ELECTION DAY: NOVEMBER, 2012

AMERICAN ELECTIONS

PLAN

I- A basic understanding of US ElectionsA- American election, the rules

matter…B- Presidential campaign, money

matter…II- The Agenda: III- The main candidates

I-A American elections, the rules matter…

The American paradox : a world audience but a non electoral political participation and a no deep interest

Indirect Elections: a comprehensive and complex process

Importance of federalism: the winner take allIndirect elections: an unfair system? Two-party system : Democrats and

Republicans

I-B PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGN, MONEY MATTER…

KEY ROLE OF MONEY IN AMERICAN ELECTION

I-B PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGN, MONEY MATTER…

OBAMA, THE EXPERT OF DONATION CAMPAIGN

THE IMPORTANCE OF PRIVATE FINANCING

2 TYPES OF RESOURCES FOR PRIVATE FINANCING :

- 527 ORGANIZATION

- POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE (PAC)

2- AGENDA

II- Agenda, the Key stages

Stage1 selection stage: January-September 2012

5 month process : primaries and national conventions for each party

June 2012 – End of Presidential Primaries (Montana et south Dakota).

Stage 2 real political battle : Sept- Nov. 2012 6 November, 6 2012 – Presidential Election

day January, 20 2013: Inauguration day –

Effective starting date for the new president

The candidates

✔Only 2 major contemporary party have political power in the states ✔They have distinctive core values and representations:

III-B Picture of 4 top Republican presidential candidates 2012

Picture of 4 top Republican presidential candidates 2012

Vocabulary : Key words

✔Grassroots ✔Endorsement ✔Super Tuesday✔Caucus✔Ballot✔Voters turnout✔Indirect elections✔Electoral colleges✔GOP (Grand Old Party)✔The winner takes all

To go further….

★English websites:✔The washington Post Politics ✔The HUFFINGTON POST, elections 2012✔Real Clear Politics Elections

★French Websites:✔L’EXPRESS.FR, éléctions américaines de 2012✔FRANCE USA MEDIA, the Ben Franklin Post ★Blogs:✔I LOVE POLITICS✔AMERICA POLIPHONY