1. PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS
AIM: What are the steps to becoming President of the U.S.?

2. Announcement to Run
Win Primary’s (election) to Get your Party’s Nomination
Run a campaign against opposing party.
Win the election

3. I. Exploration and Announcement
Hillary Getting Started - YouTube
Exploratory Committee
Assembles a staff
Campaign manager
Political consultants
Pollsters
Staffers
volunteers
Announces as early as 2 years in advance

4. II. Fundraising Need Large $$$$$$$
Largest amount used to come from individual donors, today Super PACs
2004 George Bush and John Kerry = $576 million
2008 Obama = $750 million
2012 $1 Billion
House and Senate campaigns = $1.3 million to $10 million

5. A. What’s the money used for?
Administrative expenses: office rent, utilities, staff, traveling, polling, fundraising expense
Biggest Expenditure:
T.V. Advertising

6. B. Campaign Financing Huge sums lead to corruption
Attempt at Campaign Finance Reform?
FEC
McCain-Feingold Act
Citizens United v. US
Clean Elections??: receive a flat sum from the government

8. C. Super Pac
may raise unlimited sums of money from corporations, unions, associations and individuals, then spend unlimited sums to overtly advocate for or against political candidates.

9. III. Polling Polling – provides information on Voter Concerns
Views of Candidates positions on issues
How voters say they will vote
“The Bradley Effect” CA. Governor’s Race: election results did not match polling. Factors involved Race.

10. Presidential Polling numbers
Real Politics

11. A. What are Focus Groups? Small sample of people
help a candidate position himself on an issue
(Ex. What language evokes the best response, what do they like or dislike about the candidate)

12. IV. Party Primaries A. Primary: state wide party election
Caucus: meetings of party members
C. Goal: Elect delegates committed to voting for a particular candidate at national Republican and Dem. Conventions.

13. D. OPEN vs. CLOSED
1. Open Primary: voters choose which primary to vote in
2. Closed Primary: only registered party members may vote
New York has a closed party system
(Howard Dean)

14. E. Important Primary Dates
January 18: Iowa caucus
January 16: New Hampshire primary
Candidates from both parties will most likely be decided with the March 1st primary, “Super Tuesday”
New York Primary April 19th
(Exception 2008 Dem. Primary Season not decided until June 2008)

15. F. Super Delegates!!!!!
(in the Democratic Party) an unelected delegate who is free to support any candidate for the presidential nomination at the party's national convention
Pros’s:
Con’s:

16. V. Party Conventions A. Platform is written
B. Nominating and seconding speeches
A vote by delegates
2016
Democrats: Philadelphia PA July 25-28
Republicans: Cleveland OH July 18-21

17. D. Announcement of Vice President nominee
Qualifications of VP - Same as the President
35 years old
Natural born citizen
14 year resident

18. 2. ROLE OF THE VP Balancing the Ticket
1.Choose a VP who will win votes for the president.
b. President of the Senate – casts tie breaking vote.
Replaces President if unable to serve
25th amendment
e. Position of VP is stepping stone to the presidency

19. E. Two candidates acceptance speech

20. Presidential Debates

21. Commission on Presidential Debates
1987 by the Democratic and Republican
Sponsors and produces debates
Selects a site
$7,500 application fee
Why would a College or University want to host a presidential debate?

22. VI. General Election Campaign
After Labor Day, campaigns go in to full gear. Democrat vs. Republican
Most money spent on T.V. and radio ads.
Mudslinging: goes back to very first presidential election
Presidential Debates held
Election Day: November 8th, 2016