Presidential election process Unit 7

What are the qualifications of a president?What are the qualifications of a president? How is a campaign run?How is a campaign run? What is the purpose and role of a V.P.?What is the purpose and role of a V.P.? What is the purpose and role of a Convention?What is the purpose and role of a Convention? What impact do debates and the media have elections?What impact do debates and the media have elections? What is the structure of the Presidential election process?What is the structure of the Presidential election process?

Creating the campaign The candidate eHere.htm eHere.htm

Creating the campaign The candidate What do people look for in a candidate for president?What do people look for in a candidate for president?

Creating the campaign The staff Campaign managersCampaign managers Finance DirectorsFinance Directors Communication DirectorsCommunication Directors –Sec. of the Press PollstersPollsters Internet teamsInternet teams AdvisorsAdvisors Volunteers… main force behind the GOTV campaignsVolunteers… main force behind the GOTV campaigns

Creating the campaign The money 2000: $1.7 billion raised by two major parties 2004: $880 million 2008: FEC reports… FEC reports…FEC reports… Finance rules: IndividualsPACsParties

The election process The Caucus Citizens of an area meet at a given location to select the candidate they will support in the general electionCitizens of an area meet at a given location to select the candidate they will support in the general election Used by 12 statesUsed by 12 states NRg NRg

The election process The Primary Primary: A pre-election event regulated by the states to narrow the field for the general electionPrimary: A pre-election event regulated by the states to narrow the field for the general election Winner-take-all vs. proportional primariesWinner-take-all vs. proportional primaries grants delegates to anyone with more than 15% of the vote in a district The closed primary:The closed primary: only a party’s registered voters can vote The open primary:The open primary: all registered voters may vote regardless of affiliation

Choosing a V.P. Amendment 25 of U.S. Constitution…Amendment 25 of U.S. Constitution… –In case of the removal of the President from office…the Vice President shall become President Role of VP?Role of VP? Factors in choosing VPFactors in choosing VPGeography Electoral votes AgeGenderExperience

The Convention Purpose…Purpose… –Establish a Platform –Nominate Candidates –Showcase the party and future leaders of the party DelegatesDelegates –State party members selected by voters to nominate candidates at the national convention Republicans=winner take allRepublicans=winner take all Democrats=proportional representationDemocrats=proportional representation SuperdelegatesSuperdelegates –special unelected party leaders that are free to nominate whomever they wish

The Debates First televised debate: 1960First televised debate: 1960 No telepromptersNo teleprompters Puts candidates “on the spot”Puts candidates “on the spot” Provides advantage for challenger to incumbentProvides advantage for challenger to incumbent Allows media to heavily influence votersAllows media to heavily influence voters Debate ReviewDebate ReviewDebate ReviewDebate Review

Election comparison With the 2000, 2004 & 2008 elections compare and contrast the results of the following: Voter interestVoter interest Government involvementGovernment involvement Military experienceMilitary experience Political experiencePolitical experience Economy and other issuesEconomy and other issues Importance of issuesImportance of issues What trends or conclusions can be drawn?

The 2000 election Issues: Economic prosperityEconomic prosperity Peace abroadPeace abroad Clinton’s credibilityClinton’s credibility Popular vote… Gore: 50,996,116Gore: 50,996,116 Bush: 50,456,169Bush: 50,456,169 Florida The butterfly ballot & the chad caused a recount The Supreme Court Gore v Bush… –Florida recount violated Bush’s 14 th amendment rights –Stopped recount Bush gets FloridaFlorida

The butterfly ballot & the chad

The 2004 election Issues: 9/11 and terrorism Democrats’ focus: “Respected abroad, stronger at home” Republicans’ focus: War on terror ResultResult…

The 2008 election Top Issues: Economy Deficit Terrorism Iraq Healthcare Candidates: Obama McCain Result

Election comparison With the 2000, 2004 & 2008 elections compare and contrast the results of the following: Voter interestVoter interest Government involvementGovernment involvement Military experienceMilitary experience Political experiencePolitical experience Economy and other issuesEconomy and other issues Importance of issuesImportance of issues What trends or conclusions can be drawn?

Lessons learned Parties need to avoid extremismParties need to avoid extremism Parties must be unitedParties must be united Debates do matterDebates do matter Candidates need to stay on messageCandidates need to stay on message Every vote countsEvery vote counts

The Electoral College What? Group of people from each state chosen to select the President and Vice President 538 members from the 50 states and D.C. Each state has the same number of electors as they do members of Congress Whoever gets a majority of electoral votes (270) wins If no one wins a majority it is given to the House to decide

The Electoral College Why? Established by James Wilson as a compromise Established to protect the people from themselves

The Electoral College in history 1800 – –Burr lost to Jefferson in the House 1824 – –Jackson lost to Adams in the House 1876 – –Hayes loses the popular vote but wins the electoral vote 1888 – –Harrison loses the popular vote but wins the electoral vote 2000 – –Bush loses the popular vote but wins the electoral vote 2008

The Electoral College Other factors to consider… Reapportionment The Congressional district plan… – –Candidate receives one electoral vote for each congressional district they win – –Candidate receives two extra electoral votes for each state they win

The Electoral College Should it be abolished???