DateDate: January 31, 2011: January 31, 2011

TopicTopic: Campaigns and : Campaigns and NominationsNominations

AimAim: How does the campaign and : How does the campaign and nomination process function?nomination process function?

Do NowDo Now: Handout: Handout

CHAPTER 9

The Nomination GameThe Nomination GameNominationNomination::

The official endorsement of a candidate for The official endorsement of a candidate for office by a political party. Generally, success office by a political party. Generally, success requires momentum, money, and media requires momentum, money, and media attention.attention.

Campaign StrategyCampaign Strategy::The master plan candidates lay out to guide The master plan candidates lay out to guide

their electoral campaign.their electoral campaign.

The Nomination Game – why might a The Nomination Game – why might a politician not want to run for the politician not want to run for the

presidency?presidency?Deciding to RunDeciding to Run

Other countries have short campaigns- generally Other countries have short campaigns- generally less than 2 months.less than 2 months.

U.S. campaigns (especially for President) can last U.S. campaigns (especially for President) can last 18 months or more.18 months or more.

Generally need to start out with an electoral base Generally need to start out with an electoral base already established.already established.

The Nomination GameThe Nomination GameCompeting for DelegatesCompeting for Delegates

The Caucus RoadThe Caucus RoadCaucus: Meetings of party leaders. Used to select Caucus: Meetings of party leaders. Used to select

delegates on the basis of their preference. delegates on the basis of their preference. Now organized like a pyramid from local precincts to the Now organized like a pyramid from local precincts to the

state’s convention.state’s convention.Not used by many states.Not used by many states.Iowa’s is considered the most important – The Iowa Iowa’s is considered the most important – The Iowa

Caucus. Caucus. Ex: 2008 Iowa Caucus – Obama (D) Huckabee (R)Ex: 2008 Iowa Caucus – Obama (D) Huckabee (R)

The Nomination GameThe Nomination GameCompeting for DelegatesCompeting for Delegates

The Primary RoadThe Primary RoadPrimary: Elections in which voters choose the nominee or Primary: Elections in which voters choose the nominee or

delegates pledged to the nominee.delegates pledged to the nominee.Started by turn of the century reformers.Started by turn of the century reformers.Most states use one of the forms of a primary.Most states use one of the forms of a primary.Many primaries are early- with New Hampshire being the Many primaries are early- with New Hampshire being the

first.first.Generally serve as elimination contests.Generally serve as elimination contests.

The Nomination GameThe Nomination GameCompeting for DelegatesCompeting for Delegates

Evaluating the Primary and Caucus SystemEvaluating the Primary and Caucus SystemDisproportionate attention to the early ones.Disproportionate attention to the early ones.Prominent politicians find it difficult to make time to run.Prominent politicians find it difficult to make time to run.Money plays too big a role.Money plays too big a role.Participation in primaries and caucuses is low and Participation in primaries and caucuses is low and

unrepresentative.unrepresentative.McGovern/Fraser Commission McGovern/Fraser Commission make the delegate make the delegate

selection process more representative ie: delegates selection process more representative ie: delegates chosing the candidate represent a diverse cross section chosing the candidate represent a diverse cross section of the public. of the public.

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

Figure 9.1Figure 9.1

The Nomination GameThe Nomination Game

The Perception of Iowaand New Hampshire

February 1, 2011February 1, 2011

Do NowDo Now: Handout: HandoutNotes.Notes.Video Clip.Video Clip.Notes. Notes.

The Nomination GameThe Nomination Game

The Convention Send-offThe Convention Send-offOnce provided great drama, but now they are a Once provided great drama, but now they are a

basic formality- which means less TV time.basic formality- which means less TV time.Are still important to the party to get organized and Are still important to the party to get organized and

motivated.motivated.Party platform: Statement of its goals and policies Party platform: Statement of its goals and policies

and general beliefs.and general beliefs.Official nominations and candidate speechesOfficial nominations and candidate speeches..

The Campaign GameThe Campaign Game

The High-Tech Media CampaignThe High-Tech Media CampaignUse of Use of direct maildirect mail to generate support and to generate support and

money for the candidate. money for the candidate. Get media attention through Get media attention through ad budgetad budget and and

“free” coverage. “free” coverage. Emphasis on Emphasis on “marketing”“marketing” a candidate. a candidate. News focuses on strategies and events, not News focuses on strategies and events, not

on policies. on policies.

