Elections+and+Campaigns

Elections and Campaigns: by Amara, Brenden, Jess, & Nina!!! "Big Big Things I Want To Talk About" Mr. Roperti

Please view the bottom of this wikipage for the vocab. **__ Congressional Elections __ [|A Good Reference SIte]** **__Presidential vs. Congressional __** **__Presidential Campaigns__** - More voters participate which means that candidates must spend more time and money - The President usually wins between 51-55% of the votes - It is more competitive than Congressional Campaigns - Presidents get little credit for the improvements they make [|Amazing, talented individuals who portray serious views and information on politics.] P.S. Scroll down link-page to view video. - Less voters participate when it is a year that there is not a presidential election -This means that congressional campaigns appeal to more motivated and party-oriented voters - The incumbent usually wins with 60% or more of the votes - They get recognition and credit for the things they accomplish while in office - Candidates can stray from problems in Washington and take no part in the responsibility for the issues - Candidates can ride a good president’s coattail and benefit 1. __Get “mentioned”__ – Be the word on the block -Let people know you are someone who can be taken as someone of serious presidential candidate quality 2. __Devote Time__ – Clock in those hours - A lot of time is often needed in order to be well prepared for a presidential election - Ex) Ronald Reagan devoted 6 years to his campaign 3. __Have Experience__ – Gotta know how to bake a pie before you can open a bakery - Governors, Vice-Presidents and military leaders are often preferred over congressmen 4. __Raise Money__ - $ Get that Cash Money $ -  Build up organization -  PAC can give up to $5,000 -  Need donations of up to $250 from individuals that amounts to $5,000 in order to be eligible for federal matching grants 5. __Get Organized__ – Don’t just color code, get your team of experts - Organize and raise money with specialized team of employees/volunteers - Get endorsements and keep you informed 6.<span style="font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal;"> __Strategize__ – Think before you rap in front of millions -<span style="font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal;"> An incumbent must defend his past -<span style="font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal;"> If you are not an incumbent, you must present ideas but the candidate with the party in the white house must share blame with the issues in Washington -<span style="font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal;"> Campaign should have a positive tone -<span style="font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal;"> Must have an appealing, catchy theme
 * __Congressional Campaigns__**
 * __Buck 25/ American Government Book’s Steps in Running for President__**



-<span style="font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal;"> Can serve without limits -<span style="font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal;"> 90% of incumbents in House win reelection -<span style="font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal;"> Senators serve for 6 years (2 from each state) -<span style="font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal;"> At least 1 representative (stay in office for 2 years) -<span style="font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal;"> Congress decides how many representatives a state has 2 problems with district boundaries affecting outcomes 1.<span style="font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal;"> Malapportionment <span style="font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal;"> i.<span style="font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal;"> Unequal populations in legislative districts 2.<span style="font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal;"> Gerrymandering <span style="font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal;"> i.<span style="font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal;"> Drawing district lines to favor one’s party -<span style="font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal;"> 4 Problems need resolutions to decide who gets represented in the House 1.<span style="font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal;"> Finding the total size of House 2.<span style="font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal;"> Distribute House seats among states 3.<span style="font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal;"> Determining Congressional district sizes within states 4.<span style="font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal;"> Figure out district shapes ·<span style="font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal;"> # 1 and 2 deal with congress and # 3 and 4 deal with states House – 435 members -<span style="font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal;"> Every 10 years the seats are redistributed to states 1.<span style="font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal;"> Get on ballot a.<span style="font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal;"> Petition with signatures 2.<span style="font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal;"> Win party nomination a.<span style="font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal;"> Get more primary votes than opponent b.<span style="font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal;"> Incumbents usually win Second time around, new members become strong in districts (**Sophomore Surge** ) -<span style="font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal;"> Members run personal not party campaigns
 * __Getting Elected Into Congress__**
 * __Winning Primary__**

