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The Election Process Pathway to the Presidency Nomination (primary season) and election (general election); two separate steps, two strategies. Incumbent Advantages. House vs. Senate Frank Privilege For the House – safe districts and gerrymandering Provide services for constituents
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The Election ProcessPathway to the PresidencyNomination (primary season) and election (general election); two separate steps, two strategies
Incumbent Advantages • House vs. Senate • Frank Privilege • For the House – safe districts and gerrymandering • Provide services for constituents • Name recognition • Usually no challenge in the Primary • Advantage in raising money • Is this good or bad? (the high rate of incumbency)
Nomination Process Campaigning • Person campaigns around the country trying to gain support of his/ her party • Develop a Platform • Ideology in Primary vs. General election • Theme, timing, tone • Can you get media coverage? (horse race effect) • Needs money……. • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vFPIYObrelw
Nomination Process Primaries/Caucus State elections to determine who is the best candidate for the party. Takes place over several months • Closed Primaries – can only vote in your parties election • Open Primaries – Can vote in either party’s primary • Blanket Primary – All candidates listed on one ballot • Caucus – Town hall style meeting • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cnh-136QqO8
National Convention • Big party to officially united the party and announce their candidate and VP. • Platform used to be decided. Now Individual Candidate determines to some extent • Now is just a media event. • Key Note Speaker!!! • Last night – the candidate finally accepts the nomination. • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YyIWMWs67yI
The General Election Campaign Famous Debate moments http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DF9gSyku-fc&feature=PlayList&p=E02E199A28BE4F43&index=5 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QazmVHAO0os http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O-7gpgXNWYI http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ffbFvKlWqE&feature=PlayList&p=C6FA4C507CE18C2E&index=0 • No longer a “national” campaign but targeted state campaigns • Role of Money • Debates – still important today • Helps two parties • Helps challenger (unless you are Bush in 2004) • Much more controlled now
Election Day • First Tuesday of November • Voter turnout….? • Popular Vote does not elect the President – but does determine other offices • Midterm elections– lower turnout and normal for “ruling” party to lose seats in Congress • Party Label is important in General Election
Electoral College • Decides the President • Makes the election less competitive (popular vote is normally pretty close) • The Election is actually 50 (51 ) separate state elections –each state worth so many points – winner takes all. • Was created to keep one region from determining the election, safe guard against democracy, and a compromise between slave and non slave states.
Officially take office the following year Congress – January 3rd The President - January 20th
Winning During peacetime, presidential elections are usually decided on the basis of three factors: • Political party affiliation • The economy • Character • Prospective voting is used by relatively few voters • Retrospective voting is practiced by most voters, and decides most elections
Coalitions • Democratic coalition: African Americans, Jews, Hispanics (not Cuban) • Catholics, southerners and union members are leaving the Democrats • Republican coalition: business and professional people who are very loyal, farmers