Chapter 9 - Nominations And Campaigns

The statement "Running for the presidency is a full-time job" is true because running a successful presidential campaign requires a significant amount of time, effort, and dedication. Candidates must engage in various activities such as fundraising, campaigning, attending events, giving speeches, meeting with potential voters, and participating in debates. These tasks demand their full attention and often require them to travel extensively across the country. Therefore, running for the presidency is indeed a full-time commitment.

Campaign strategy typically focuses on key elements that contribute to its success, such as building momentum, securing financial resources, and gaining media attention. However, mediocrity is not a key element of campaign strategy. In fact, campaigns aim to stand out and differentiate themselves from their competitors, striving for excellence rather than mediocrity. Therefore, mediocrity does not align with the objectives and principles of a campaign strategy.

The statement suggests that the political candidate is capable of handling most campaign tasks on their own without any assistance. However, the correct answer is false. This implies that the candidate requires assistance to handle the various tasks involved in a campaign.

New Hampshire is the correct answer because it is traditionally the state that holds the first presidential primary in the United States. This primary is an important event in the presidential election process as it helps determine the viability and popularity of candidates early on in the campaign. Candidates often focus their efforts on New Hampshire, making it a crucial state in the race for the presidency.

The statement is false because presidential primaries are not largely ignored by the media. In fact, the media extensively covers presidential primaries as they are crucial events in the political process. The media reports on the candidates, their campaigns, debates, and the outcomes of the primaries. This coverage helps inform the public about the candidates and their positions, and plays a significant role in shaping public opinion.

All of the options listed are central to the success of a campaign. A campaign organization is crucial as it provides the structure, strategy, and coordination needed to effectively run a campaign. Money is essential as it allows campaigns to fund various activities such as advertising, hiring staff, conducting research, and organizing events. Media attention is also vital as it helps to create awareness, shape public opinion, and reach a wider audience. Therefore, all three elements - campaign organization, money, and media attention - are necessary for a campaign's success.

Campaigns in most industrialized countries do not last longer than in the United States.

Campaigns today tend to promote individualism in American politics because candidates often focus on personal qualities, achievements, and promises rather than emphasizing collective or community-oriented goals. This shift towards individualism can be seen in the emphasis on candidates' personal stories, their ability to connect with voters on a personal level, and their focus on individual rights and freedoms. Additionally, the rise of social media and personalized messaging allows candidates to tailor their campaigns to target specific individuals and demographics, further promoting individualism in the political sphere.

A political party's official endorsement of a candidacy for office is called a nomination. This refers to the party's selection and support of a specific individual to run for a particular office. The nomination process involves evaluating potential candidates, selecting the most suitable one, and formally announcing their endorsement as the party's official candidate.

The Iowa caucus and the New Hampshire primary play a disproportionate role in building momentum because they are the first two contests in the presidential nomination process. Winning or performing well in these early states can create momentum for a candidate's campaign and help them gain support and credibility. Additionally, these early contests are crucial for generating money as donors are more likely to contribute to candidates who are seen as viable contenders. Furthermore, these contests receive significant media attention as they are seen as indicators of a candidate's strength and viability, thus generating media attention for the candidates.

The statement that voters in primaries and caucuses are highly representative of the electorate at large is false. Primaries and caucuses typically have lower voter turnout compared to general elections, which means that the individuals who participate in these events may not accurately reflect the overall population. Additionally, the demographics and preferences of primary and caucus voters can differ significantly from the broader electorate, leading to potential biases in the selection of candidates. Therefore, it is incorrect to claim that primary and caucus voters are highly representative of the electorate at large.

Delegates to the national party convention are determined by both presidential primaries and state party caucuses. Presidential primaries are elections held in each state to select the preferred candidate for the party's nomination. State party caucuses, on the other hand, are meetings where party members gather to discuss and vote on their preferred candidate. Both methods play a role in determining the delegates who will represent each state at the national party convention.

527 groups are independent groups that seek to influence the political process but are not subject to contribution restrictions because they do not directly seek the election of particular candidates. These groups are named after Section 527 of the Internal Revenue Code, which governs their tax-exempt status. Unlike Political Action Committees (PACs), 527 groups are not directly affiliated with any candidate or political party. They can engage in issue advocacy, voter mobilization, and issue-based advertising, making them a popular choice for organizations looking to influence the political landscape without directly supporting a specific candidate.

