Money and elections
"3 Distinct Phases"
Phase 1 (1790's -1880's)
- Money suppliments party activites
- The partisan parties
Phase 2 (1880's-1950's)
( believed to be the most corrupt, where the person with the most money, has the ability to buy the presidency)
- Limited number of campaign contributiors attempts are made to out-rais and out-spend the opponent.
- Mark Hanna - Help buy the presidency for some president I forgot the name of.
- Bebe Rebozo- Helped Nixon with his campaigns, giving him loads of money to win the presidency.
( This was the ERA before the FECA)
Phase 3 (1960's- present)
-Media centered elections
- Professional candidate centered campaigns
-Pollsters, media gurus, fund-raising experts
- Costs of campaigns sky rocketed.
( it's understandable that the cost of campaigns increased, because due to the advancement of technology, now the candidates have to pay more to get more coverage through the media. I'm sure you'll be able to remember this phase... 1960's- Present... all about the advancement of the MEDIA!)
Factors Driving increased Campaign spending
"Top Ten"
( he said that it's not the real top ten, it's just his TOP TEN)
Top Ten factors driving up the cost of American elections:
1. Tv
2. Private Consulting
3. New Technologies
4. Primary Elections
5. Set terms
6. Uncertainty ( I don't get this, I guess because when a candidate isn't certain about winning a campaign, due to polls, they just spend more money trying to get his face or her face out there!)
7. Inflation
8. Population growth
9. More money available
10. Strategic spending to discourage challengers.
Here are some tips for the test, that's the He gave us in class!
Also I'll put some HW questions on here!
- Alot of specifics of Electoral College
- Different Types of elections in the Electoral College
- Voting behavior - Specific Primaries
- Psychological theory, socio, economical theory.
- Beyond partisanship
- Different phases
- Timing of the Presidential Election cycle.
- Irony of the party. ( People don't mind voting for the Independent parties, but they won't due to Duvergers law)
- Candidates selection . The first way candidates were picked? Through caucuses, after that they moved to conventions, then they moved onto the primaries, which first started as closed primaries, and then some states adopted the open primaries.
Later on, i'll put up the hw so you can review it on here too... allright Hope all of my hard work, has helped you all in the long run!
Friday, March 28, 2008
Notes from Wednesday March 26th, 2008
- What still goes on at a Party Convention?
1. Roll call
2. Officially picking the Presidential and VP candidates.
3. It is like a big Pep rally, a big infomercial.
4. They write the rules for the next convention, Known as the Rules committee, not like the ones in Congress
5. Write the party platform/ manifesto.
-Money and organizations are important to a candidate’s chances, the media tendss to pick a likely winner by tracking the different candidates fund-raising success in the year before the election, it’s called an "Invisible Primary."
- Front loading makes sure that they pick all of their delegates fast. It gives an extra advantage to the candidates who were front-runners during the invisible primaries.
- What did we learn from table 10.1 from the book? Look into that.
Blanket Primary
-WA, CA, AK, have had a blanket primary at some time
- Pick your favorite primary candidate from either party.
Non Partisan Primary
-Only in LA
- Like a blanket primary without party labels
- The general elections is the run-off
-can result in two DEMs or two GOP’s in the general election.
Presidential Primaries
"Selecting delegates to the national Conventions"
A mismatch of rules.
- DeMS often use proportional Rule process
- GOP mostly uses plurality rule
- Different formulas have been used to determine the number of delegates that will represent each state
- Super delegates add to the confusion.
1. Roll call
2. Officially picking the Presidential and VP candidates.
3. It is like a big Pep rally, a big infomercial.
4. They write the rules for the next convention, Known as the Rules committee, not like the ones in Congress
5. Write the party platform/ manifesto.
-Money and organizations are important to a candidate’s chances, the media tendss to pick a likely winner by tracking the different candidates fund-raising success in the year before the election, it’s called an "Invisible Primary."
- Front loading makes sure that they pick all of their delegates fast. It gives an extra advantage to the candidates who were front-runners during the invisible primaries.
- What did we learn from table 10.1 from the book? Look into that.