The Campaign GameThe Campaign Game

Organizing the CampaignOrganizing the CampaignGet a campaign manager.Get a campaign manager.Get a fund-raiser & counsel.Get a fund-raiser & counsel.Hire media and campaign consultants.Hire media and campaign consultants.Assemble staff / plan the logistics.Assemble staff / plan the logistics.Get research staff, policy advisors & pollsters.Get research staff, policy advisors & pollsters.Get a good press secretary.Get a good press secretary.

FEBRUARY 3, 2011FEBRUARY 3, 2011

Do NowDo Now: Handout: HandoutNotes.Notes.Video Clip.Video Clip.Handout.Handout.Notes. Notes.

Money and CampaigningMoney and CampaigningThe Proliferation of PACsThe Proliferation of PACs

DefinitionDefinition: Created by law in 1974 to allow : Created by law in 1974 to allow corporations, labor unions and others to corporations, labor unions and others to donate money to campaigns.donate money to campaigns.

Over 3900 PACs donating over $212 millionOver 3900 PACs donating over $212 millionDonate to candidates who support their issue, Donate to candidates who support their issue,

regardless of party affiliation.regardless of party affiliation.Not sufficient data that PACs “buy” Not sufficient data that PACs “buy”

candidates.candidates.

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

FEC (Federal Election Campaign Act)FEC (Federal Election Campaign Act): Created by law : Created by law in 1974 to administer campaign finance laws for in 1974 to administer campaign finance laws for federalfederal elections.elections.Public financing of presidential elections. Public financing of presidential elections. Limited spending & required disclosure – limited to $1,000 for Limited spending & required disclosure – limited to $1,000 for

individual donations/$5,000 from individual donations/$5,000 from PAC’s.PAC’s.This is known as This is known as Hard MoneyHard Money. . Limited contributions to campaignsLimited contributions to campaigns

Soft MoneySoft MoneyContributions (with no limits) used for party-building expenses Contributions (with no limits) used for party-building expenses

or generic party advertising – not to a specific candidate. or generic party advertising – not to a specific candidate.

Contribution Limits 2009-10

 

To each candidate or

candidate committee

per election

To national party

committee per calendar

year

To state, district &

local party committee

per calendar year

To any other political

committee per calendar

year1

Special Limits

Individual may give

$2,400* $30,400* $10,000

(combined limit)

$5,000

$115,500* overall biennial limit: $45,600* to all candidates $69,900* to all PACs and parties2

National Party Committee may give

$5,000 No limit No limit $5,000

$42,600* to Senate

candidate per

campaign3

State, District & Local Party Committee may give

$5,000 (combined

limit) No limit No limit $5,000 No limit

PAC (multicandidate)4

may give

$5,000 $15,000 $5,000

(combined limit)

$5,000 No limit

PAC (not multicandidate) may give

$2,400* $30,400* $10,000

(combined limit)

$5,000 No limit

Authorized Campaign Committee may give

$2,0005 No limit No limit $5,000 No limit

From Table 9.1From Table 9.1

Money and CampaigningMoney and Campaigning

$ given$ given % to Rep% to Rep

MicrosoftMicrosoft 3,942,4353,942,435 5353

Philip MorrisPhilip Morris 2,830,9852,830,985 8080

Am Fed of State EmplAm Fed of State Empl 6,500,8896,500,889 11

Comm. workers of AmComm. workers of Am 3,687,6143,687,614 11

NRANRA 2,884,1272,884,127 9292

Emily’s ListEmily’s List 1,979,8291,979,829 00

Money and CampaigningMoney and Campaigning

Are Campaigns Too Expensive?Are Campaigns Too Expensive?Fund raising takes up lots of time.Fund raising takes up lots of time.The closer the race, the more money is The closer the race, the more money is

needed.needed.Does Money Buy Victory?Does Money Buy Victory?

Too much money can be worse than not Too much money can be worse than not enough.enough.

But, candidates need “enough” money to winBut, candidates need “enough” money to win

The Impact of CampaignsThe Impact of CampaignsCampaigns are perceived as doingCampaigns are perceived as doing::

Reinforcement, Activation, ConversionReinforcement, Activation, ConversionMostly, they only reinforce & activateMostly, they only reinforce & activate

Selective perception: pay attention to things we Selective perception: pay attention to things we agree with.agree with.

Party identification still has an affect.Party identification still has an affect. IncumbentsIncumbents start with a substantial advantage. start with a substantial 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 everyoneCampaigns are open to almost everyoneBut they are time and money consumingBut they are time and money consuming

Do Big Campaigns Lead to an Do Big Campaigns Lead to an Increased Scope of Government?Increased Scope of Government?They involve lots of communicationThey involve lots of communicationHard to be all things to all peopleHard to be all things to all people