Nominations Campaigns

The Nomination Game Nomination Campaign Strategy LO 9.1 The Nomination Game Lecture Outline A nomination is a party’s official endorsement of a candidate for office. Success in the nomination game generally requires money, media attention, and momentum. Candidates attempt to manipulate each of these elements through campaign strategy. Nomination The official endorsement of a candidate for office by a political party. Success in the nomination game requires momentum, money, and media attention. Campaign Strategy Master game plan that guides a candidate’s electoral campaign. To Learning Objectives 2

The Nomination Game Deciding to Run LO 9.1 The Nomination Game Lecture Outline Deciding to Run Campaigns are more strenuous than ever, and many strong (perhaps elect-able) candidates decide not to run. Unlike Britain—where campaigns are limited by law to five weeks—a presidential candidacy in the United States needs to be either announced or an “open secret” for at least a year before the election. Presidential candidates need to be risk takers; they need enough self-confidence to put everything on the line in pursuit of the presidency. Deciding to Run A presidential candidacy in the United States needs to be either announced or an “open secret” for at least a year before the election. Barack Obama made clear his intention to run for president in January 2007. To Learning Objectives 3

Where are candidates chosen? National Party Convention: Delegates from each state elect candidate SUPER DELEGATES: Party officials who get a vote (20%) Delegates are chosen by a primary system 2012 Conventions Democrats-Charlotte, NC Republicans-Tampa, Fl

Coverage of Conventions

Question Would it be better to have a small group of very informed voters pick the candidates or have the candidates picked by every single possible voter? Caucus Primary

Competing for Delegates Caucus - A system for selecting convention delegates used in about a dozen mostly rural states in which voters must show up at a set time and attend an open meeting to express their presidential preference. Presidential primaries are elections in which a state’s voters go to the polls to express their preference for a party’s nominee for president.

Primary Terms Binding and non-binding delegates Types: Open, Closed, Blanket Frontloading and Compression

9.1 FIGURE 9.1: A count of Clinton and Obama events during the 2008 nomination campaign The attention that candidates pay to early primary and caucus states is far more than the number of delegates at stake would otherwise warrant. 11

Criticisms Uneven attention to early states The process takes too long. Too costly. Low turnout. Media and polls drive election.

The Campaign Game The High-Tech Media Campaign Direct mail used to generate support and money for the candidate Get media attention through ad budget and “free” coverage Emphasis on “marketing” a candidate News focuses on strategies and events, not on policies

The Campaign Game Organizing the Campaign Get a campaign manager Get a fund-raiser & counsel Hire media and campaign consultants Assemble staff / plan the logistics Get research staff, policy advisors & pollsters Get a good press secretary Establish a website

Money and Campaigning The Maze of Campaign Finance Reforms Federal Election Campaign Act (1974) Created the FEC to administer campaign finance laws for federal elections. Created the Presidential Election Campaign Fund. Provided partial public financing for presidential primaries (matching funds). Provided full public financing for major party candidates in the general election. Required full disclosure. Limited Contributions.

Money and Campaigning The Decline in Income Tax Check-Off Participation for Federal Financing of Campaigns (Figure 9.3)

9.3 Figure 9.2: How Obama raised more campaign money by declining federal funds Accepting federal funds would mean agreeing to a spending cap. By declining federal funds, Barack Obama was able to raise much more money for his campaign for the presidency. Unless the spending cap is raised significantly or eliminated, it’s unlikely that any future presidential candidates will accept federal funds. Do you think the public financing option should be ended? 17

Money and Campaigning The Proliferation of PACs Definition: Created by law in 1974 to allow corporations, labor unions and others to donate money to campaigns. As of 2004 there were 3,868 PACs. PACs contributed over $258 million to congressional candidates in 2002. Donate to candidates who support their issue, regardless of party affiliation Not sufficient data that PACs “buy” candidates

Money and Campaigning

527 groups New route for soft money Independent expenditures Endorsements forbidden

Money and Campaigning Soft Money Contributions (with no limits) used for party-building expenses or generic party advertising McCain-Feingold Act (2002) banned soft money, increased amount individuals can contribute, and limited “issue ads”. Citizens United- Supreme court ruled that corporations and unions can give direct donations. 501(c)-Unlimited anonymous contributions as long as less than half spent on political activ. SUPER PACS- Can raise unlimited amount of money to support a candidate but not give directly to candidate.

9.3 TABLE 9.1: Biggest 10 Super PAC donations in 2012 This table shows the largest contributors to Super PACs in the 2012 presidential election. Activity: Campaign finance has remains a controversial topic, especially in light of the Citizens United decision. An engaging class discussion could focus on the role of money in politics. Ask: Why would some groups and individuals want to avoid disclosing their spending on campaigns? What are some ways voters might access information on who’s funding campaigns? Should disclosure of who funds campaign communications be required? 22

Money and Campaigning Are Campaigns Too Expensive? Fund raising takes up lots of time. Incumbents do worse when they spend more money because they need it when they face tough challengers. The doctrine of sufficiency suggests that candidates need just “enough” money to win, not necessarily “more.”

The Impact of Campaigns Campaigns have three effects on voters: Reinforcement, Activation, Conversion Mostly, they only reinforce & activate Selective perception: pay attention to things we agree with. Party identification still has an affect Incumbents start with a substantial advantage

2008

Electoral College Change 2012

Who is helped out ?