Blanket Primary
-WA, CA, AK, have had a blanket primary at some time
- Pick your favorite primary candidate from either party.
Non Partisan Primary
-Only in LA
- Like a blanket primary without party labels
- The general elections is the run-off
-can result in two DEMs or two GOP’s in the general election.
Presidential Primaries
"Selecting delegates to the national Conventions"
A mismatch of rules.
- DeMS often use proportional Rule process
- GOP mostly uses plurality rule
- Different formulas have been used to determine the number of delegates that will represent each state
- Super delegates add to the confusion.
Thursday, March 27, 2008
Hey everyone
Hey, listen, tomorrow I'll have the notes for Wednesday and Friday of this week. So just check back later on Friday night. And if you have any questions ever in the future, for anything else just e-mail me at le0dude@yahoo.com
good luck on the test everyone! and study hard. I'm actually going to be out of my mind on Monday , cause I have both Political parties and also Congress test on teh same day. Plus I won't be getting home until 2 AM Monday Morning, leaving me only 5 and a half hours to test time! Why am i going to out so late Sunday night you may ask? Well for one reason only. I'm going to be going to Wrestlemania XXIV. It's going to be awesome, and worth it! I'll be a part of history!
good luck on the test everyone! and study hard. I'm actually going to be out of my mind on Monday , cause I have both Political parties and also Congress test on teh same day. Plus I won't be getting home until 2 AM Monday Morning, leaving me only 5 and a half hours to test time! Why am i going to out so late Sunday night you may ask? Well for one reason only. I'm going to be going to Wrestlemania XXIV. It's going to be awesome, and worth it! I'll be a part of history!
Monday, March 24, 2008
Monday Class notes March 24, 2008
MSC
- By 1917 all but four states had some types of primary
- In 1968 only about one third of the states held Presidential primaries
- The number of states holding primaries has been in constant flux in recent years
Primary elections
6 different types
-Closed Primaries:
- Set registration deadline
-Must join a political party
-Oldest type of primary
- Florida’s type
-Semi- Close Primaries
- Still must join a party
- No registration deadline
- Arguably, the best type of primaries for party organizations
-Open Primary
- Anyone can vote in either primary
- Creates opportunities for "raiding"
( Raiding - If you are a Republican, you go and pick the weakest Democrat that you know could be easily defeated by the Republican party)
- Both parties on the same ballot
-Semi Open
- Independents can still vote
- Must announce your party preference
-Blanket Primary
- WA, CA, AK, Have had a blanket primary at some time
- Pick your favorite primary candidate from either party.
- By 1917 all but four states had some types of primary
- In 1968 only about one third of the states held Presidential primaries
- The number of states holding primaries has been in constant flux in recent years
Primary elections
6 different types
-Closed Primaries:
- Set registration deadline
-Must join a political party
-Oldest type of primary
- Florida’s type
-Semi- Close Primaries
- Still must join a party
- No registration deadline
- Arguably, the best type of primaries for party organizations
-Open Primary
- Anyone can vote in either primary
- Creates opportunities for "raiding"
( Raiding - If you are a Republican, you go and pick the weakest Democrat that you know could be easily defeated by the Republican party)
- Both parties on the same ballot
-Semi Open
- Independents can still vote
- Must announce your party preference
-Blanket Primary
- WA, CA, AK, Have had a blanket primary at some time
- Pick your favorite primary candidate from either party.
Class Notes Friday March 21, 2008
Different elections used.
-Me and Ne and proportional rep
-Remaining states uses plurality rule
-Electoral college uses majority rule
Institutional arrangements
-Senate does the counting of sealed ballots
-(VP) was the one who has the power to open up the sealed ballots
-House chooses the winner if no candidates has a majority
- Each sates gets one vote
(the sate party organization prick the electoral college. They are going to be using plurality elections also known as the winner take all)
Possible reforms
-Make it law that they have to vote the way they pledge
- If no on e else gets a majority they have a second round.
