Nominations and Campaigns Chapter 9. Types of Campaigns ► Nomination Campaigns – This is the FIRST campaign politicians take part in - the goal is to

Nominations and Nominations and CampaignsCampaigns

Chapter 9Chapter 9

Types of CampaignsTypes of Campaigns►Nomination Campaigns – This is the FIRST Nomination Campaigns – This is the FIRST

campaign politicians take part in - the goal campaign politicians take part in - the goal is to win your partyis to win your party’’s nomination for office. s nomination for office. You are running against members of YOUR You are running against members of YOUR OWN party.OWN party.

►Election Campaigns – This is the SECOND Election Campaigns – This is the SECOND campaign, once youcampaign, once you’’ve WON the ve WON the nomination - the goal is win an elected nomination - the goal is win an elected office in government. You RUN against an office in government. You RUN against an opponent from the OTHER party.opponent from the OTHER party.

The Upcoming Presidential Campaign The Upcoming Presidential Campaign Calendar (get this in your notes!)Calendar (get this in your notes!)

►The year (OR TWO) before the election - The year (OR TWO) before the election - Announce intent to runAnnounce intent to run

► January-June of 2016 - Caucuses and Primary January-June of 2016 - Caucuses and Primary Elections in every state (Nomination Elections in every state (Nomination campaign)campaign)

►End of Summer of 2016 - National Party End of Summer of 2016 - National Party Conventions – one for each party (this is the Conventions – one for each party (this is the start of the ELECTION campaign!)start of the ELECTION campaign!)

►Fall of 2016 - Debates between CandidatesFall of 2016 - Debates between Candidates►November 2016 - General Election November 2016 - General Election ► January 20January 20thth 2017 - Inauguration!! 2017 - Inauguration!!

The Nomination GameThe Nomination Game

►NominationNomination: the official endorsement of a : the official endorsement of a candidate for office by a political party candidate for office by a political party (this happens at the CONVENTION!) (this happens at the CONVENTION!)

►Generally, success requires momentum, Generally, success requires momentum, money, and media attention.money, and media attention.

►Campaign StrategyCampaign Strategy: the master game : the master game plan candidates lay out to guide their plan candidates lay out to guide their electoral campaignelectoral campaign


►Deciding to RunDeciding to Run Campaigns are more physically and Campaigns are more physically and

emotionally taxing than ever.emotionally taxing than ever. Other countries have short campaigns, Other countries have short campaigns,

generally less than 2 months.generally less than 2 months. American campaigns are much longer.American campaigns are much longer.

►Whoever is elected president declares their Whoever is elected president declares their intention to run early in the year BEFORE the intention to run early in the year BEFORE the election.election.

►Candidates for the 2012 presidential election Candidates for the 2012 presidential election announced their candidacy by the summer of 2011announced their candidacy by the summer of 2011

Delegates? HUH?Delegates? HUH?►When you participate in a caucus or When you participate in a caucus or

primary, you are choosing DELEGATES who primary, you are choosing DELEGATES who will attend the convention in support of the will attend the convention in support of the candidate you like best. A vote for candidate you like best. A vote for Candidate X is REALLY a vote for a Candidate X is REALLY a vote for a delegatedelegate to attend the convention to SUPPORT to attend the convention to SUPPORT Candidate XCandidate X

► The more delegates supporting Candidate X The more delegates supporting Candidate X at the convention, the more likely he/she is at the convention, the more likely he/she is to get the nominationto get the nomination

►Primaries vs Caucuses http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_95I_1rZiIs

The Nomination GameThe Nomination Game►Competing for DelegatesCompeting for Delegates

The Caucus RoadThe Caucus Road►CaucusCaucus: system for selecting delegates used : system for selecting delegates used

in about a dozen rural states. Voters show in about a dozen rural states. Voters show up at a set time and attend an open meeting up at a set time and attend an open meeting to show their preference for President.to show their preference for President.

►Caucusing is EASY! Caucusing is EASY! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=racTAiemEQU

►A handful of states use a caucus—open to all A handful of states use a caucus—open to all voters who are registered with a party. voters who are registered with a party. Takes more time on the part of the people. Takes more time on the part of the people. Lower turnout than for states with primaries.Lower turnout than for states with primaries.

►The Iowa caucus is first and most important.The Iowa caucus is first and most important.

