American Federal Government Chapter 8: Campaigns & Elections.
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Transcript of American Federal Government Chapter 8: Campaigns & Elections.
American Federal Government
Chapter 8: Campaigns & Elections
Uniqueness of the American System
• Many offices to fill• Low voter turnout
o 2004, 60% of eligible • Weak political parties• Parliament
o Few officeso Elected form governmento High voter turnout
Getting Involved
• Voting is not the only way• Donating• Volunteering• Working in a campaign• Interest group
organizations• High income/education
Why Vote?
• Imposes burden• One vote doesn't affect
outcome• Civic duty
Who Participates?
• High education vs. low• Older more than young• Men more than women• Overall, whites more than
blacks• Rates of participation
(outside voting) upo Writing a lettero Making a demando Demonstratingo Activists tend to get
message across better
The Right To Vote
• Early: Taxpayer/landowner• Jackson: most white males• All races: 15th Amendment & Voting Rights Act • Women: 19th Amendment• 18 year olds: 26th Amendment• Direct election of Senators: 17th Amendment
Blacks' Suffrage
http://www.bing.com/videos/watch/video/voting-rights-act-signed/6x5aj92 http://videos.howstuffworks.com/hsw/5962-civil-rights-marching-in-alabama-video.htm?page=20&sort=date
Women's Suffrage
http://videos.howstuffworks.com/hsw/10330-the-progressive-era-suffrage-video.htm
Giving The Vote To 18 Year Olds
• Debate began WWII, continued through Vietnam• Oregon v. Mitchell - Congress can regulate voting age
in federal elections• 1971
Voting Publicly
• Before 20th century, voted publicly without pre-registering
Australian Ballot
• Printed ballot• Distributed by govt• Cast in private booth
Who Is Eligible?
• Voting-Age Population (VAP)o From censuso Everyone over 18/21
• Voting-Eligible Population (VEP) o Excludes prisoners, felons, aliens
How Bad Is American Turnout?
• 53% of voting age population• 87% of registered voters• Registration is an issue
o Burden on citizeno Re-register when moveo "Get out the vote" probably ineffective
Types of Elections
• General Election• Primary Election
o Open (choose one party)o Blanket (mixed)o Closed (your affiliation)o Runoff (some states, if no
majority)• Presidential Primary
o Delegate selectiono Delegate selection with
advisory presidential preference
o Delegate selection with binding preference
The Personal Campaign
• Temporary staff• Individual campaigns• Reward followers with jobs• Media - build personal
image• Slate doesn't make sense• Candidates often don't
identify with a party openly• Can win a primary without
party supporto Michele Bachmann
Earlier and Earlier...
• Presidential elections• Primaries move earlier• Begin campaign 2 years
ahead• Money, endurance
Molding the Message
• Primaries - get activist supporters mobilized
• General election - move to the center
• Positive or negative?• Running on a record
o How successful?o Economy
Getting Airtime
• Getting on TV is a major goalo Debates o Paid ads (spots)o Interviews or news
(visuals) More credible Something new Scheduling
Attack Ads
http://www.wkrg.com/alabama/article/outrageous-campaign-ads/932564/Sep-17-2010_11-24-am/
Tuning Out
• People often tune out media or see what they want (selective attention)
• Reinforce existing beliefs• May not change beliefs• Spots - more information
Do Campaigns Work?
• Decision usually made after primary
• Campaigns aimed at undecided voters
• Based on polls• Make most difference when:
o Low-visibility officeo Primaries with many
candidateso Ignored by media
Voting on Issues• Would you vote for or against someone based on
their stance on a single issue?• Happens most in primaries
How To Get Elected President
• Count on your party• Be magnetic, take charge
and dignified• Campaign against a great
economy (incumbent) or terrible (upstart)
• Retrospective voting
Barack Obama's DNC Speech Highlights
RNC Highlights
What Doesn't Matter So Much?
• The VP• Media• Candidate Issues• Religion• Party affiliation is strong -
the brand speaks for the candidate
Getting Elected To Congress
• Districts usually have strong affiliation• Redistricting • Personal appearances
o Incumbent
Realignment• Big shift in party support based on changing issues• Party could dissolve• Voters shift support• Red vs. Blue States (Counties) • Party decay (Split ticket)
Party Loyalty
• Most loyal Democrats:o 1. Blacko 2. Jewisho 3. Some Hispanics
• Most loyal Republicans: o 1. Business/
professionalso 2. Sometimes farmers
Group Discussion
Group 1: Discuss the American voting system and participation in political parties and voting.
Group 2: What is the difference between a primary and an election? How does the system work in the case of a Presidential election? Group 3: Discuss how politicians are elected in America. How well does the system work? What do politicians need to be able to do well?Group 4: What creates party loyalty? What do you see in your own life?