anymore, however!) Get the attention of others through TV/radio/internet (mass broadcasting)…Dean did it-so can you! What NOT to do…part one

Soft vs. Hard money “Soft money” is the term used for campaign donations that are unlimited in amount, hard to trace, and hard to follow in terms of how a major party uses the funding

Howard, dear, I heard that the BCRA slowed $’s influence…is that true?

Arrrrrrrrrggggggggghhhhhhhhhhhh! …gosh that felt good…to answer your question-no, not really, money will always find a way to work its way back into the system…on that note, do you want to contribute to my Dean ’12 campaign? Ok, here is the max I can give you- $2500…you’re my hero! I love your blog!

Campaign finance reform Efforts have been minimal because –PACs have actually increased contributions –the issue of free speech has limited restrictions –lobby and interest groups seem to find a way around the controls –those that win from current systems see no reason to change

Conventions Unite party, officially nominate candidate, set platform Superdelegates invited Decide on next convention Dems have a complicated formula to attempt more diversity (Really conventions nowadays are just to hear speeches…)

Which types of issues? Homer’s platform: Yes! On a women’s right to choose, NO! on lower crime rates…I mean YES! On lower crime rates! (Position vs. valence)

Some phrases to know… Coattail effect (split ticket voting has limited this effect) Balancing the ticket (region and ideology) –Although candidates don’t always win their home state – Gore lost Tennessee Critical elections: realignment occurs

I lost Tennessee? Why didn’t anyone tell me? Stupid global warming.

More random campaign knowledge a recent trend in presidential campaigns has been an increase in personal attacks on candidates ( hey, it works…) –AKA cardstacking Incumbents win…a lot…

Elections House: SMDs, FPTP, plurality Senate: at large from the state President: Electoral College

What’s going on here? Poor midwest…Don’t mess with Texas! Maybe in 2010 you’ll get another chance to gain seats..but I doubt it!

Interest groups.. We are a country of joiners Madison was afraid factions would dominate We believe we have a right to access our leaders So we organize: groups w/shared goals that want to advance these goals

What do interest groups do? Collect info, talk to politicians and the public Develop PACs who hire lobbyists (more and more PACs since 1973) Donate money to campaigns Know stuff about their issues (small tax laws, etc.)

Interest group info… More business interest groups than other groups Labor union membership/interest groups have declined Politicians sometimes leave politics to get jobs through interest groups/lobbyists (revolving door) Sometimes powerful interest groups have a BIG voice when they don’t represent the majority of the people… Use law suits (litigation), campaign contributions, grass roots movements

To write… or not to write… Know: Reapportionment Redistricting Gerrymandering Know: Political parties vs. interest groups Interest groups’ tactics