The Nomination GameThe Nomination Game► Competing for DelegatesCompeting for Delegates

The Primary RoadThe Primary Road►PrimaryPrimary: elections in which voters in a state : elections in which voters in a state

vote for a nominee (or delegates pledged to vote for a nominee (or delegates pledged to the nominee)the nominee) Began at turn of 20Began at turn of 20thth century by century by

progressive reformersprogressive reformers Most delegates are chosen through Most delegates are chosen through

primaries.primaries. SuperdelegatesSuperdelegates: party leaders who : party leaders who

automatically get a delegate slot at the automatically get a delegate slot at the National Convention (NOT a good example National Convention (NOT a good example of democracy of democracy ) – Both parties have them) – Both parties have them

►FrontloadingFrontloading is the tendency of states to hold is the tendency of states to hold primaries early to capitalize on media primaries early to capitalize on media attention. New Hampshire is first.attention. New Hampshire is first.

►Generally primaries serve as elimination Generally primaries serve as elimination contests.contests.

McGovern-Fraser McGovern-Fraser CommissionCommission

► Formed as a reaction to the violence at the Formed as a reaction to the violence at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago in Democratic National Convention in Chicago in 1968 (anti-war party members felt they weren1968 (anti-war party members felt they weren’’t t represented within the convention)represented within the convention)

► Wanted to be sure that the delegates to the Wanted to be sure that the delegates to the DNC were really representative of the DNC were really representative of the Democratic Party itself (women, minorities, Democratic Party itself (women, minorities, etc.) etc.)

► This led to the primary elections in most states This led to the primary elections in most states and transformation of the Republican party and transformation of the Republican party process as wellprocess as well

► This was a HUGE advancement for true This was a HUGE advancement for true democracydemocracy

The Nomination GameThe Nomination Game►Competing for DelegatesCompeting for Delegates

Evaluating the Primary and Caucus SystemEvaluating the Primary and Caucus System►Disproportionate attention to early primaries and Disproportionate attention to early primaries and

caucusescaucuses►Prominent politicians do not run.Prominent politicians do not run.►Money plays too big a role.Money plays too big a role.►Participation in primaries and caucuses is low Participation in primaries and caucuses is low

and unrepresentative (voters are older and more and unrepresentative (voters are older and more affluent); 25 percent vote in primaries, and only affluent); 25 percent vote in primaries, and only about 5% vote in caucuses (except Iowa, where about 5% vote in caucuses (except Iowa, where itit’’s 20%)s 20%)

►The system gives too much power to the media.The system gives too much power to the media.


►Competing for DelegatesCompeting for Delegates Nomination game is an elimination contestNomination game is an elimination contest Goal is to win a majority of delegatesGoal is to win a majority of delegates’’ support support

at the at the national party conventionnational party convention, or the , or the supreme power within each of the partiessupreme power within each of the parties►The convention meets every four years to The convention meets every four years to

nominate the partynominate the party’’s presidential and vice-s presidential and vice-presidential candidates.presidential candidates.

►Party platform is written.Party platform is written.►Conventions are but a formality today (theyConventions are but a formality today (they’’re re

really a big party!!).really a big party!!).


► The Convention Send-offThe Convention Send-off National conventions once provided great drama, National conventions once provided great drama,

but now are a formality, which means less TV but now are a formality, which means less TV time.time.

Significant rallying point for partiesSignificant rallying point for parties Key note speaker on first day of ConventionKey note speaker on first day of Convention Party platformParty platform: statement of a party: statement of a party’’s goals and s goals and

policies for next four yearspolicies for next four years►Debated on the second day of the ConventionDebated on the second day of the Convention

Formal nomination of president and vice-Formal nomination of president and vice-president candidates on third and fourth days president candidates on third and fourth days


The Campaign GameThe Campaign Game

►The High-Tech Media CampaignThe High-Tech Media Campaign Direct mailDirect mail is used to generate support is used to generate support

and money for the candidateand money for the candidate Get media attention through ad budget Get media attention through ad budget

and and ““freefree”” coverage coverage Emphasis on Emphasis on ““marketingmarketing”” a candidate a candidate News stories focus more on the News stories focus more on the ““horse horse

racerace”” than substantive policy issues than substantive policy issues


►Organizing the CampaignOrganizing the Campaign Get a campaign managerGet a campaign manager Get a fund-raiser & campaign counsel Get a fund-raiser & campaign counsel

(attorney)(attorney) Hire media and campaign consultantsHire media and campaign consultants Assemble staff and plan logisticsAssemble staff and plan logistics Get research staff, policy advisors, and Get research staff, policy advisors, and

pollsterspollsters Get a good press secretaryGet a good press secretary Establish a websiteEstablish a website


How to Give Money to How to Give Money to Political CampaignsPolitical Campaigns

► Campaign contributionsCampaign contributions can be given to the can be given to the candidatescandidates’’ campaigns and to the political campaigns and to the political parties, which go into their bank accounts and parties, which go into their bank accounts and can be used for anything (these must be can be used for anything (these must be reported to the FEC) Limits: $2500 per election reported to the FEC) Limits: $2500 per election to a candidate, $30,800 to a political party to a candidate, $30,800 to a political party

