Chapter 9 NOMINATIONS, ELECTIONS and CAMPAIGNS

Learning Outcomes 9.1 Describe how election campaigns have changed over time 9.2 Explain the procedures followed in the nomination of both congressional and presidential candidates 9.3 Describe the function of the electoral college and formulate arguments for and against the electoral vote system Copyright 2014 Cengage Learning 2

Learning Outcomes 9.4 Analyze the American election campaign process in terms of political context, financial, resources, and strategies and tactics for reaching the voters 9.5 Assess the effects of party identification, political issues, and candidate attributes on voter choice 9.6 Explain the significance of candidate-centered as opposed to party-centered election campaigns for both majoritarian and pluralist democracy Copyright 2014 Cengage Learning 3

The Evolution of Campaigning  Election Campaigns  Have evolved from party-centered to candidate- centered  Candidates must now also campaign to get nominated Copyright 2014 Cengage Learning 4

Nominations  Nomination for Congress and State Offices  Primary Election  Utilized by 40 states to nominate candidates for all state and national offices  Closed primaries  Open primaries  Modified closed primaries  Modified open primaries Copyright 2014 Cengage Learning 5

Nominations  Nomination for President  Each party chooses presidential nominee at national convention  Selecting convention delegates  Presidential primary  Caucus/convention  Campaigning for the Nomination Copyright 2014 Cengage Learning 6

7

Elections  Presidential Elections and the Electoral College  The Electoral College: Structure  The Electoral College: Politics  The Electoral College: Abolish It?  Congressional Elections  Straight ticket, split ticket Copyright 2014 Cengage Learning 8

9

10

Campaigns  The Political Context  Two important structural factors for candidates  Office sought  Incumbent or challenger  Financing  Regulating campaign financing  FEC  PACs  527s  501(c)4  SuperPacs Copyright 2014 Cengage Learning 11

Campaigns  The Political Context  Financing (cont’d)  Public financing of presidential campaigns  Matching funds  Private financing of congressional campaigns  Future trends in campaign finance  Bundling (result of 2010 Citizens United decision) Copyright 2014 Cengage Learning 12

Campaigns  Strategies and Tactics  Party-Centered Strategy  Issue-Oriented Strategy  Candidate-Oriented Strategies  Polling packages  Benchmark polls  Focus groups  Trend polls  Tracking polls Copyright 2014 Cengage Learning 13

Campaigns  Strategies and Tactics  Making the news  Advertising the candidate  Using the Internet Copyright 2014 Cengage Learning 14

Explaining Voting Choice  Party Identification  Most of electorate decides vote before party conventions, generally based on party identification Copyright 2014 Cengage Learning 15

Explaining Voting Choice  Issues and Policies  Candidates’ Attributes  Evaluating the Voting Choice  Campaign Effects  The television campaign  The presidential debates Copyright 2014 Cengage Learning 16

Copyright 2014 Cengage Learning 17

Campaigns, Elections, and Parties  Parties and the Majoritarian Model  Parties and the Pluralist Model Copyright 2014 Cengage Learning 18