__Primary Elections Vs General Elections__
1.bp.blogspot.com __Primary Election Voters vs. General Election Voters__ ** ·  When running for a federal election, there is NOT just one election but TWO. ·  The first election is the PRIMARY election. ·  When running for President, Primaries can be carried out by a caucus o  Poor evaluation of who will be elected in general because the voters usually pick the extremely liberal/conservative candidate. ·  Different voters are mobilized during primary elections ·  Candidates must walk a thin line of being extreme enough to be elected but not too extreme so they can be seen as a candidate suitable for all voters in the General election. o  Tough switch. John Kerry is forever a “flip flopper” because of his switch of ideals during the general election debates. · **Primaries** please activists · **General= please common voters** __ **Kinds of Elections** __ ·  Primary- Used to select a party’s candidate who runs in the general election against the other party’s candidate who won his primary election o  **Closed primary**- Must identify with a party in order to vote. Encourages party unity o  **Open primary**- Voting is open to all voters regardless of party affiliation o  **Blanket primary (free love)** – Can vote for any candidate without choosing a party line like in open primaries o  **Runoff primary**- if no majority winner is declared then the two with the most votes has a runoff primary. This is common in the south. o  **Presidential Primary**- used to pick delegates to the presidential nominating conventions of the major parties. Includes 3 types of selection. Delegate selection only, Delegate selection with presidential preferanc and binding presidential preference. §  The names describe how the delegates vote. ·  **General**- fills elective office; winner is the winner aka Obama ·  Position issues vs. Valence issues o  **Position issues** deal with opposing party ideals such as health care, social security, and wartime policy o  These issues divide voters and parties §  Many parties have split based on Position issues due to tariffs, slavery and civil rights. o  **Valence issues** are issues everyone agrees on but voters judge candidates on who matches the public’s shared view. §   Everyone wants a good economy and low unemployment but voters see which candidate identifies more with these topics o  Campaigns usually **combine both issues** but valence issues have become the main focus on presidential elections due to these issues being quick and popular symbols so they are quickly identified with being “likable guys” Television, Debates and Direct Mail Fun Campaign videos Chuck Norris support! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MDUQW8LUMs8 Can a candidate be too famous? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=phBBnxXJdoM 100 years in Iraq? Is McCain aiming to live for another 100 years? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f6ul9iMgmOw Broadcasting on Television has become the greatest thing since sliced bread for candidates. o  Repetitive short ads = **Spots.** News appearances = **Visuals** o   Spots are used to get the candidates name out in the public to be heard over and over again. §  Effect isn’t great on presidential runs for office. Public can get information and judgments from other sources including newspapers, magazines, friends and parties. §  For primary elections however ads get names known and have a greater effect o  Visuals have greater credibility but cost money(youtube) §  Visuals include presidential candidates not talking (because boring) but doing ·  Mostly community service or something that will get them on the news for a positive effect ·  This now becomes candidates doing good just to be seen and not to do good o  Visuals vs. Spots §  Spots tend to convey a lot of information in short amounts of time that stick with voters while news visuals are often just shots of candidates with the only the slogan given as information o  Campaign Debates §  Special kind of candidate “advertising” §  Cons: effect on election outcome not clear but most politics don’t debate so they don’t share the light with their lesser known opponents §  Pros: true position on policy is discovered and a lot of information is given §  Free but Risky ·  One slip can ruin a squeaky clean reputation ·  This results in **Stock speeches** ·  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lKdXNTSP36Q&feature=related ·  This is a memorized speech or answer to questions which can be repetitive but safe and logical o  Our generations effect on campaigning? THE INTERNET! §  Can raise huge amounts of money (Howard Dean) §  Can put any amount of information out there §  New breakthroughs ·  Facebook and myspace both used ·  http://www.facebook.com/group.php?sid=db00b5dd3640035f0f02192ec12ab3cd&gid=35760818705
 * __Two Kinds of Campaign Issues__**
 * __MONEY__** [[image:http://tbn0.google.com/images?q=tbn:LtioA9FWZNcyWM:http://www.whyy.org/blogs/itsourcity/files/2008/11/money-stacks2.jpg width="118" height="123" link="http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.whyy.org/blogs/itsourcity/files/2008/11/money-stacks2.jpg&imgrefurl=http://whyy.org/blogs/itsourcity/2008/11/18/the-elephant-in-the-room/&usg=__0xBsqtEFh8Sp224WjDe5aeVmFk0=&h=392&w=377&sz=27&hl=en&start=5&tbnid=LtioA9FWZNcyWM:&tbnh=123&tbnw=118&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dmoney%2Bstacks%26gbv%3D2%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DX"]] whyy.org

-Government consultants, tv ads, and mailings all cost money. -money is a powerful resource in politics -Because of this outrageous digit: many feel elections are being bought not earned -however, congressman with the most money do not always win. -The largest donors do not buy favors or are owed back because of their large and generous donations. “Money is the Mothers Milk of Politics” said by a Powerful Political Politician. -Why spend HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS of dollars on elections and just create more debt for the nation?! We need to rethink our priorities.
 * -Ridiculous Spending?!...** in 2002 over half a billion dollars was spent on the election by the congressman.