- Direct election by majority rule
Party Primary History
-A Few Firs:
- Firs Direct Primary - democrats in Crawfords County PA in 1843
-First mandatory state wide primary - Minnesota in 1901
- First presidential Primary - Florida in 1904
-Me and Ne and proportional rep
-Remaining states uses plurality rule
-Electoral college uses majority rule
Institutional arrangements
-Senate does the counting of sealed ballots
-(VP) was the one who has the power to open up the sealed ballots
-House chooses the winner if no candidates has a majority
- Each sates gets one vote
(the sate party organization prick the electoral college. They are going to be using plurality elections also known as the winner take all)
Possible reforms
-Make it law that they have to vote the way they pledge
- If no on e else gets a majority they have a second round.
- Direct election by majority rule
Party Primary History
-A Few Firs:
- Firs Direct Primary - democrats in Crawfords County PA in 1843
-First mandatory state wide primary - Minnesota in 1901
- First presidential Primary - Florida in 1904
Notes From March 19th, 2008
Different Types of Legislation
"At least Four Tests"
Bills:
-House of Reps or Senate then the number
-Create statutory law
- Can be public or Private (affects only a single person)
Joint Resolutions
- H.J Res or S.J. Res
-Same as bills expect the J. Res to amend the constitution
-Continuing resolutions are types of J. Res
Concurrent resoultions
-H. Con Res, or Sen. Con Res
- Used to fix adjournement dates and congressional operation budget
Resolution
-H. Res or Sen. Res
- Matters within the purview of one chamber
- "Special Rules" From the Rules Committee in the House of Rep are Resolutions
(Picking a chaplan for ex)
Generalities:
-Today Roughly equal amounts of legislation are submitted in each chamber.
-The Two chambers cannot act on the same bill at the same time
-All legislation must be sponsered by a member
-legislation is numbers in the order it is reveived
House
- Drop it in the "hopper"
-territorial Delegates an the resident commissioner of Puerto Rico can sponsor legislation, but not the president of the US
-Some speaker discretion in committee assignment
Senate
-One must gain the "Floor" or the recognition of the presiding officer (stand up)
- New legislative initiative is announced
-Any senator can object and delay the announcement.Type of Committee referral (next class)
- What percentage of all bills making it to referral are received become law? 10%
- Split referral is the most devious (less than 1% become law)
Single Referral (90%)
-Entire bill sent to a single committee
-Preferred by the sponsor of the legislation
Joint Referral (4%)
-Same bill sent to multiple committees
- has been done to try and speed things up, but it is just as likely a dilatory maneuver
Split Referral (4%)
-Bill is broken up and sent to multiple commuttees
-Bill is still known by a single #, so if any part is rejected the whole bill is dead
-Probably the least favorite alternative from the view point of sponsors
(Bills and joint reolutions are laws)
"At least Four Tests"
Bills:
-House of Reps or Senate then the number
-Create statutory law
- Can be public or Private (affects only a single person)
Joint Resolutions
- H.J Res or S.J. Res
-Same as bills expect the J. Res to amend the constitution
-Continuing resolutions are types of J. Res
Concurrent resoultions
-H. Con Res, or Sen. Con Res
- Used to fix adjournement dates and congressional operation budget
Resolution
-H. Res or Sen. Res
- Matters within the purview of one chamber
- "Special Rules" From the Rules Committee in the House of Rep are Resolutions
(Picking a chaplan for ex)
Generalities:
-Today Roughly equal amounts of legislation are submitted in each chamber.
-The Two chambers cannot act on the same bill at the same time
-All legislation must be sponsered by a member
-legislation is numbers in the order it is reveived
House
- Drop it in the "hopper"
-territorial Delegates an the resident commissioner of Puerto Rico can sponsor legislation, but not the president of the US
-Some speaker discretion in committee assignment
Senate
-One must gain the "Floor" or the recognition of the presiding officer (stand up)
- New legislative initiative is announced
-Any senator can object and delay the announcement.Type of Committee referral (next class)
- What percentage of all bills making it to referral are received become law? 10%
- Split referral is the most devious (less than 1% become law)
Single Referral (90%)
-Entire bill sent to a single committee
-Preferred by the sponsor of the legislation
Joint Referral (4%)
-Same bill sent to multiple committees
- has been done to try and speed things up, but it is just as likely a dilatory maneuver
Split Referral (4%)
-Bill is broken up and sent to multiple commuttees
-Bill is still known by a single #, so if any part is rejected the whole bill is dead
-Probably the least favorite alternative from the view point of sponsors
(Bills and joint reolutions are laws)
Friday, March 21, 2008
Hey Folks
The notes for March 19th, and Fridays March 21st notes will be up by tonight... so if your checking in, just check it out later on tonight... Cause i'm waiting for Wednesdays notes... cause I missed Wednesdays class... have no fear!
