Campaigns & Elections
Election Campaigns
What is a campaign?
An effort or organized activity by a political candidate &
their support to win the backing of:
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Donors
Political advisers
Groups
Voters
Elements of a Campaign
 Building a formal campaign organization
 Recruiting
A campaign manager
 A media consultant
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Election Campaigns
Elements of a Campaign
 Recruiting
A financial adviser
 A press director
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Fund-raising
At least half a million for a seat in House
 At least 5 million for a seat in Senate
 At least 50 million for the White House
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Bill Clinton raised $350,000 in Utah for Hillary
By end of Oct, almost $80 million for Clinton &
Obama
Election Campaigns
Elements of a Campaign
 Polling
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Conducting polls to find out
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Voter info & their past voting behavior
Voter needs
Voter expectations, hopes, and fears
Polls conducted throughout campaign to
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Assess weaknesses and strengths
Craft strategy
Modify positions
Select issues
Checking voter responses
Election Campaigns
Elements of a Campaign
 Primaries
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A series of campaign activities to win
nomination
Strategies of Winning a Campaign
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“I can win” attitude
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American politics does not favor losers
Winner takes all
A strategy to maximize chances of winning
Visibility of the candidate
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Name recognition
Election Campaigns
Strategies of Winning a Campaign
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Visibility of the candidate
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Name recognition
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if well-known candidate, highlighting her/his
accomplishments
If unknown candidate, increasing his/her
appearance before public
Recognition of position on issues
Use of public opinion
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Conduct polls
Use tracking polls on a daily basis as election draws
near
Election Campaigns
Strategies of Winning a Campaign
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Use of public opinion
Use of focus groups
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What is a focus group?
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Citizens selected from certain target groups such as
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Blue color men
 Senior citizens
 College students
The group discusses
 Personality traits of candidates
 Political advertising
 Other candidate related issues
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Election Campaigns
Strategies of Winning a Campaign
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Use of focus groups
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What is a focus group?
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Citizens selected from certain target groups such as
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The group discusses
 Groups are expected to reveal more
emotional responses to candidates or deep
anxieties of voters
Campaign can then shape its messages to
respond to these feelings and concerns
Presidential Election
Issues & Perceptions
 Voters think they are voting for president
directly; They are voting for electors in fact
 Number & choice of electors in Article II, Sec I of
Constitution
Why Electoral College?
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Avoiding selection of president by excited masses
for the supposedly dispassionate, reasonable men
to make the choice
Choice of Electors
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Selection governed by state laws in every
presidential election year
Presidential Election
Choice of Electors
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Selection governed by state laws in every
presidential election year
Total number of electors: 538 (=100 Senators+435
Representatives+3 electors from D.C.)
 CA=55
 NY=33
 TX=34
 MT=3.
Congressional Election
Success Factors
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Incumbency advantage
Redistricting
Who the person to run
 Name recognition
 Fund-raising
 Charisma