__**Sources Of Campaign Money:**__ -Private donors and the federal government fund presidential candidates -Privates Sources are 100% of congressional candidates funding -Contributions from individual donors less than or equal to $250 will be matched by the government. -To prove yourself as a serious candidate, one must first raise $5000 from 20 states -Congressional candidates receive no funds from the federal government. --all money must be raised from individuals, interest groups(PACS), or political parties. Of course, they can fund themselves as well -do you know who the Biggest contributors are? --- *Individual Donors. -PAC’s can not contribute more than $5000 (That max amount is rarely seen)

Democrat v. Republican debt while in office

__**Campaign Finance Rules**__ -Contributions no larger that $1000 could be made by individuals during a single election -PAC – Political Action Committee -must include 50 plus members -must donate to atleast 5 federal candidates -Can not donate $15000 to a single party -Can not donate more than $5000 to a single candidate __**New Law Made**__: -availability of federal tax money to pay for presidential primary campaigns increased -Increase money spend on elections -the way money was spent is now changed because of the new law. How many PAC’s-there are 4000 plus now -PAC’s provide little assistance in funding though ( often no more than $500) -the bulk of campaign funds are provided by individuals. -the limit is $1000 per election -because of the limit, and because of the importance of individual donations: candidates have to develop new interesting way to reach a large number of individuals and receive massive amounts of funding. -Presidential and Congressional candidates are treated differently -in primary campaigns, candidates can receive matching funds -if $5000 is raised in individual contributions of $250 or less (from 20 states), then it is possible for them to receive matching funds -They are then funded federally, dollar for dollar, ( or $250 for $250 )=because individual contributions must remain below the limit of $250 -minor party candidate -if 5% or more of the vote was won by a candidate, then the could receive some support 2 problems with campaign finance law: -Independent Expenditures -a PAC, Corporation or Labor Union could spend a limitless amount of money as long as it was individual from the candidate. -Soft money -any group could finance limitless amounts of money to parties as long as it was not for a specific candidate. ( tv advertisement bashing a candidate that is not supported by a candidate) - over half a billion dollars was spent in soft money during the 2000 presidential campaign. (James Q. Wilson; American Government Book. Chapter 10, page 250) -The Bipartisan Campaign Finance Reform of 2002 - made 3 major changes -1st: banned soft money from corps. And unions -the only money a party could receive is hard money -hard money : individual donations and PAC contributions limited by the government -2nd: Individual Contributions that were previously $1000 per candidate per election was rasied to $2000. -3rd: Independent expenditures become sharply restricted -527 organizations became the most common way to spend money after the reform act -permit soft money expenditures -can spend their own limitless money on whatever political area as long as it is not coordinated / lobbying for a specific candidate -doesn’t make too big of a difference for presidential elections -Voters care about the economics while voting -if the economy is good—they will realize this and probably stick with the same party -if the economy is bad—they will most likely vote the other way hopeing for “CHANGE” -voters care about character while deciding their president or congressman -however this deals with every aspect of life. Character is a first impression that you can infer if you like somebody or not. -aside from presidential elections, money does make a difference for congressional races -the incumbent has it easy because their name is known, the challengers money that he/she dishes out can decide a lot -higher spending incumbents do better than lower spending ones. -incumbents also raise money easier One can argue…that for any position, the more money you spend the safer you are.
 * __ Yaaay Matching Funds __** ! **__And Federal Support__**
 * __ A Second Campaign Finance Law. __** (yea, there is another one)
 * __ New Sources of Money __**
 * __ Money and Winning __**

