2. The Election Process Pathway to the Presidency Nomination (primary season) and election (general election); two separate steps, two strategies

3. Incumbent Advantages House vs. Senate Frank Privilege For the House – safe districts and gerrymandering Provide services for constituents Name recognition Usually no challenge in the Primary Advantage in raising money Is this good or bad? (the high rate of incumbency)

4. Nomination Process Campaigning Person campaigns around the country trying to gain support of his/ her party Develop a Platform Ideology in Primary vs. General election Theme, timing, tone Can you get media coverage? (horse race effect) Needs money……. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vFPIYObrelw

6. Nomination Process Primaries/Caucus State elections to determine who is the best candidate for the party. Takes place over several months Closed Primaries – can only vote in your parties election Open Primaries – Can vote in either party’s primary Blanket Primary – All candidates listed on one ballot Caucus – Town hall style meeting http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cnh-136QqO8

7. National Convention Big party to officially united the party and announce their candidate and VP. Platform used to be decided. Now Individual Candidate determines to some extent Now is just a media event. Key Note Speaker!!! Last night – the candidate finally accepts the nomination. http://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=YyIWMWs67yI

8. The General Election Campaign No longer a “national” campaign but targeted state campaigns Role of Money Debates – still important today –Helps two parties –Helps challenger (unless you are Bush in 2004) –Much more controlled now Famous Debate moments http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DF9gSyku- fc&feature=PlayList&p=E02E199A28BE4F43&index =5http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DF9gSyku- fc&feature=PlayList&p=E02E199A28BE4F43&index =5 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QazmVHAO0os http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O-7gpgXNWYI http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ffbFvKlWqE&fea ture=PlayList&p=C6FA4C507CE18C2E&index=0http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ffbFvKlWqE&fea ture=PlayList&p=C6FA4C507CE18C2E&index=0

9. Election Day First Tuesday of November Voter turnout….? Popular Vote does not elect the President – but does determine other offices Midterm elections– lower turnout and normal for “ruling” party to lose seats in Congress Party Label is important in General Election

10. Electoral College Decides the President Makes the election less competitive (popular vote is normally pretty close) The Election is actually 50 (51 ) separate state elections –each state worth so many points – winner takes all. Was created to keep one region from determining the election, safe guard against democracy, and a compromise between slave and non slave states.

11. Officially take office the following year Congress – January 3 rd The President - January 20 th

12. Winning During peacetime, presidential elections are usually decided on the basis of three factors: –Political party affiliation –The economy –Character Prospective voting is used by relatively few voters Retrospective voting is practiced by most voters, and decides most elections

13. Coalitions Democratic coalition: African Americans, Jews, Hispanics (not Cuban) Catholics, southerners and union members are leaving the Democrats Republican coalition: business and professional people who are very loyal, farmers