Nominations and Nominations and CampaignsCampaigns

Chapter 9Chapter 9

The Nomination GameThe Nomination Game Nomination:Nomination:

– The official endorsement of a candidate The official endorsement of a candidate for office by a political party. Generally, for office by a political party. Generally, success requires momentum, money, success requires momentum, money, and media attention.and media attention.

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

guide their electoral campaign.guide their electoral campaign.

The Nomination GameThe Nomination Game Deciding to RunDeciding to Run

– Campaigns are physically and Campaigns are physically and emotionally taxing.emotionally taxing.

– Other countries have short campaigns - Other countries have short campaigns - generally less than 2 months.generally less than 2 months.

– U.S. campaigns (especially for President) U.S. campaigns (especially for President) can last 18 months or more.can last 18 months or more.

The Nomination GameThe Nomination Game Competing for DelegatesCompeting for Delegates

– The Caucus RoadThe Caucus Road Caucus: Meetings of state party leaders. Caucus: Meetings of state party leaders.

Used to selected delegates.Used to selected delegates. Now organized like a pyramid from local Now organized like a pyramid from local

precincts to the state’s convention.precincts to the state’s convention. Not used by many states.Not used by many states. Iowa’s is first and considered the most Iowa’s is first and considered the most

important.important.

The Nomination GameThe Nomination Game Competing for DelegatesCompeting for Delegates

– The Primary RoadThe Primary Road Primary: Elections in which voters choose the Primary: Elections in which voters choose the

nominee or delegates pledged to the nominee.nominee or delegates pledged to the nominee. Started by turn of the century reformers.Started by turn of the century reformers. Most states use one of the forms of a primary.Most states use one of the forms of a primary. Frontloading is the tendency of states to hold Frontloading is the tendency of states to hold

primaries early- New Hampshire is first.primaries early- New Hampshire is first. Generally primaries serve as elimination Generally primaries serve as elimination

contests.contests.

McGovern-Fraser CommissionMcGovern-Fraser Commission McGovern-Fraser Commission led to McGovern-Fraser Commission led to

selection of delegates through primary selection of delegates through primary electionselections

– After the 1968 Democratic National ConventionAfter the 1968 Democratic National Convention– Had the responsibility to make the convention Had the responsibility to make the convention

delegates more representative of the people, delegates more representative of the people, women, minorities, young peoplewomen, minorities, young people

– Superdelegates: Democratic leaders (governors, Superdelegates: Democratic leaders (governors, congressmen, party leaders) who automatically congressmen, party leaders) who automatically get a delegate slot. To add some peer review of get a delegate slot. To add some peer review of the delegates choice.the delegates choice.

The Nomination GameThe Nomination Game Competing for DelegatesCompeting for Delegates

– Evaluating the Primary and Caucus SystemEvaluating the Primary and Caucus System Disproportionate attention to the early ones.Disproportionate attention to the early ones. Prominent politicians find it difficult to make time Prominent politicians find it difficult to make time

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

and unrepresentative. 5% caucus 20% primaryand unrepresentative. 5% caucus 20% primary The system gives too much power to the media.The system gives too much power to the media.

The Nomination GameThe Nomination Game The Inflated Importance of Iowa and New Hampshire The Inflated Importance of Iowa and New Hampshire

(Figure 9.1)(Figure 9.1)

The Nomination GameThe Nomination Game The Convention Send-offThe Convention Send-off

– Once provided great drama, but now they Once provided great drama, but now they are a basic formality - which means less TV are a basic formality - which means less TV time.time.

– Are still important to the party to get Are still important to the party to get organized and motivated.organized and motivated.

– Party platform: Statement of its goals and Party platform: Statement of its goals and policies and general beliefs.policies and general beliefs.

– Official nominations and candidate Official nominations and candidate speeches.speeches.

The Vice PresidentThe Vice President Chosen by roll call vote on the last Chosen by roll call vote on the last

dayday Custom dictates that delegates Custom dictates that delegates

simply vote whom ever the simply vote whom ever the presidential nominee recommends.presidential nominee recommends.

Often announced way before the Often announced way before the convention to balance the ticket.convention to balance the ticket.