Monday, March 17, 2008
Notes From Class...March 17th, 2008
Individual Level voting behavior
Three Primary Theories:
1. Sociological- Based on the demographics of the individual voter i.e. region, income, etc.
(1st Florida Primary ( Presidential) 1901, it was for the 1904 Presidential election)
2. Psychological- Based on group affiliations with party as a dominant consideration
3. Economic - Based on an evaluation of candidate performance and issue positions. ( Sometimes called rational choice) It is not a reference to money, it is based on rational decision making.
Wattenberg argues that the three theories interact:
Demographic characteristics lead to Psychological affiliations and biases which modify the Evaluation of Candidates and issues when determine voting.
BEYOND PARTISANSHIP
- Candidate image - " Character evaluations"
(Part of the economic theory)
- Most relevant in high profile races such as Presidential races
-Influence voter Turnout
( Polls showed that 51% of the people would vote no on Amendment 1. It was actually 60% yes, 40% no. The pollsters had a theory that the people were lying to the pollsters about what they would vote. But they didn’t take into account all of the Independents and the fact that the Democrats weren’t campaigning at the time!)
( Why do Florida Legislators let the people decide on "high speed rails". They do that so that when the legislation goes sour, there is only the people to blame for it! Because the people vote on it, and when it goes south, then the legislators won’t be blamed for it!)
Party Image:
-Considerable regional variation
- Retrospective judgements are more widely used
Issues:
- Pro-life, anti-gun control, and retrospective economic judgements are three issues positions that explain a measurable amount of voting behavior.
IRONIES OF PARTY IN THE ELECTORATE
1. On the one hand:
-67% of the people say they believe that there should be a viable third voting option ( from the NES of 2002)
2. On the other hand:
-ON election day, third party voting averages around 3%
3. On the one hand:
- It is common for people to complain that there is no difference in the parties
4. On the other hand:
- GOP control is statistically linked to lower taxes and less social welfare
Three Primary Theories:
1. Sociological- Based on the demographics of the individual voter i.e. region, income, etc.
(1st Florida Primary ( Presidential) 1901, it was for the 1904 Presidential election)
2. Psychological- Based on group affiliations with party as a dominant consideration
3. Economic - Based on an evaluation of candidate performance and issue positions. ( Sometimes called rational choice) It is not a reference to money, it is based on rational decision making.
Wattenberg argues that the three theories interact:
Demographic characteristics lead to Psychological affiliations and biases which modify the Evaluation of Candidates and issues when determine voting.
BEYOND PARTISANSHIP
- Candidate image - " Character evaluations"
(Part of the economic theory)
- Most relevant in high profile races such as Presidential races
-Influence voter Turnout
( Polls showed that 51% of the people would vote no on Amendment 1. It was actually 60% yes, 40% no. The pollsters had a theory that the people were lying to the pollsters about what they would vote. But they didn’t take into account all of the Independents and the fact that the Democrats weren’t campaigning at the time!)
( Why do Florida Legislators let the people decide on "high speed rails". They do that so that when the legislation goes sour, there is only the people to blame for it! Because the people vote on it, and when it goes south, then the legislators won’t be blamed for it!)
Party Image:
-Considerable regional variation
- Retrospective judgements are more widely used
Issues:
- Pro-life, anti-gun control, and retrospective economic judgements are three issues positions that explain a measurable amount of voting behavior.
