Nominations and CampaignsNominations and Campaigns

Chapter 9

The Nomination GameThe Nomination Game

Nomination:– The official endorsement of a candidate for

office by a political party. Generally, success requires momentum, money, and media attention.

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

their electoral campaign.

The Nomination GameThe Nomination Game

Deciding to Run– Other countries have short campaigns-

generally less than 2 months.– U.S. campaigns (especially for President) can

last 18 months or more.– Generally need to start out with an electoral

base already established.

The Nomination GameThe Nomination Game

Competing for Delegates– The Caucus Road

Caucus: Meetings of party leaders. Used to selected delegates.

Now organized like a pyramid from local precincts to the state’s convention.

Not used by many states. Iowa’s is considered the most important.

The Nomination GameThe Nomination Game

Competing for Delegates– The Primary Road

Primary: Elections in which voters choose the nominee or delegates pledged to the nominee.

Most states use one of the forms of a primary. Many primaries are early- with New Hampshire

being the first. Generally serve as elimination contests.

The Nomination GameThe Nomination Game

Competing for Delegates– Evaluating the Primary and Caucus System

Disproportionate attention to the early ones. Prominent politicians find it difficult to make time

to run. Money plays too big a role. Participation in primaries and caucuses is low and

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

Figure 9.1

The Nomination GameThe Nomination Game

The Perception of Iowaand New Hampshire

The Nomination GameThe Nomination Game

The Convention Send-off– Once provided great drama, but now they are a basic

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

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

general beliefs.– Official nominations and candidate speeches.

– http://politics.nytimes.com/election-guide/2008/results/votes

The Campaign GameThe Campaign Game

The High-Tech Media Campaign– Use of direct mail to generate support and

money for the candidate– Get media attention through ad budget and

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

policies

The Campaign GameThe Campaign Game

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

Money and CampaigningMoney and Campaigning

The Maze of Campaign Finance Reforms– FEC: Created by law in 1974 to administer

campaign finance laws for federal elections. Public financing of presidential elections Limited spending & required disclosure Limited contributions to campaigns (hard money)

– Soft Money Contributions (with no limits) used for party-

building expenses or generic party advertising

Money and CampaigningMoney and Campaigning

The Proliferation of PACs– Definition: Created by law in 1974 to allow

corporations, labor unions and others to donate money to campaigns.

– Over 3900 PACs donating over $212 million– Donate to candidates who support their issue,

regardless of party affiliation– Are PACs buying candiates?

From Table 9.1

Money and CampaigningMoney and Campaigning

$ given % to Rep

Microsoft 3,942,435 53

Philip Morris 2,830,985 80

Am Fed of State Empl 6,500,889 1

Comm. workers of Am 3,687,614 1

NRA 2,884,127 92

Emily’s List 1,979,829 0

Money and CampaigningMoney and Campaigning

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

Does Money Buy Victory?– Too much money can be worse than not

enough.– But, candidates need “enough” money to win

The Impact of CampaignsThe Impact of Campaigns

Campaigns are perceived as doing:– Reinforcement, Activation, Conversion

Mostly, they only reinforce & activate– Selective perception: pay attention to things we

agree with.– Party identification still has an affect– Incumbents start with a substantial advantage