The Nomination GameThe Nomination Game The Declining Coverage of Conventions on Network TV The Declining Coverage of Conventions on Network TV

(Figure 9.2)(Figure 9.2)

The Campaign GameThe Campaign Game The High-Tech Media CampaignThe High-Tech Media Campaign

– Direct mail used to generate support Direct mail used to generate support and money for the candidateand money for the candidate

– Get media attention through ad budget Get media attention through ad budget and “free” coverageand “free” coverage

– http://http://www.nbc.com/saturday_night_livewww.nbc.com/saturday_night_live//– Emphasis on “marketing” a candidateEmphasis on “marketing” a candidate– News focuses on strategies and events, News focuses on strategies and events,

not on policiesnot on policies

The Campaign GameThe Campaign Game Organizing the CampaignOrganizing the Campaign

– Get a campaign managerGet a campaign manager– Get a fund-raiser & counselGet a fund-raiser & counsel– Hire media and campaign consultantsHire media and campaign consultants– Assemble staff / plan the logisticsAssemble staff / plan the logistics– Get research staff, policy advisors & pollstersGet research staff, policy advisors & pollsters– Get a good press secretaryGet a good press secretary– Establish a web siteEstablish a web site– http://www.barackobama.com/index.phphttp://www.barackobama.com/index.php– hppt://www.johnmccain.comhppt://www.johnmccain.com//

Money and CampaigningMoney and Campaigning The Maze of Campaign Finance ReformsThe Maze of Campaign Finance Reforms

– Federal Election Campaign Act (1974)Federal Election Campaign Act (1974) Created the Federal Election Commission (FEC) to administer Created the Federal Election Commission (FEC) to administer

campaign finance laws for campaign finance laws for federalfederal elections elections Created the Presidential Election Campaign Fund $3 check-offCreated the Presidential Election Campaign Fund $3 check-off http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/f1040.pdf?portlet=3http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/f1040.pdf?portlet=3 Provided partial public financing for presidential primariesProvided partial public financing for presidential primaries

– Matching funds: $5000 in 20 states -- Contributions of up to $250 are Matching funds: $5000 in 20 states -- Contributions of up to $250 are matched for candidates who meet conditions, such as limiting matched for candidates who meet conditions, such as limiting spending. Many are now choosing to forgo matching funds so they do spending. Many are now choosing to forgo matching funds so they do not have to limit campaign expenditures. not have to limit campaign expenditures.

Congressional Candidates receive no federal moniesCongressional Candidates receive no federal monies Provided full public financing for major party candidates in the Provided full public financing for major party candidates in the

general electiongeneral election– 2008 spending limits $84 million per major candidate2008 spending limits $84 million per major candidate

Required full disclosure and limited contributions approx. $2000Required full disclosure and limited contributions approx. $2000 Buckley v. Valeo struck down the limits on a person spending his Buckley v. Valeo struck down the limits on a person spending his

own money.own money.

CAMPAIGN FINANCE CAMPAIGN FINANCE REFORMREFORM

OR OR ““MONEY,MONEY WHOSE GOT MONEY,MONEY WHOSE GOT

THE MONEY”THE MONEY”

1970s WATERGATE1970s WATERGATE Annenberg SyndromeAnnenberg Syndrome Hoffa and the UnionsHoffa and the Unions Corporate DonationsCorporate Donations Untraceable DonationsUntraceable Donations

Campaign Finance Act of Campaign Finance Act of 19741974

ResolutionsResolutions

OrOr

LoopholesLoopholes

CFRACFRA

PERSONAL DONATIONSPERSONAL DONATIONS+All donations over $100 must be +All donations over $100 must be

documented with name, address and documented with name, address and occupation of donoroccupation of donor

+All donations over $100.00 must be +All donations over $100.00 must be reported to a Federal Elections reported to a Federal Elections CommissionCommission

+No CASH donations over $100.00+No CASH donations over $100.00

PERSONAL DONATIONSPERSONAL DONATIONS +Personal donations are limited to +Personal donations are limited to

$1,000 per candidate per election. $1,000 per candidate per election.

