Chapter 8: Elections and Campaigns

General DifferencesMost Western democracies require party support.

Once you get this, they take care of the restIn the US, elections are highly personal and require

individuals to organize, fundraise and campaign. Parties less influential at the state and national

level than the past due to primary electionsMuch easier to run and win for Congress as their

races are much less competitive than the presidency and can deliver direct benefits to voters

Off-year elections often to lead to losses in Congress from the President’s parties (Ex. 2010 and 2014).

What it takes to run for PresidentMoney: Lots needed for staff, offices,

travel, advertising and, increasingly, social media specialists

Theme: Basic idea of why people should vote for you and what makes you unique and compelling

Strategy: Who are you going to get to vote for you and how?

Primary to General election (Presidency)Caucuses: People assemble to debate, discuss and choose

who they support for President. First is held in Iowa and whoever wins gets momentum

Primary: Voting for candidates of a single party. First is held in New Hampshire. Winner either gains, takes or sustains momentum in race for president.

Candidates must strategically determine where they can win and howMore Conservative candidates do well in SC primary and

Iowa Caucuses while more liberal candidates fare better in NH and PA Primaries

The Issues Position Issues: A candidate’s stance on a major issue that

divides the American electorate in a significant way (Ex. Minimum wage, Obamacare) and is a way to contrast candidates of opposite parties.

Valence Issues: Issues that are broadly supported by the voters (Ex. Low unemployment). Candidates must show how they will address those issues.

Personality Issues: Non-policy related issues-Ex. Obama’s citizenship, Clinton’s infidelity, Romney’s wealth.

Elections include a combination but increasingly less on position issues that are poorly understood by most

Television and the mediaPositive or negative media coverage can

make or break a primary campaign or close election

Includes TV advertisements, news stories, internet videos and televised debates

Debates CAN be important IF A CANDIDATE’S PERFORMANCE IS EXCEPTIONAL, good or bad

Internet has become EXTREMELY important since 2008, especially social networking.

What about money in politics bothers Americans??

All men are not created equal in the voting booth

Money buys votesMoney buys people influence without being elected to office

It is the “un-American” American way

How is money different in Presidential elections compared to Congressional elections?Presidential

Public FinancingMost money comes from

private donors Usually take very little

PAC moneyMust raise $5000 in 20

states from small contributions of $250 or less

Must abide by spending limits if fed. $ is used

Congressional

No Public FinancingMost money comes from

private donorsUsually take some PAC

moneyIncumbents use franking

privilege (free mail)

Campaign Finance RulesReforms stemmed from unethical and illegal practices by Nixon’s 1972 re-election campaign (CREEP)

What reforms were put into place by the 1974 legislation?Rules on who can give & disclosureLimits on contribution amountsFederal FinancingFederal enforcement

WARNING!Every time a law is written, a loophole is created to get around the law!

Results of the 1974 ReformsThe “legalizing” of PACsIndependent expendituresBuckley v. ValeoSoft money (LOOPHOLE!)“Bundled” contributions (LOOPHOLE!)The further weakening of partiesLonger campaignsWealthier candidatesHigher incumbency reelection

Federal Funds RulesCandidates must disclose all contributions over $100 to the

FEC (name, address & occupation)No foreign contributions; No cash over $100An individual may not give over $2000 to a candidate’s

campaign each election cyclePACs must register 6 mos. Before election, have at least 50

contributing members, and give to at least 5 candidatesPACs can spend on ads on a candidate their legal

contribution ($5000)Other groups may fund electioneering ads, but may not

coordinate with candidates or parties.

Sources of MoneyWhere?:

Candidates themselvesIndividualsPACsFederal Government

Who cannot give directly to campaigns?UnionsBiz organizationsForeigners

Who dictates how elections are won?Party: Can provide lots of money, labor (paid and volunteer)

and a helpful associationCampaign: Strong, appealing message that generates

enthusiasm and votes while allowing voters to judge candidate character and how they handle tough situations

Coalition: A large cross-section of different groups that support you in the electionReagan in 1980: Evangelical Christians, Conservative,

blue-collar Democrats, business owners and leadersObama in 2008 and 2012: Millennials, racial minorities,

LGBT and women

Decline and AlignmentCritical Realignment periods: Major shifts in

parties and voters. Examples include 1860 ( Republican Party), 1932 ( Democrats), 1964 (Democrats AND Republicans re-aligned) and 1980 (Republicans)

Split-Tickets: Voting for one party at one level and another at the national level (Presidency). Has occurred since 2010.

However, more people strongly identify with one party over another in elections.

Reasons party identity doesn’t determine election winnersCannot be just party identification

because the Democrats would ALWAYS win because more people identify with them. Have lost 7 of 12 Presidential Elections since 1968!Dems. Less “wedded” to their partyGOP does better w/ independentsReps. Have higher voter turnout

Other factors that determine election winners

Issues, especially the economyV.O Key: Most voters who switch parties do so in their own

interestsVoters know what issues affect themThey have strong principles on issues

Retrospective voting: Am I better off than I was 4 years ago?Prospective voting: Will national conditions improve if I vote

for a certain candidate?

Why do elections have little impact on public policy? Many offices to be filled at three levels

Coalitions are weak and easily broken or changed

Do elections even really matter in the US?