Campaigns and Elections

1. Campaigns and Elections

2. Current Event…yes it relates… • Nathan Deal running for Governor • Bad investments = $millions in debt • Still running for Governor www.myfoxatlanta.com

3. Make a prediction… • What is his campaign strategy in this? • How is his “camp” trying to made lemonade out of lemons? • SO….what do you think popular opinion will show?

4. Take Five What offices are up for election?

5. GeorgiaElections & Elected Officials Filing Deadline (Major Parties): April 30, 2010Filing Deadline (Minor Parties): July 2, 2010Filing Deadline (Write-In Candidates): September 7, 2010State Primary: July 20, 2010Primary Run-off: August 10, 2010General Election Run-Off (if needed): November 30, 2010

6. The Structure of a Campaign • All political campaigns can be viewed as a series of several campaigns that run simultaneously. The Nomination Campaign The General Election Campaign The Personal Campaign The Organizational Campaign The Media Campaign

7. Do People Vote for the Candidate or the Campaign? • The most important factor in any campaign is the candidate (he/she is even more important than money). • Campaigns are able (most of the time) to downplay a candidate’s weaknesses and emphasize her strengths. • However, even the best campaigns cannot put an ineffective candidate in the win column – most of the time. • Most people vote for a candidate not the campaign.

8. Local or state elections • It’s all about YOU… • The nomination process • Individual effort • Deciding on the commitment • Raising the $$$$$$$$$$ • Collecting signatures to get your name on the ballot • Appealing to the public

9. The Nomination Process (for President & Vice President) • The old way…the caucus process • Elitist • Closed sessions—secretive, invitation only • Anti-Masonic Party…1831 holds the first party convention • Larger group to discuss and nominate candidates • National Party Conventions • The final announcement • Primaries and lack of $$$$$ have already limited the prospects • Really “winners” of the party’s nominations are already decided before the convention • Convention is the celebration of launching the candidates toward the General Election in Nov

10. Presidential Election Process • Each state holds a primary or caucus between January and June to determine candidates for parties • Candidates then enter into general elections against the other political parties • More people vote in general elections. • 64.1% of eligible American voters voted in 2008 • In 2004, 50% of people voted in general elections versus 25% in the primaries.

11. Campaign Challenges • “candidates spent 99% of campaign funding in only 15 states”- power of Electoral College

12. Electoral College

13. Congressional Elections vs. Presidential Elections • Congress elections are regional • Senate by state; House by district • House elections are less competitive than Senate or President • Incumbents – rep up for reelection, typically win elections by 60% • Congressional elections every two years (all House up for reelection and 1/3 of the Senate) Fewer people vote in “off-year” or “midterm year” (only 36%) which means voters are more activist or ideological

14. Take Five • What district is Paulding county?

16. Take Five • Who are our existing State Representatives & Senators? • Who is running for office in Nov. 2010?

17. Answers… • Existing Senators • Johnny Isakson (R) • Saxby Chambliss (R) • Existing House of Representatives • Barrow, John, Georgia, 12th • Bishop Jr., Sanford D., Georgia, 2nd • Broun, Paul C., Georgia, 10th • Gingrey, Phil, Georgia, 11th • Graves, Tom, Georgia, 9th • Johnson, Henry C. "Hank" Jr., Georgia, 4th • Kingston, Jack, Georgia, 1st • Lewis, John, Georgia, 5th • Linder, John, Georgia, 7th • Marshall, Jim, Georgia, 8th • Price, Tom, Georgia, 6th • Scott, David, Georgia, 13th • Westmoreland, Lynn A., Georgia, 3rd

18. Answers… • http://www.uselections.com/ga/ga.htm

19. Congressional Elections vs. Presidential Elections Coattail effect - Presidential popularity effecting congressional elections in midterm years In modern times, there has not been a President that would effectively carry a congressman • Congress communicates with their constituents more directly, often personally, while President relies on media • Congress reps can deny responsibility and blame problems on other reps or President

20. Running for President • Money • Organization • Fund-raisers, lawyers, accountants, media consultants, advisors, pollsters, etc. staff of hundreds • Strategy and Themes • Tone (positive or negative?) • Theme (simple and catchy) • Timing (when do you put on the speed?) • Target (which group should you target? Moderates, women, hispanics?)

21. Contributions and Expenses • Campaigns are VERY expensive. • House races can cost over $1 million but usually cost $400-700,000 for incumbents, less for challengers. • Senate races cost much more. • All political money is regulated by the federal government under the Federal Elections Campaign Act of 1971, 1974, 1976 & 2002

22. Campaign Contributions • A single individual cannot give a candidate more than $2,000 per election • A PAC (Political action committee) which represents a corporation or special interest group can give up to $5,000 to any one candidate per election

23. What determines a district? • 2 problems with determining congressional districts • Malapportionment—districts that are of unequal size • Gerrymandering—redrawing of district lines (sometimes in odd shapes) to make it easier for a candidate to win an election

24. Gerrymandering

25. Take Five • Do you think that gerrymandering is fair? How is this legal?

26. 4 issues • Establishing the total size of the House of Reps • 1911 House was too big to keep growing based on the total population—Congress “set” the number of Representatives at 435 • Allocating seats in the House among the states • States gain and lose population—every 10 years Congress requires reapportionment • Determining the size of congressional districts within states • Determining the shape of the districts

27. Running for Congress • Incumbents have huge advantages • Franking privileges • Trips home—paid for • Radio & TV broadcasts • Using politics to gain personal favor • Fed. Government deciding to keep a military base open or a government contract for more planes (Lockheed) makes the local politican look good • Congress has unlimited terms that they can serve • Strom Thurmond served 43 years (25 congressional terms)—retired at 94 • Ted Kennedy served 47 years

28. More Perks for Incumbents • Cater to constituents “distrust” of government— • ”I’m going to clean it up” if re-elected • “I can get you things” if re-elected • Organizing to listen to the needs of the people back home • Working on committees that benefit the state • “All politics is local”—Tip O’Neill