Election Campaigns Vote Conventions

Phases of Political Campaigns Potential candidates begin “testing the water” 1½ - 2 years before the election. Primary campaigns begin about 1½ years before the election. Primaries in most states - December-April (a few in May and June) Party caucuses in spring State party conventions – early summer National party conventions – summer Main campaign August – November Election in November

What is the objective? To win enough votes in the Electoral College to assure victory for their party’s candidate. 538 voters in the Electoral College Must have 270 votes to win Presidency.

Balancing Priorities New Hampshire Texas In the primaries – small states critical Because of early primaries Don’t want to be labeled a “loser” In main election – big states critical Because of Electoral College system Big populations New Hampshire Texas

Campaign Strategy versus ? Aggressive attack? Low-key approach? Slogans? Themes? Issues to emphasize? $$$ on TV? Radio? Newspapers? versus ?

Campaign Organization Strong organization essential Campaign manager Political advisors Specialists State party officials Local party officials Field workers (volunteers)

TV and the Candidate’s Image Desire to appear “presidential” People believe what they “see” “Packaging” News coverage (often staged) TV news = most common source of news Political commercials Televised debates

Financing Campaigns Very expensive $$$ Financing Campaigns Very expensive In 2000, Bush and Gore spent $629 million in about 14 weeks of “main” campaign.

Financing Campaigns $$$ Soooo . . . Campaigns are getting more For the 2012 campaign, Obama raised over $1 billion. Soooo . . . Campaigns are getting more expensive each election cycle.

Campaign Finance Rules Until 1970’s – campaign money came entirely from contributions Suspicions about what candidate promised in order to get contributions Wealthy had too much power No limits on how much could be contributed.

Reform of Campaign Laws Principals of reform Public funding of campaigns Place limits on spending Public disclosure Only individuals (people, not corporations) could donate max $1000 No donations from corporations, unions, etc.

Political Action Committees Growth of PACs Political Action Committees Individual (including corporations) can give PAC max of $5000 PAC can give candidate max $5000 PAC can contribute to many candidates

Soft Money Money for “general purposes” not designated for a specific candidate Includes non-money donations Disclosure issues

Recent Reform Efforts However Prohibit “soft” money donations Ceilings on spending Full disclosure Stakes are high Who will control government? However

Citizens United Supreme Court decision was 5/4 which opened the door to unlimited donations to super PACS People, companies and unions can give whatever they want to boost someone to office or remove them. This ruling puts more power in the hands of wealthy individuals.

Money and Ethics

ASSIGNMENT Your “ideal” candidate has Work with your partner Your “ideal” candidate has agreed to run for President. Based upon what you learned today: 1) Create a timeline for his/her campaign in 2012. 2) What 3 issues will be most important to your “ideal” candidate and what position will he/she take on those 3 issues? Issue #1 ___?____ Position: ________ ________?_______ Issue #2 ___?____ Position: ________ ________?_______ Issue #3 ___?____ Position: ________ ________?_______