The statement "The early caucuses and primaries get very little media attention relative to those later in the campaign" is false. In reality, early caucuses and primaries tend to receive a significant amount of media attention. This is because they are the first opportunities for voters to express their preferences and set the tone for the rest of the campaign. Media outlets often closely cover these events to analyze the candidates' performances and gauge their viability. The attention given to early caucuses and primaries helps shape public opinion and influence the trajectory of the campaign.

The correct answer is 20%. The percentage of voter turnout for the presidential primaries is relatively low, with only a fifth of eligible voters participating. This could be due to various factors such as lack of interest, apathy, or a belief that their vote does not make a significant impact. It is crucial to encourage higher voter turnout to ensure a more representative democracy.

The McGovern-Fraser Commission was formed in response to the 1968 Democratic National Convention, which was marred by riots and protests. The purpose of the commission was to address the concerns raised by these events and draft reforms that would make the Democratic National Convention more representative. This suggests that the commission aimed to make the convention more inclusive and ensure that a broader range of voices and perspectives were heard in the decision-making process.

Having enough money to get a message across is the most important ingredient of electoral success because it allows candidates to effectively communicate their policies, ideas, and campaign promises to voters. Money is needed to fund advertising campaigns, hire staff, organize events, and reach a wide audience through various media channels. Without sufficient funds, candidates may struggle to gain visibility, connect with voters, and compete against opponents who can outspend them. Therefore, having enough money to get a message across is crucial in order to effectively convey a candidate's platform and increase their chances of electoral success.

The national party convention serves several important functions, including nominating a candidate for president, developing the party's policy positions, and getting the campaign rolling. However, selecting members of the electoral college is not one of its functions. The electoral college is typically composed of individuals chosen by the political parties at the state level, rather than being directly selected at the national party convention. Therefore, selecting members of the electoral college is not an important function of the convention.

Television networks have indeed reduced their coverage of national party conventions. This could be due to various reasons such as declining viewership, changing media landscape, and the availability of alternative platforms for accessing convention coverage. As a result, networks may choose to allocate their resources to other programming that attracts a larger audience or generates higher advertising revenue. This reduction in coverage has been observed in recent years, indicating that the statement is true.

Presidential primaries are a common method used by most states to select delegates for the national party convention. During presidential primaries, voters directly participate in selecting their preferred candidate for the party's nomination. This method allows for a more democratic and inclusive process, as it gives individual voters a say in choosing the party's nominee. In contrast, party bosses, caucuses, and debates are not as widely used or effective in determining the party's nominee as presidential primaries are.

The Federal Election Campaign Act, as amended, includes provisions for partial public financing for candidates, disclosure of contributions, and limits on contributions. However, the elimination of Political Action Committees (PACs) is not a part of this act. PACs are independent organizations that can raise and spend unlimited amounts of money to support or oppose political candidates, and they are regulated by separate laws.

The Supreme Court case of Buckley v. Valeo (1976) struck down limits on the amount individuals could contribute to their own campaigns. This means that individuals were no longer restricted in how much money they could donate to their own political campaigns. The Court found that these limits violated the First Amendment's protection of free speech, as they hindered individuals' ability to express their political views through financial contributions to their own campaigns.

Newspapers and newsmagazines prioritize providing comprehensive coverage of the issues rather than focusing on the campaign itself. This means that they pay less attention to the campaign and instead focus on reporting and analyzing the various issues that are important during the campaign period.

The statement "is not played by every politician" indicates that not all politicians participate in the presidential campaign game. This suggests that there are some politicians who choose not to run for president or engage in the campaign process. The statement implies that the game is selective and not all politicians are involved in it.

The formation of a Political Action Committee (PAC) does not make it possible to avoid reporting expenditures to the Federal Election Commission (FEC). PACs are required by law to report their expenditures to the FEC, which ensures transparency and accountability in campaign finance. PACs must disclose information about their contributions and expenditures, including details about the individuals or organizations that contribute to them and how the funds are spent.

The explanation for the correct answer, which is False, is that Congress does not have the authority to make laws determining the way in which primaries are set up and delegates are allocated. This responsibility falls under the jurisdiction of individual states, who have the power to establish their own rules and regulations for primary elections and delegate allocation. Congress does play a role in regulating federal elections, but the specific details of primary elections are determined at the state level.

