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American National
Government
POL 140-10 Spring 2015
Campaigns and Elections
The Constitution and American
Elections
What were the Framers’ intentions regarding presidential elections?
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
The Electoral College
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.
What Happened in 2000?
Congressional Elections
Basics of Congressional Elections
The House Allotted based on proportional representation Entire House up for election every two years
The Senate Each state has two senators, regardless of
size Seventeenth Amendment provided for direct
election of the Senate Terms are staggered
Gerrymandering
Presidential Campaigns
Making the Initial Decision
The Party Caucus
The Party Convention
Campaign Issues
Fundraising and Money
“Hard Money”: Money given directly to candidates; amounts limited by election laws
“Soft Money”: Unregulated dollars given by parties or individuals for “electioneering activities,” that do not directly support candidates.
Fundraising by Presidential Candidates, 1976-2008
Swing States
Swing states are colored on the U.S. map and table. They can “flip,” changing support for Republican or Democratic nominees depending on the election.
They are valuable by candidates and their campaigns.
Microtargeting
Microtargeting refers to when a campaign tailors specifics ads to certain demographic groups (e.g. women, the elderly, young people) in an attempt to get them to vote for their candidate.
Campaign Issues
Valence Issue: Issues that most voters agree on (e.g. honesty in govt., a strong economy)
Position Issue: Issues on which most voters differ in their perspectives (e.g. health care)
Wedge Issue: Controversial issue candidates use to drive “wedge” between other party Example: Republican trying get Democrats who
may be anti-abortion to vote for him instead of Obama
Negativity
What factors helps us predict vote share in elections?
The Economy What is the condition of the economy?
Presidential Popularity How popular is the sitting president?
Incumbent Party’s Time in Office How long has the incumbent party
controlled the White House?
Congressional Campaigns
Making the Initial Decision
Fundraising and Money
Reelection Rates of Incumbents in Congress, 1996-2008
How do you combat voters’ lack of interest in politics?
PARTY ID
How do you combat voters’ lack of interest in politics?
PRESIDENTIAL COATTAILS
Ability of major party candidates to attract voters and support to other candidates
of their party in different races
(e.g. congressional candidates)