CFRACFRACANDIDATES MONEYCANDIDATES MONEY+Candidates have a limit placed on +Candidates have a limit placed on

their own personal money.their own personal money.

CFRACFRAPRESIDENTIAL ELECTION CAMPAIGN PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION CAMPAIGN

FUNDFUND+The federal government will pay the +The federal government will pay the

entire cost of a candidates election entire cost of a candidates election (up to the legal limit). The candidate (up to the legal limit). The candidate may NOT use other donated money may NOT use other donated money once the federal funds are acceptedonce the federal funds are accepted

CFRACFRAPRESIDENTIAL ELECTION FUNDPRESIDENTIAL ELECTION FUND+Matching funds in presidential +Matching funds in presidential

election primaries. election primaries. Candidates can get a federal match for Candidates can get a federal match for

donations of $250 or less. The donations of $250 or less. The candidate must $5,000 in each of 20 candidate must $5,000 in each of 20 states from donations of $250 or states from donations of $250 or less.less.

CFRACFRAPOLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEESPOLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEES+Unions and others may create PACs +Unions and others may create PACs

to donate. Donations are limited to to donate. Donations are limited to $5,000 or less per candidate per $5,000 or less per candidate per election per year.election per year.

PACs formed by unions or associations PACs formed by unions or associations may not use dues but may create a may not use dues but may create a separate donation system.separate donation system.

PROBLEMSPROBLEMSOROR

LOOPHOLESLOOPHOLES

Buckley v. ValeoBuckley v. ValeoA candidates personal money is not A candidates personal money is not

subject to regulation. Using it in the subject to regulation. Using it in the candidates campaign is an act of free candidates campaign is an act of free speech.speech.

PAC proliferationPAC proliferationExample:Example:NEA $5,000NEA $5,000UEA $5,000UEA $5,000FEA $5,000FEA $5,000Each separate district $5,000Each separate district $5,000

Any one can form a PACAny one can form a PAC

INDEPENDENT INDEPENDENT EXPENDITURESEXPENDITURES

Private persons can use unlimited Private persons can use unlimited money to finance election money to finance election campaigns. They can not work with, campaigns. They can not work with, for or in union with a candidate. for or in union with a candidate. They must be truly independent.They must be truly independent.

SOFT MONEYSOFT MONEY+No limit on money given to political +No limit on money given to political

partiesparties+Money from person to party to +Money from person to party to

candidate is untraceablecandidate is untraceable

ABUSESABUSES Doles doggiesDoles doggies Clintons kidsClintons kids Soft Money and the Lincoln BedroomSoft Money and the Lincoln Bedroom Others?Others?

MC CAIN – FEINGOLDMC CAIN – FEINGOLD

+Personal Contributions over $100.00+Personal Contributions over $100.00No changeNo change+Personal Contributions raised to +Personal Contributions raised to

$2000.00$2000.00+PACs no change+PACs no change+Unions and Corporations can not +Unions and Corporations can not

donate to parties (Soft money)donate to parties (Soft money)+Soft money is banned+Soft money is banned

continuedcontinued Parties may use donated money toParties may use donated money to+get out the vote+get out the vote+conduct issue campaigns+conduct issue campaigns+VOTE FOR the party campaigns+VOTE FOR the party campaigns

moremore Independent expenditures still Independent expenditures still

unlimited but may not run with in 60 unlimited but may not run with in 60 days of a general election and 30 days of a general election and 30 days of a primary days of a primary

Soft MoneySoft Money Funds obtained by Funds obtained by political partiespolitical parties that are spent on that are spent on

party activities, such as get-out-the vote drives, but not on party activities, such as get-out-the vote drives, but not on behalf of a specific candidate. Money that could be spent by behalf of a specific candidate. Money that could be spent by the party for generic advertising and no limits on contributions.the party for generic advertising and no limits on contributions.

Campaign Finance Reform Act 2002 (McCain/Feingold)Campaign Finance Reform Act 2002 (McCain/Feingold)– Banned soft money and increased individual contributions to Banned soft money and increased individual contributions to

$2000$2000– Corporations, labor unions, trade associations and non profit Corporations, labor unions, trade associations and non profit

organizations can not use their own money to refer to a clearly organizations can not use their own money to refer to a clearly identified federal candidate in any advertisement during the 60 identified federal candidate in any advertisement during the 60 days prior to a general election.days prior to a general election.