= __What Decides the Election? __ = __**Party**__ - Many people may not say it, but they end up voting for the person representing their party - People not aware or knowledgeable about political issues - More Democrats would win if it was based solely on party - Republicans stick to party better than Democrats - Republicans win majority of “independents” - Independents- younger whites - “Strong Republicans” more likely to vote than “Strong Democrats” Effects of Elections on Policy- JM/BK 1) Prospective Voting - Voting for a candidate because if their beliefs on issues usinfo.americancorner.org.tw 2) Retrospective voting - Voting for the party that was already in office if you like what was going on in the past - Voting for the party opposite of the party in office if you do not like what was going on in the past - Most incumbents are reelected to office **-** ** Campaigning can have a huge effect on elections ** 2) Pressure- See how candidates react to pressure 3) Judge- See how candidates act in campaigns can foreshadow how a candidate will act in office - Could cause negativity on a candidate…one candidates high could be the others low [|www.miller-mccune.com] - 2 ways to determine a voting coalition 1) Find out what percent of the different races vote for a Democrat or Republican candidate 2) Find out the ratio of the party’s vote from each race **-** Democratic Coalition  -Majority are African Americans voting - About 2/3’s since 1952…now about 4/5’s since 1964  -Hispanics - Mexican Americans & Puerto Ricans  -Poor People- Low- income blacks  -Were once strong on southerners, Union members, & Catholics votes, but now the number is slowly declining **-** Republican Coalition  -Many professional businessmen are identified as Republicans  -Farmers are generally Republican but are known to switch parties  -Majority of poor peoples vote for Republican - Elderly, retired  - Hispanics- Cuban American **-** Voters need to be loyal to their party
 * __Issues, Especially the Economy__**
 * -** Many voters vote for a certain candidate only for their issue on school prayer, race relations, and abortion
 * -** 2 issues that affect election voting
 * -** Vote this way mainly because of economic issues
 * __The Campaign__ [[image:http://tbn1.google.com/images?q=tbn:oTBVBkZhrM0fmM:http://s3.amazonaws.com/mmc-digi-beta-production/assets/377/negative_ads_626_article.jpg width="172" height="133" align="right" link="http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://s3.amazonaws.com/mmc-digi-beta-production/assets/377/negative_ads_626_article.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.miller-mccune.com/article/lies-and-campaign-advertising&usg=__ZX70HC1haFsUx_2_Twv3ffyTizo=&h=324&w=432&sz=67&hl=en&start=3&tbnid=oTBVBkZhrM0fmM:&tbnh=95&tbnw=126&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dcampaign%2Bads%26gbv%3D2%26hl%3Den"]]  **
 * 1) Name-Gets the candidates name out to the public **
 * -** Campaigning can be in forms of emails, phone calls, TV commercials, newspapers, etc.
 * -** Campaigning may be a bad thing though
 * __Finding a Winning Coalition__ **

__**Election Effects on Policy**__ ·  Critics of the effects of elections complain that o  1. No matter who wins, all politicians are the same as in self serving o  2. Even if candidate is decent argues that policy stays more or less the same ·  Due to our weak parties these points may be valid because new laws do have to go through a nightmare of legislation and seem to have to please all people. ·  American elections rarely produce great changes along with the change of the candidates faces o  This is due to our constitution being “moderate to the pace of change” ·  Change is not always moderated, especially in national turmoil o  Election of 1860 brought a party committed to changing slavery and southern succession o  Election of 1896 lead to high tariffs and a high prosperity until 1932 in which the New Deal was passed which made the government much larger than ever before o  Election of 1964 gave democrats the power to create Medicare and Medicaid which was reversed by Reagan’s administration in the 1980’s ·  Simple fact is Election in ordinary times are not critical o  Most cases elections are retrospective judgments in which change is wanted compared to previous administration <span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Calibri','sans-serif'; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA;">Elections become a wax and wan

__**IMPORTANT TERMS:**__
**Political Action Committee** - (PAC) a private group that helps political campaign, c an spend up to $5000 **Open primary-** A type of primary election in which voters may choose in which party to vote for as they enter the place the primary is being held **Blanket primary**- a primary in which each voter may vote for a candidate from both parties **Runoff primary**- A second election held after no candidate wins a majority of the votes in the first primary **Independent expenditures**- spending by political action committees or other groups that supports a party or candidate but is independent of them ====**Sophomore Surge**- When the number of votes increases for congressional candidates from their first year to their second **Position Issues**- Problems in which the pubic is divided into two extremesand opposing parties/candidates take different positions on the matter====
 * Coattails-** Following popular incumbents acts
 * Malapportionment** - redistricting boundaries so that they are uneven in population
 * Gerrymandering** - redistricting boundaries so that they are in favor of a certain party
 * Soft Money**- Funds that are used by political parties on activities but not for a specific candidate
 * 527 Organizations** -Organizations that raise and spend money to further progress political causes.
 * Prospective Voting**- A candidate that is appealing to vote for because you approve of their ideas of conducting issues
 * Retrospective Voting**- A candidate that is appealing to vote for because you like their past actions in office.