►Donations to groups that make Donations to groups that make independent independent expendituresexpenditures to express political views which to express political views which may aid a candidatemay aid a candidate’’s campaign, but cannot s campaign, but cannot coordinate WITH the campaigncoordinate WITH the campaign

Money and CampaigningMoney and CampaigningFederal Election Campaign Act Federal Election Campaign Act (1974)(1974)

Created the Created the Federal Election Federal Election Commission Commission (FEC) to administer (FEC) to administer campaign finance laws for campaign finance laws for federalfederal electionselections

Required candidates to disclose of who Required candidates to disclose of who is donating money to federal campaigns is donating money to federal campaigns and how the funds are being spentand how the funds are being spent►Created the Presidential Election Campaign Fund ($3 Created the Presidential Election Campaign Fund ($3

voluntary donation on income tax forms)voluntary donation on income tax forms)►Provided partial public financing for presidential Provided partial public financing for presidential

primariesprimaries Matching fundsMatching funds: Candidates who raise $5000 in : Candidates who raise $5000 in

at least 20 states can get donations of up to at least 20 states can get donations of up to $250 matched by the federal treasury. If $250 matched by the federal treasury. If candidates accept this money they agree to limit candidates accept this money they agree to limit what they spend on their campaigns.what they spend on their campaigns.

Money and CampaigningMoney and Campaigning

Federal Election Campaign Act (1974) Federal Election Campaign Act (1974) continuedcontinued►Provided full public financing for major party Provided full public financing for major party

candidates in the general election. In 2008, this candidates in the general election. In 2008, this fixed amount was $85 million. Obama did not fixed amount was $85 million. Obama did not accept it and raised money in maximum accept it and raised money in maximum amounts of $2300 per individual donor. He amounts of $2300 per individual donor. He raised $337 million which gave him a huge edge raised $337 million which gave him a huge edge over McCain who accepted the $85 million.over McCain who accepted the $85 million.

►Required full disclosure of all campaign Required full disclosure of all campaign donations to the FEC listing who contributed and donations to the FEC listing who contributed and how muchhow much

►Limited contributions per individual to $1000 Limited contributions per individual to $1000 when the law was enacted. The limit was raised when the law was enacted. The limit was raised to $2500 in 2012.to $2500 in 2012.

Money and CampaigningMoney and Campaigning► The Maze of Campaign Finance ReformsThe Maze of Campaign Finance Reforms

Soft MoneySoft Money: political contributions (not subject to : political contributions (not subject to contribution limits) earmarked for party-building contribution limits) earmarked for party-building expenses or generic party advertisingexpenses or generic party advertising

The McCain-Feingold ActThe McCain-Feingold Act (2002) banned soft (2002) banned soft money, increased amount of individual money, increased amount of individual contributions, and limited contributions, and limited ““issue ads.issue ads.””

Ever since McCain Feingold, people have been Ever since McCain Feingold, people have been looking for ways around the law so they can looking for ways around the law so they can influence elections with big dollar donationsinfluence elections with big dollar donations

How do big donors get away How do big donors get away with unlimited donations?with unlimited donations?

► They donate to 527 groupsThey donate to 527 groups: Just known as 527s. : Just known as 527s. Independent groups that seek to influence political Independent groups that seek to influence political process but are not subject to contribution restrictions process but are not subject to contribution restrictions because they do not directly seek election of particular because they do not directly seek election of particular candidates. candidates.

► Created as a way for groups to get around the ban on Created as a way for groups to get around the ban on soft money. Examples: Swift Boat Veterans for Truth soft money. Examples: Swift Boat Veterans for Truth (anti-Kerry 527) and Moveon.org (anti-Bush 527) These (anti-Kerry 527) and Moveon.org (anti-Bush 527) These donations still have to be reported to the FEC, but there donations still have to be reported to the FEC, but there is no dollar limit on themis no dollar limit on them

►Swift Boat Veterans Ad►Moveon.org Anti-Bush ad

Undoing McCain-FeingoldUndoing McCain-Feingold

► 527’s had SOME restrictions under McCain Feingold. 527’s had SOME restrictions under McCain Feingold. One limit was that corporations and unions could NOT One limit was that corporations and unions could NOT use their moey to electioneer in the last 60 days of a use their moey to electioneer in the last 60 days of a federal campaignfederal campaign

► Citizens United v. FEC (2010) Citizens United v. FEC (2010) :says that this was a :says that this was a limit on free speech. Corporations and unions can now limit on free speech. Corporations and unions can now spend as much as they like to promote their political spend as much as they like to promote their political views as long as they do it without coordinating their views as long as they do it without coordinating their message with a candidate’s campaign. Expenditures message with a candidate’s campaign. Expenditures were seen as protected forms of speechwere seen as protected forms of speech

