Campaigns and elections

POL 140 Fall 2014

States had discretion over presidential selection

Office designed with Washington in mind; No real details included

Office above partisan politics; Leaders acting in national interest

How do we calculate a state’s number of electoral votes?

Determined by their congressional representation (number of Representatives

and Senators)

Kentucky has 8 electoral votes, because we have 6 house

representatives and 2 senators)There are 538 total votes in the Electoral College.

A presidential candidate needs 270 to win the election.

The House

Population; House election every two years

The Senate

Equality, 1/3 of Senate elected every two years

Seventeenth Amendment

Terms are staggered

What is the “Invisible Primary?”

How does it help to

clarify this decision?

What is the difference between a party primaryand a party caucus?

“Hard Money”: Money given directly to candidates; amounts limited by law

“Soft Money”: Unregulated money given by parties or individualsnot directly supporting candidates .

Swing states can “flip,” changing support for Republican or Democratic nominees depending on election.

Microtargeting is when a campaign tailors ads to certain groups (e.g. women, young people) to get them to vote for their candidate.

Valence Issue Issues most voters agree on (e.g. strong economy)

Position Issue Issues most voters differ in perspectives and solutions

(e.g. health care)

Wedge Issue Controversial issue candidates use to drive “wedge”

between other party

The Economy

Presidential Popularity

Incumbent Party’s Time in Office

PARTY ID

PRESIDENTIAL COATTAILS

Ability of major party candidates to attract

voters and elect other candidates of their party

(e.g. congressional candidates)