1. The Presidential Election Process It Is Ugly

2. Mentioning How do you get “mentioned”? How do you get considered? Who is being mentioned now for the GOP? Why are there no Democratic “mentions”?

3. What is the GOAL? The goal is to earn enough DELEGATES to the NATIONAL CONVENTION to get a Party’s NOMINATION. How are delegates earned?

4. Get a STRONG Start! 1st Caucus : Iowa in JANUARY 1st Primary: January in NEW HAMPSHIRE A poor showing in these states and you are DONE (ask Guiliani) A Strong showing and you are MADE (ask The President)

5. PURPOSE of Primary Season? To narrow down a field of candidates Democrats fielded 8 Republicans fielded 7 CAN YOU NAME THEM?

6. The Democrats

7. The Republicans (minus Tancredo and Hunter)

8. What is the Schedule? http://frontloading.blogspot.com/2009/01 /presidential-primary-and-caucus- dates.html

9. What do you notice?

10. Frontloading The process of moving the Primaries and Caucuses earlier in the season so that your state can be more “relevant” (ie: have a GREATER choice in candidate selection. Why should the farmers have all the fun? I want someone to come to my BBQ!!!!!) BACKFIRED in 2008. Why?

11. What is a “caucus” It is a MEETING of eligible voters at local precincts where candidates must publicly get 15% of the room in order to be viable “grassroots”

12. What is a “primary” ? It is an election. The Democrats give PROPORTIONAL delegates if you earn at least 15% of a state’s vote. The GOP= Winner Take All: win the state get ALL the delegates. WHO VOTES IN PRIMARIES?

13. Minnesota? We have a “praucus”. Or a “caucary”. You must GO to a meeting (6-8pm) and cast your vote there. Democrats can come and go. Republicans must stay the whole time. It is UP TO THE STATE to choose the system.

14. The Delegates Delegates are individuals chosen to represent their states at their party conventions prior to a presidential election. The rules for selecting delegates, which are dictated by the parties, can be dizzying Democrats4,050 Reward the large states Republicans2,348 Reward the loyal states

15. SUPERDELEGATES! Are elected officials who automatically go to the Conventions - (Governors, Congresspersons etc) The SDs pave the way for “ordinary” people to attend. Why are they important? Ask Hillary!

16. The Convention The Party in the White House goes last. The candidate pick a VP. Criteria? Disasters? MOMENTUM

17. 2008 Results state.php?year=2008&fips=#B6740

18. The General Election Debates Catching the “swing vote” and moving to the Middle Chasing Electoral Votes $$$$$ McCain: 333 million Obama: 730 million WHICH BRINGS US TO THE QUESTIONS

19. QUESTIONS? Should campaign spending be limited? Should there be a cap on personal money spent on a campaign? Should there be a corporate spending cap on campaigns? Should there be an individual spending cap on campaigns? Constitutionality?

20. Individuals How Much? $2,300 Per Candidate Per Election Cycle $95, 000 Maximum (2 years) to CANDIDATES (hard money)

21. Corporations CANNOT by law give money directly to candidates or parties ! They create PACS (political action committees)

22. PACS A committee set up by a corporation, labor union or interest group (pro-life, Gay and Lesbian rights, the Milk Producers of America, Liberals for Lotteries) that raises and spends campaign money from voluntary donations

23. What is the purpose? Supporting candidates that support their issue, industry, philosophy

24. Rules? Have at least 50 contributors Give to at least FIVE candidates Can’t exceed $5,000 per election Or $15,000 to a National Party Individual Donations to PACS can’t exceed $5,000 per year

25. GO TO: www.opensecrets.org

26. Campaign Finance Limitations FEC: Federal Election Commission MCCAIN-FEINGOLD LAW –Killer fight over this one! 1. Limits on “hard money” contributions 2. Eliminated :soft money” contributions –(money to National Political Parties) 3. Full Transparency 4. No Interest Group Ads that mentioned a candidate’s name could air 60 days or closer to an election (UC) Internet NOT covered

27. Buckley v. Valeo (1976) It is UNCONSTITUTIONAL to limit campaign SPENDING (why would it not be UC to limit contributions?)

28. Millionaire’s Amendment If a candidate is running against an individual of excessive personal wealth, they do not have to adhere to CFR fundraising rules.

29. 527s There is ALWAYS a way to get around the law isn’t there? 527 “Advocacy” Groups (Move On, Swift Boat Veterans For Truth)