– 527 organizations 527 organizations Organizations that under section 527 of the IRS code, raise and spend Organizations that under section 527 of the IRS code, raise and spend

money to advance political causes – they can spend money on politics money to advance political causes – they can spend money on politics so long as they do not coordinate with a candidate or lobby directly for so long as they do not coordinate with a candidate or lobby directly for that person. No restrictions on amounts.that person. No restrictions on amounts.

http://www.npr.org/blogs/secretmoney/outside_groups/brave_new_filmshttp://www.npr.org/blogs/secretmoney/outside_groups/brave_new_films// In 2004 these groups spent $424 million. In 2004 these groups spent $424 million.

Political Action Committee Political Action Committee PACPAC

A PAC is formed when a business A PAC is formed when a business association or some other interest group association or some other interest group decides to contribute to candidates they decides to contribute to candidates they believe will support their goals – believe will support their goals – they must they must register with the FECregister with the FEC

Must have at least fifty members (all who Must have at least fifty members (all who enroll voluntarily)enroll voluntarily)

And must not give more than $5,000 to And must not give more than $5,000 to any one candidate nor more than 15,000 any one candidate nor more than 15,000 to a political party.to a political party.

Money and CampaigningMoney and Campaigning The Proliferation of PACsThe Proliferation of PACs

– Political Action Committees (PACs): created by Political Action Committees (PACs): created by law in 1974 to allow corporations, labor unions law in 1974 to allow corporations, labor unions and other interest groups to donate money to and other interest groups to donate money to campaigns; PACs are registered with and campaigns; PACs are registered with and monitored by the FEC.monitored by the FEC.

– As of 2006 there were 4,217 PACs.As of 2006 there were 4,217 PACs.– PACs contributed over $288.6 million to PACs contributed over $288.6 million to

congressional candidates in 2004.congressional candidates in 2004.– PACs donate to candidates who support their PACs donate to candidates who support their

issue.issue.– PACs do not “buy” candidates, but give to PACs do not “buy” candidates, but give to

candidates who support them in the first place.candidates who support them in the first place.– PACs are buying accessPACs are buying access

Money and CampaigningMoney and Campaigning

Money and CampaigningMoney and Campaigning Are Campaigns Too Expensive?Are Campaigns Too Expensive? Americans spend about $2 billion every four Americans spend about $2 billion every four

years in local state and national elections.years in local state and national elections.– Fund raising takes up lots of time.Fund raising takes up lots of time.– The closer the race, the more money is needed.The closer the race, the more money is needed.– Incumbents do worse when they spend more Incumbents do worse when they spend more

money because they need it when they face money because they need it when they face tough challengers.tough challengers.

– The doctrine of sufficiency suggests that The doctrine of sufficiency suggests that candidates need just “enough” money to win.candidates need just “enough” money to win.

The Impact of CampaignsThe Impact of Campaigns Campaigns have three effects on Campaigns have three effects on

voters:voters:– Reinforcement, Activation, ConversionReinforcement, Activation, Conversion

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

things we agree with.things we agree with.– Party identification still has an affectParty identification still has an affect– Incumbents start with a substantial Incumbents start with a substantial

advantageadvantage

Understanding Nominations Understanding Nominations and Campaignsand Campaigns

Are Nominations and Campaigns Too Are Nominations and Campaigns Too Democratic?Democratic?– Campaigns are open to almost everyoneCampaigns are open to almost everyone– But they consume much time and money But they consume much time and money – Campaigns promote individualism in American Campaigns promote individualism in American

politicspolitics Do Big Campaigns Lead to an Increased Do Big Campaigns Lead to an Increased

Scope of Government?Scope of Government?– Candidates make numerous promises, Candidates make numerous promises,

especially to state and local interests.especially to state and local interests.– Hard for politicians to promise to make Hard for politicians to promise to make

government cuts.government cuts.