► Criticisms: special interest money is corrupting the Criticisms: special interest money is corrupting the election processelection process

Money and CampaigningMoney and Campaigning► The Proliferation of PACsThe Proliferation of PACs

Political Action Committees (PACs): Political Action Committees (PACs): created by law created by law in 1974 to allow corporations, labor unions and in 1974 to allow corporations, labor unions and other interest groups to donate money to other interest groups to donate money to campaigns; PACs are registered with and campaigns; PACs are registered with and monitored by the FEC.monitored by the FEC.

As of 2008 there were 4,611 PACs.As of 2008 there were 4,611 PACs. PACs contributed over $412.8 million to PACs contributed over $412.8 million to

congressional candidates in 2008congressional candidates in 2008 PACs donate to candidates who support their issue.PACs donate to candidates who support their issue. PACs do not PACs do not ““buybuy”” candidates, but give to candidates, but give to

candidates who support them in the first place.candidates who support them in the first place. All PAC donations must be carefully recorded by All PAC donations must be carefully recorded by

candidatescandidates

Money and CampaigningMoney and Campaigning

Super PACsSuper PACs

► After Citizens United, another case, After Citizens United, another case, SpeechNow.org SpeechNow.org v. FEC v. FEC ruled that donations to PACs who ONLY make ruled that donations to PACs who ONLY make independent expenditures CANNOT be limited. independent expenditures CANNOT be limited. With this unlimited power to donate, journalists With this unlimited power to donate, journalists named them Super PACs.named them Super PACs.

► The wealthiest people in the country who HAD been The wealthiest people in the country who HAD been limited to $2500 donations to the candidate of their limited to $2500 donations to the candidate of their choice, could now send MILLIONS to a Super PAC to choice, could now send MILLIONS to a Super PAC to run ads on behalf of their candidaterun ads on behalf of their candidate

► Some see them as freedom of expression, others Some see them as freedom of expression, others see them as corruption of the systemsee them as corruption of the system

Money and CampaigningMoney and Campaigning►Are Campaigns Too Expensive?Are Campaigns Too Expensive?

Fundraising takes a lot of time.Fundraising takes a lot of time. Incumbents do worse when they spend Incumbents do worse when they spend

more money because it means they need more money because it means they need to spend more to defeat quality to spend more to defeat quality challengers.challengers.

The doctrine of sufficiency suggests that The doctrine of sufficiency suggests that candidates need just candidates need just ““enoughenough”” money to money to win, not necessarily win, not necessarily ““more.more.”” (Meg Whitman (Meg Whitman lost to Jerry Brown although she outspent lost to Jerry Brown although she outspent him by $100 million)him by $100 million)

The Impact of CampaignsThe Impact of Campaigns

►Campaigns have three effects on voters:Campaigns have three effects on voters: Reinforcement, Activation, ConversionReinforcement, Activation, Conversion

►Several factors weaken campaignsSeveral factors weaken campaigns’’ impact on voters:impact on voters: Selective perceptionSelective perception: pay most attention to : pay most attention to

things we agree withthings we agree with Party identification still influences voting Party identification still influences voting

behaviorbehavior Incumbents begin with sizeable advantageIncumbents begin with sizeable advantage

Understanding Nominations Understanding Nominations and Campaignsand Campaigns

► Are Nominations and Campaigns Too Are Nominations and Campaigns Too Democratic?Democratic? Campaigns are open to almost everyone.Campaigns are open to almost everyone. Campaigns consume much time and money.Campaigns consume much time and money. Campaigns promote individualism in Campaigns promote individualism in

American politics.American politics.►Do Big Campaigns Lead to an Increased Do Big Campaigns Lead to an Increased

Scope of Government?Scope of Government? Candidates make numerous promises, Candidates make numerous promises,

especially to state and local interests.especially to state and local interests. Hard for politicians to promise to cut size of Hard for politicians to promise to cut size of

governmentgovernment

SummarySummary

► Campaigns are media-oriented and Campaigns are media-oriented and expensive.expensive.

►Delegates are selected through caucuses Delegates are selected through caucuses and primaries.and primaries.

►Money and contributions from PACs Money and contributions from PACs regulated by the FEC are essential to regulated by the FEC are essential to campaigns. campaigns.

► Campaigns reinforce perceptions but do not Campaigns reinforce perceptions but do not change minds.change minds.

Documents

Nominations and Campaigns Chapter 9. Types of Campaigns ► Nomination Campaigns – This is the FIRST campaign politicians take part in - the goal is to