Running for President

The Race for the Nomination Potential candidates for President will typically start exploring the idea of a run after the midterm elections Potential candidates for President will typically start exploring the idea of a run after the midterm elections Candidates will attempt to evaluate their viability as a candidate; could they win? can they fund raise? do they want to invest the time and energy? Candidates will attempt to evaluate their viability as a candidate; could they win? can they fund raise? do they want to invest the time and energy? Potential candidates will frequently be seen visiting states such as Iowa and New Hampshire since they hold early nominating contests Potential candidates will frequently be seen visiting states such as Iowa and New Hampshire since they hold early nominating contests Once candidates announce they frequently engage in debates and events with the other candidates Once candidates announce they frequently engage in debates and events with the other candidates

Caucus vs. Primary Caucus is an open meeting of party members where people group by the candidate and give speeches to try to convince undecided voters to support their candidate Caucus is an open meeting of party members where people group by the candidate and give speeches to try to convince undecided voters to support their candidate Iowa holds the nation’s first caucus, traditionally the first time candidates go before the voters Iowa holds the nation’s first caucus, traditionally the first time candidates go before the voters Results can shake up the presidential race or mean little; what can cause this to occur Results can shake up the presidential race or mean little; what can cause this to occur First in the nation primary occurs in New Hampshire; open primary (favors what type of candidate) First in the nation primary occurs in New Hampshire; open primary (favors what type of candidate) Strategy? Strategy? Why would other states try to move this primary and caucus dates up? Why would other states try to move this primary and caucus dates up? Iowa Caucus shook up the 2008 presidential election Iowa Caucus shook up the 2008 presidential election

What Makes a Successful Candidate? Governors and generals have traditionally been much stronger candidates than members of Congress; why? Governors and generals have traditionally been much stronger candidates than members of Congress; why? Ability to fund raise? Ability to fund raise? What is going on in the country? People frequently look for the opposite of what they currently have if they are unhappy What is going on in the country? People frequently look for the opposite of what they currently have if they are unhappy Why have sitting presidents always defeated intra-party challengers? Why have sitting presidents always defeated intra-party challengers? Do they have a message that resonates with people? Do they have a message that resonates with people? “Morning in America”“Morning in America” “Hope and Change”“Hope and Change” Ted Kennedy nearly took the Democratic nomination from President Carter in 1980 Ted Kennedy nearly took the Democratic nomination from President Carter in 1980

Picking a Vice President Regional balance and carrying a state: Candidates will sometimes seek balance geographically to appeal to a wider group of people; Kennedy & LBJ, 1960 Regional balance and carrying a state: Candidates will sometimes seek balance geographically to appeal to a wider group of people; Kennedy & LBJ, 1960 Ideological balance: a candidate may select a VP from a different “wing” of the party; Reagan and Bush 1980 Ideological balance: a candidate may select a VP from a different “wing” of the party; Reagan and Bush 1980 Buzz factor: Who will bring attention to the ticket; usually used by trailing candidate; Palin 2008 Buzz factor: Who will bring attention to the ticket; usually used by trailing candidate; Palin 2008 “Fill Gaps”: If a president is considered weak or inexperienced in an area they pick somebody that is seen as an expert in that area; Biden 2008 “Fill Gaps”: If a president is considered weak or inexperienced in an area they pick somebody that is seen as an expert in that area; Biden 2008 Who Would Make a Good President: Several President have dies in office so who would be a good replacement; Truman replaces Wallace in 1944 Who Would Make a Good President: Several President have dies in office so who would be a good replacement; Truman replaces Wallace in MRrIjxnfI MRrIjxnfI MRrIjxnfI MRrIjxnfI

Campaign Electoral College: candidates have to attempt to figure out what states they expect to win, which they expect to lose, and what states will be close; “battle ground states” Electoral College: candidates have to attempt to figure out what states they expect to win, which they expect to lose, and what states will be close; “battle ground states” Controlling the narrative: candidates have a message they are trying to get across; you must define who you are!!! Goldwater will start a war, swift boat veterans for truth Controlling the narrative: candidates have a message they are trying to get across; you must define who you are!!! Goldwater will start a war, swift boat veterans for truth Scandals and news events can distract and change the message; Bin Laden 2004 Scandals and news events can distract and change the message; Bin Laden 2004 Using the media and obtaining positive coverage is important; bad images can hurt a campaign Using the media and obtaining positive coverage is important; bad images can hurt a campaign Debates: performance in debates can greatly influence voters views; 1960; Reagan Debates: performance in debates can greatly influence voters views; 1960; Reagan : : Dukakis tank photo; George H.W. Bush’s campaign effectively used images and Dukakis’ gaffes to make him look weak 1988 Dukakis tank photo; George H.W. Bush’s campaign effectively used images and Dukakis’ gaffes to make him look weak