1. ELECTION DAY: NOVEMBER, 2012 AMERICAN ELECTIONS

2. PLAN I - A basic understanding of US Elections A- American election, the rules matter… B- Presidential campaign, money matter… II- The Agenda: III- The main candidates

3. I-A American elections, the rules matter… The American paradox : a world audience but a non electoral political participation and a no deep interest Indirect Elections: a comprehensive and complex process Importance of federalism: the winner take all Indirect elections: an unfair system? Two-party system : Democrats and Republicans

4. I-B PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGN, MONEY MATTER… KEY ROLE OF MONEY IN AMERICAN ELECTION

5. I-B PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGN, MONEY MATTER… OBAMA, THE EXPERT OF DONATION CAMPAIGN THE IMPORTANCE OF PRIVATE FINANCING 2 TYPES OF RESOURCES FOR PRIVATE FINANCING : - 527 ORGANIZATION - POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE (PAC)

6. 2- AGENDA

7. II- Agenda, the Key stages Stage1 selection stage: January-September 2012  5 month process : primaries and national conventions for each party  June 2012 – End of Presidential Primaries (Montana et south Dakota). Stage 2 real political battle : Sept- Nov. 2012  6 November, 6 2012 – Presidential Election day  January, 20 2013: Inauguration day – Effective starting date for the new president

8. The candidates ✔ Only 2 major contemporary party have political power in the states ✔ They have distinctive core values and representations:

9. III-B Picture of 4 top Republican presidential candidates 2012

10. Picture of 4 top Republican presidential candidates 2012

11. Vocabulary : Key words ✔ Grassroots ✔ Endorsement ✔ Super Tuesday ✔ Caucus ✔ Ballot ✔ Voters turnout ✔ Indirect elections ✔ Electoral colleges ✔ GOP (Grand Old Party) ✔ The winner takes all

12. To go further…. ★ English websites: ✔ The washington Post Politics ✔ The HUFFINGTON POST, elections 2012 ✔ Real Clear Politics Elections ★ French Websites: ✔ L’EXPRESS.FR, éléctions américaines de 2012 ✔ FRANCE USA MEDIA, the Ben Franklin Post ★ Blogs: ✔ I LOVE POLITICS ✔ AMERICA POLIPHONY