election campaigns. phases of political campaigns potential candidates begin “testing the water”...
TRANSCRIPT
Election Campaigns
Phases of Political CampaignsPhases of Political Campaigns
• Potential candidates begin “testing the water” 1½ - 2 years before the election.
• Primary campaigns begin about 1½ years before the election.
• Primaries in most states - December-April (a few in May and June)
• Party caucuses in spring• State party conventions – early summer• National party conventions – summer • Main campaign August – November• Election in November
What is the objective?What is the objective?
To win enough votes in the
Electoral College to assure victory
for their party’s candidate.
538 voters in the Electoral College
Must have 270 votes to win Presidency.
Balancing PrioritiesBalancing Priorities
• In the primaries – small states critical– Because of early primaries– Don’t want to be labeled a “loser”
• In main election – big states critical– Because of Electoral College system– Big populations
Campaign StrategyCampaign Strategy
• Aggressive attack?
• Low-key approach?
• Slogans?
• Themes?
• Issues to emphasize?
• $$$ on TV? Radio? Newspapers?
Campaign OrganizationCampaign Organization
• Strong organization essential
• Campaign manager
• Political advisors
• Specialists
• State party officials
• Local party officials
• Field workers (volunteers)
TV and the Candidate’s ImageTV and the Candidate’s Image
• Desire to appear “presidential”
• People believe what they “see”
• “Packaging”
• News coverage (often staged)
• TV news = most common source of news
• Political commercials
• Televised debates
Financing CampaignsFinancing Campaigns
• Very expensive
• In 2000, Bush and Gore spent $629 million in about 14 weeks of “main” campaign.
For the 2012 campaign, there
is talk that Obama will
probably raise over $1 billion.
Soooo . . . Campaigns are getting more
expensive each election cycle.
Financing CampaignsFinancing Campaigns
Campaign Finance RulesCampaign Finance Rules
• Until 1970’s – campaign money came entirely from contributions
• Suspicions about what candidate promised in order to get contributions
• Wealthy had too much power
• No limits on how much could be contributed.
Reform of Campaign LawsReform of Campaign Laws
Principals of reform• Public funding of campaigns• Place limits on spending• Public disclosure• Only individuals (people, not corporations) could
donate max $1000• No donations from corporations, unions, etc.
Growth of PACsGrowth of PACs
• Individual (including corporations) can give PAC max of $5000
• PAC can give candidate max $5000
• PAC can contribute to many candidates
Soft MoneySoft Money
• Money for “general purposes” not designated for a specific candidate
• Includes non-money donations
• Disclosure issues
Recent Reform EffortsRecent Reform Efforts
• Prohibit “soft” money donations
• Ceilings on spending
• Full disclosure
• Stakes are high
• Who will control government?
Money and Ethics
ASSIGNMENT
Your “ideal” candidate has
agreed to run for President. Based
upon what you learned today:
1) Create a timeline for his/her campaign in 2012.
2) What 3 issues will be most important to your “ideal” candidate and what position will he/she take on those 3 issues?
Issue #1 ___?____
Position: ________
________?_______
Issue #2 ___?____
Position: ________
________?_______
Issue #3 ___?____
Position: ________
________?_______