Political Action Committees (PACs) aim to gain access to officeholders through their contributions. By financially supporting political campaigns and candidates, PACs hope to establish a relationship with officeholders and have their voices heard. This access allows them to influence policy decisions and advocate for their interests. It is a common strategy used by PACs to ensure that their concerns and objectives are considered by those in power.

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The statement suggests that the majority of delegates attending the national party convention do not have a prior commitment or obligation to vote for a specific candidate. This implies that these delegates have the freedom to decide and potentially change their voting preference during the convention. Therefore, the answer "True" indicates that most delegates are not bound by any predetermined candidate choice.

The statement "most television advertising has little to do with salient campaign issues" is false. This means that the majority of television advertising is actually related to important campaign issues.

The correct answer suggests that superdelegates to the Democratic National Convention help restore an element of peer review to the process. This implies that the presence of superdelegates allows for a more thorough evaluation and assessment of the candidates, ensuring that the selection process is based on informed decisions made by experienced party members. It suggests that the inclusion of superdelegates helps maintain a level of expertise and scrutiny in the selection process, enhancing the overall quality and credibility of the candidates chosen.

The McCain-Feingold Act, also known as the Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act of 2002, aimed to regulate campaign financing in the United States. It included several provisions to limit the influence of money in politics. One of the provisions was a ban on soft money contributions, which are unregulated donations to political parties. Another provision was a ban on groups running "issue ads" within 60 days of the general election. The Act also increased the amount that individuals could give to candidates. However, it did not include a ban on Political Action Committees (PACs), which are organizations that raise and spend money to support or oppose political candidates.

Walter Mondale said, "The question is not whether I can get elected. The question is whether I can be elected and not be nuts when I get there?" This quote reflects Mondale's self-awareness and concern about maintaining his sanity while holding office. It suggests that he recognized the challenges and pressures of being in a position of power and wanted to ensure he could handle them effectively.

The statement is false because caucuses are not the only method used by state parties to select their delegates to the national party convention. Other methods include primary elections and state conventions.

The correct answer is conversion. Conversion refers to the process of changing someone's opinion or behavior. In the context of campaigns for voters, conversion would mean persuading individuals to change their voting preferences or to actually go out and vote. Reinforcement and activation, on the other hand, are more common consequences of campaigns. Reinforcement refers to strengthening existing beliefs or attitudes, while activation refers to motivating individuals to become more politically engaged.

American elections cost, per person, about as much as a DVD movie. This means that the cost of running elections in America, when divided by the total number of people, is approximately equal to the price of a DVD movie. This comparison suggests that the cost of elections is relatively low and affordable for individuals, similar to the price of a DVD movie.

In the United States, party outsiders do have a chance of being elected. While the two major parties, Democrats and Republicans, dominate the political landscape, there have been instances where independent or third-party candidates have been elected to various positions. Examples include Ross Perot, who ran as an independent candidate for president in 1992, and Bernie Sanders, who identifies as an independent but caucuses with the Democrats in Congress. Additionally, local and state elections often see candidates from smaller parties or as independents winning seats. Therefore, it is incorrect to say that party outsiders have no chance of being elected in the United States.

Candidates promise to reduce government programs and spending, develop a national policy platform, and avoid talking about local issues in order to secure votes from each region and state of the country. However, in practice, candidates often end up supporting a variety of local interests. This is because they need to appeal to voters in different regions and states, who have their own unique concerns and priorities. By supporting local interests, candidates can gain the support and votes of these specific groups, increasing their chances of winning the election.

Close elections do not weaken the impact of campaigns because in such elections, the outcome is uncertain and the margin of victory is narrow. This increases the importance of campaigns as candidates and parties strive to sway undecided voters and mobilize their supporters. Close elections create a sense of urgency and encourage active participation from both candidates and voters, making campaigns more influential and impactful.

Political campaigns aim to engage and persuade voters to support a candidate or a cause. One common goal is to target undecided voters, influencing their decisions through various strategies such as advertising, rallies, and outreach efforts. The other options, reducing voter turnout, increasing polarization, and limiting media coverage, are generally not goals of political campaigns but may be unintended consequences or concerns.

Candidates do not necessarily need PACs because high tech campaigning is expensive. While it is true that high tech campaigning can be costly, candidates have other options for funding their campaigns, such as individual donors, grassroots fundraising, and public financing. PACs are independent organizations that can support candidates, but they are not the only source of campaign funding. Therefore, the statement that candidates need PACs because high tech campaigning is expensive is false.