IRONIES OF PARTY IN THE ELECTORATE
1. On the one hand:
-67% of the people say they believe that there should be a viable third voting option ( from the NES of 2002)
2. On the other hand:
-ON election day, third party voting averages around 3%
3. On the one hand:
- It is common for people to complain that there is no difference in the parties
4. On the other hand:
- GOP control is statistically linked to lower taxes and less social welfare
Monday, March 3, 2008
Notes, March 3 2008
Progressive Eras and Reform
Beyond the Australian Ballot- Other progressive era reforms
- Commission form of oversight developed for local governments. ( Has a director who handles each part, such as Commissioner of Sanitation, water, etc)
-City Managers - non partisans public administrator
-17th and 19th Amendment
Why was the progressive movement successful?
-Muckraking journalism and media scrutiny of corruption sets the agenda ( HE said to remember it in you own words, It means that an attentive media is willing to expose things)
- Charismatic leaders - T.R. and “fighting” Bob LaFollette. ( T.R. Progressive candidate of 1912, Bob was the candidate of 1916)
- Healthy amounts of partisan conflict.
-galvanizing events like Upton Sinclair’s “The Jungle” and the election of 1912.
The slow and steady pace of reform.
Unintended consequences of reform.
-Public oversight becomes a fertile ground for corruption in it’s own rights
-merit system has never been comprehensive and has always been compromised
- Direct democracy takes on some qualities of “mob rule’
- Ballot access becomes more difficult preventing 3rd party competition.
DEMS AND GOPS
“Issue w/some staying Power”
GOP
-Focus on individualism with tacit opposition to collective identity.
-nationalism - especially nativism
- commitment to “divine truths”
- Lincoln and the “Natural rights of Man”
- In the modern era the US was predestined to be a super power.
-Traditional moral values
-anti-slavery
-Opposition to polygamy
-Just say “no”
-Opposition to gay marriage.
DEMS
-More open to new immigration
-Support for agriculture
-Historically , the plantation economy and small Western farms
- Today, subsidization of ethanol production
-Support for civil liberties and less national government involvement in citizens personal lives
- Identification w/ the working class
- Embrace religious pluralism
( What is the biggest barrier to voting? Same Day Registration)
Well the test is tomorrow! He said to pretty much focus, and you’ll do fine! I’m sorry for this test, because I didn’t have enough time to get everything done. But by next time for the next test, I’ll be able to get it done, and get more notes and better preparedness for a test!
Beyond the Australian Ballot- Other progressive era reforms
- Commission form of oversight developed for local governments. ( Has a director who handles each part, such as Commissioner of Sanitation, water, etc)
-City Managers - non partisans public administrator
-17th and 19th Amendment
Why was the progressive movement successful?
-Muckraking journalism and media scrutiny of corruption sets the agenda ( HE said to remember it in you own words, It means that an attentive media is willing to expose things)
- Charismatic leaders - T.R. and “fighting” Bob LaFollette. ( T.R. Progressive candidate of 1912, Bob was the candidate of 1916)
- Healthy amounts of partisan conflict.
-galvanizing events like Upton Sinclair’s “The Jungle” and the election of 1912.
The slow and steady pace of reform.
Unintended consequences of reform.
-Public oversight becomes a fertile ground for corruption in it’s own rights
-merit system has never been comprehensive and has always been compromised
- Direct democracy takes on some qualities of “mob rule’
- Ballot access becomes more difficult preventing 3rd party competition.
DEMS AND GOPS
“Issue w/some staying Power”
GOP
-Focus on individualism with tacit opposition to collective identity.
-nationalism - especially nativism
- commitment to “divine truths”
- Lincoln and the “Natural rights of Man”
- In the modern era the US was predestined to be a super power.
-Traditional moral values
-anti-slavery
-Opposition to polygamy
-Just say “no”
-Opposition to gay marriage.
DEMS
-More open to new immigration
-Support for agriculture
-Historically , the plantation economy and small Western farms
- Today, subsidization of ethanol production
-Support for civil liberties and less national government involvement in citizens personal lives
- Identification w/ the working class
- Embrace religious pluralism
( What is the biggest barrier to voting? Same Day Registration)
Well the test is tomorrow! He said to pretty much focus, and you’ll do fine! I’m sorry for this test, because I didn’t have enough time to get everything done. But by next time for the next test, I’ll be able to get it done, and get more notes and better preparedness for a test!
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