American Government and Politics Today

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American Government and Politics Today

• Campaigns, Nominations,
• and Elections

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The Candidate

• Who are they?
• How do they run?
• What are the eligibility criteria?
• What are the typical demographics?

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Campaign Organizations

• Campaign organizations
• Keys to Success
• Charisma
• Smiles
• Appearances
• The Issues
• Incumbency
• Campaign Staff

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The 21st Century Campaign

• Decline of Personalized Campaigns
• Party-centered versus Candidate-centered.
• Consultants and Campaign Strategies
• Fundraising
• Endorsements
• Speaking engagements
• Grass roots
• Media and Advertising

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A Winning Strategy

• Preserving the Base
• The Undecided Voters
• Image
• Issues

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A Winning Strategy

• The Tactics of Winning
• Issues
• Negative Campaigning
• Bread and Butter Issues
• The Unexpected

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Key Campaign Techniques

• Television
• Television and Debates
• Packaging a Candidate
• Professional Managers
• Polling
• News Media

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Key Campaign Techniques

• Television
• Television and Debates
• Packaging a Candidate
• Professional Managers
• Polling
• News Media

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Key Campaign Techniques

• Television
• Television and Debates
• Packaging a Candidate
• Professional Managers
• Polling
• News Media

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Presidential Campaigns

• Primaries
• National Convention
• General Election
• The Electoral College

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Presidential Campaigns

• Primaries
• National Convention
• General Election
• The Electoral College

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Presidential Campaigns

• Primaries
• National Convention
• General Election
• The Electoral College

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Presidential Campaigns

• Primaries
• National Convention
• The Electoral College

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Conducting Elections

• Casting your Ballot
• Voter Fraud
• Voting Eligibility Requirements

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Financing Campaigns

• The Cost
• Regulating Donations
• Soft money
• Foreign contributions
• Disclosure Laws

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Federal Campaign Financing Regulation

• Buckley v. Valeo
• Public Financing
• Spending limits
• Disclosures
• Federal Election Commission

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The Actual Cost of Campaigns

• Congressional races
• Senate races
• Governor races

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Funding Sources

• Political Action Committees
• People
• Wealthy
• Fundraisers

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PAC Contributions to Congressional Candidates
1986-2004
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Voter Turnout

• Traditionally low

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Factors that Influence Turnout

• Age.
• Education
• Minority status
• Income
• Party competition

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Questions??