CHAPTER 14 Campaigns and Elections. Learning Objectives Copyright © 2014 Cengage Learning 2 Describe the historical development of the presidential selection.

CHAPTER 14CHAPTER 14Campaigns and ElectionsCampaigns and Elections

Learning Objectives Learning Objectives

Copyright © 2014 Cengage Learning2

Describe the historical development of the presidential selection process

Describe the activities of presidential candidates as they compete for the “invisible primary”

Distinguish between primaries and caucuses, and assess how the timing of those contests plays a role in the outcome of the nomination process

Assess the role of national party conventions

Learning ObjectivesLearning Objectives


Compare and contrast incumbent races and open elections

Describe the strategies that candidates use to win elections

Critique the electoral college system

Learning ObjectivesLearning Objectives


Compare and contrast the factors that explain vote choices

Assess the impact of money on presidential campaigns, and describe the laws governing campaign finance

Define the power of incumbency, turnout levels, and presidential coattails in congressional elections

American Presidential ElectionsAmerican Presidential Electionsin Historical Perspectivein Historical Perspective


Constitution does not include information on selecting a president

Founders envisioned presidential selection by men at a lofty level above partisan politics

Political parties supply framework for elections



The Nomination Phase Political parties select their “party ticket” Constitution did not account for process of

nomination Process has evolved throughout the years



Five Stages of contemporary presidential selection Prenomination campaign Nomination campaign National conventions General election campaign Electoral college decision

The Prenomination CampaignThe Prenomination Campaign


Potential candidates “test the waters” Begins the “weeding out” process Invisible primary

Competition for front-runner status

The Nomination CampaignThe Nomination Campaign


Primaries and Caucuses Presidential primary Open primary Closed primary Caucus



Importance of Iowa and New Hampshire Contests Small states with few delegates Traditionally are the first two contests Winner receives greater media attention Loser written off as “unelectable” Causes frontloading Super Tuesday



Nominating Conventions Historically

Discussed the party platform Selected the candidate to represent the party

Today Week-long forum for parties and nominees Introduce nominee to voters Formally kick off the campaign

The General Election CampaignThe General Election Campaign


Incumbent Race versus Open Election Incumbent: campaign focuses on past performance Open: less focused on the past

Choice of a Vice Presidential Candidate Attempt to balance ideological views and

geographic coverage



Gathering a Winning Coalition of States Strong Republican states - red

Strong Democratic states - blue

Battleground (“swing”) states - gold



Presidential Debates Kennedy/Nixon first to generate interest Large amount of attention paid to the debates Impact on the outcome is unclear

Advertising TV ads are important Heighten name recognition Negative ads



Electoral College Vote Winner must receive majority of electoral

college’s 538 votes Number of electoral votes states receive

Number of senators plus number of representatives Can change as a result of the official census Minimum votes is three

Unit rule Winner take all system

The Electoral College MapThe Electoral College Map


Americans’ Support Using Popular Americans’ Support Using Popular Vote to Select the PresidentVote to Select the President


Making a Vote ChoiceMaking a Vote Choice


Candidate Familiarity Most basic voting cue is name recognition

Party Identification Psychological attachment that affects voting

Issue Voting Vote for someone who has same view on an issue Most sophisticated type of voting behavior

Making a Vote ChoiceMaking a Vote Choice


Retrospective Voting Evaluating an incumbent’s past performance Job approval rating

Candidate Image Voting Perception of candidate to the voter Strong use of media

Campaign Funding Campaign Funding


Funding is increasingly expensive One of the most important functions of

campaign Good candidates have ability to raise money

Fundraising by Presidential Fundraising by Presidential Candidates 1976-2008Candidates 1976-2008




Sources of Funding Individual citizens Interest groups Political action committees (PACs) Political parties House or Senate campaign war chest Federal and state governments Internet Personal wealth





Regulating Campaign Financing Federal Election Campaign Act (FECA)

Hard money Soft money

Federal Election Commission (FEC) Independent campaign expenditures

Supports the campaign but not a direct contribution

Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act (BCRA) Regulates soft money

Congressional Campaigns Congressional Campaigns and Electionsand Elections


Presidential election years All 435 seats in the House and one-third of the

Senate seats are contested

Midterm congressional elections Midway between presidential elections All 435 House seats and another one-third of the

Senate seats are contested




Midterm elections Voter turnout tends to be lower No presidential coattail effect Favor candidates in party opposite the president’s




Power of incumbency Returned to office at high rates Name recognition Safe seats Marginal seats Franking privilege

Safe Seats in CongressSafe Seats in Congress


CHAPTER 14 Campaigns and Elections. Learning Objectives Copyright © 2014 Cengage Learning 2 Describe the historical development of the presidential selection.

Documents

cengage learning

campaign slide

learning objectives

campaign finance

presidential campaigns

presidential selection

open elections

presidential coattails