Sept 11 – Gov – Getting Elected
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Transcript of Sept 11 – Gov – Getting Elected
Sept 11 – Gov – Getting ElectedAgenda: Notes: Path to the
Presidency
Homework: Read pages 318-
323 in chapter 9 Submit Chapter 9
SG by midnight THURSDAY
Take out: Pen/Pencil Notebook Ideology
Assignment
Goals: Gain
understanding of the nomination and election process
Campaign 2008 Timeline1. Declaration2. Nomination 3. National
Convention4. Fall Campaign
4. Election Day5. Meeting of
electors6. Formal Election7. Inauguration Day
Nomination Phase to win…delegates to
Fall Campaign
Nomination Phase: Primaries and Caucuses
How the Republicans chose McCain and how the Democrats
chose Obama in 2008
The Big Picture – Step 1 Each state holds a primary or caucus
between January & June States who hold their contests early get
more media and candidate attention – the rush for states to be earlier in the campaign calendar is called frontloading
Why Frontload? Draws attention
To the states To the candidates
Disseminates information From and about candidates
Competition increases public interest
The Big Picture – Step 2 Presidential candidates enter these
contests to try to win delegates Political parties award delegates to states
based largely on their population
97 delegates from WA went to the Democratic Convention in Denver
448 delegates from California went to the Democratic Convention in Denver
The Big Picture – Step 3 Delegates from the states
attend the National Conventions Democrats Republicans Party in power always “bats last”
Delegates vote during roll call and officially select the party’s nominee
You need to win a majority of the delegates to officially become the nominee – this is called the magic number
4,233 delegates were to attend the Denver
convention.
Half of 4,233 delegates = 2,116.5 delegates.
The nominee needed 2,117 delegate votes to
win the nomination.
The Republican magic number was…
A Sports Analogy Each bracket sends only one
candidates to the national championship (AKA the General Election on November 2, 2008)
vs
Obama
Obama
Clinton
Edwards
McCain
Huckabee
McCain
Romney
Name that Politician!
What is a Caucus? Parties have separate caucuses in
separate locations Viewed as “old fashioned” political
meetings
Caucus Agenda Discuss politics Organize for the next
election Select party leaders Work on the party
platform Delegate selection
NationalConvention
CDConvention
State Convention
Senate-DistrictCaucus
PrecinctCaucus
Caucus Agenda Hold a presidential preference vote The percentage of the vote that each
candidate gets determines the number of delegates each candidate will have vote for them at the National Convention*
At the Democratic Convention15 of Iowa’s pledged delegates were for Clinton
16 were for Obama14 were for Edwards
*Typically, in a show of unity, the candidates who don’t have enough delegates encourage their supporters to vote for the nominee
What is a Primary? SHOW BALLOT Primaries are just like any other election except Democrats run against
Democrats Republicans against
Republicans
Primaries Make it “Fair” Pre 1960’s – delegates selected by party
“bosses” Delegates were the political elite Primaries introduced in the early 20th cen.
Caught on early for state gov. and congress nominations
1968 – DNC Riot in Chicago McGovern-Fraser Commission
Determined people had basically no control over the nominees
Mandated open delegate selection procedures
Primaries are considered to be more democratic because many more people participate
What is a Primary?
Both Minnesota & Wisconsin have approximately the same populations….however
About 210,000 Democrats voted in Minnesota’s Caucuses
About 1.1 million Democrats voted in the Wisconsin Primary
Types of Primaries - Closed You have to
register with a party to vote in their primary
You have to re-register to change party affiliation
Closed Primaries promotes party loyalty
What happens if you aren’t affiliated?
Typically, registration is closed several weeks before the election.
Does my vote matter? You have indirect influence on who wins
the nomination You aren’t really voting for a candidate in a
primary.
Age 18Voter
John McCain
delegates
Nomination Phase: Primaries and Caucuses
How the Republicans chose McCain and how the Democrats
chose Obama in 2008
IA & NH Demographics
30th in population 10th most rural 97% white
42nd in population 16th most rural 98% white
What are the political implications?
Nevada CaucusJan 19, 2008 Winner Take All Closed Primary
25 pledged delegates9 super delegates
20% of Nevada’s population is Latino/Hispanic
South Carolina PrimaryJan 26, 2008 Winner Take All (by state & Congressional District) Open Primary
45 pledged delegates9 super delegates
30% of population is African-American
Super-Duper/Tsunami/Giga Tuesday – Feb. 5, 2008
Typically, Super Tuesday allows one of the
candidates to gain separation and become
the clear front runner and the presumptive
nominee.
Super Tuesday is also a test of a candidate’s
organization and fundraising ability.
1,681 pledged delegates390 super delegates
22 states + American Samoa
Wins Pledged Delegates
Total Delegates
Clinton 10 834Obama 13 847
1,681
313 dem delegates+ 55 supers = 0
Florida and Michigan defied party rules and set their contests before Feb 3rd.
The DNC penalized both states by removing their delegates.
Candidates promised not to campaign in the states, turning them into “beauty contests”
Clinton claimed victory in both contests and fought for the delegates to be seated.
At the end of the primary season, the DNC allowed each delegate to count for ½ a vote.
The RNC allowed the Republican candidates to campaign but halved
their delegates as a punishment.
Too close to call…Obama performed very well in caucus
states and won many small states.
Clinton dominated in large states the
democrats needed to win in
November.
And then there were the super
delegates…
Pledged vs. Superdelegates Democrats have Supers (Republicans have
“unpledged delegates”) “Peer review” process Ds have 823 Super Delegates
Elected Officials Party Leaders DNC Members
Many Super Delegates supported Clinton early in the process then defected to Obama’s campaign in May and June
Some of WA’s Supers (17)
Campaign 2008 Timeline1. Declaration2. Nomination 3. National
Convention4. Fall Campaign
4. Election Day5. Meeting of
electors6. Formal Election7. Inauguration Day
Nomination Phase to win…delegates to
Fall Campaign
National Convention Selection merely a formality
Selection of VP—time to “balance the ticket” Create party platform Reconciliation of party squabbles