I. Why do they run?
II. Who is eligible?
III. The strategy of winning
IV. Financing the Campaign
V. Why some Americans do not vote?
VI. How do voters decide?
Democrat or Republican?
Socio-Economic and Demographic Factors
I. Why do they run?
Self Starters:
To further their careers
To carry out specific political programs
Example: Americans with Disabilities Act
In response to certain issues or events
Example: Anti Obama or Anti Bush
Ambition, Power
Recruited:
To fill the slate of candidates
II. Who is Eligible?
President:
A natural born citizen
At least 35 years old
A resident for 14 years Vice President:
A natural born citizen
At lesat 35 years old
Not a resident of the same state as the candidate for president
Senator:
a citizen for at least 9 years
At least 30 years old
Be a resident of the state from which selected
Representative:
A citizen for at least 7 years
At least 25 years old
A resident of the state from which elected
II. The Strategy of Winning
Professional Campaign
Candidate Visibility and Appeal
The use of Opinion Polls and Focus Groups
P.A.C-
III. Citizens United v. FEC (2010)
Corporations, Unions, and Non-Profits may spend freely to support oppose a candidates
They can spend whatever they wish on issue ads
IV. Turning out to Vote
The effect of Low Voter Turnout
Some feel low voter participation is a threat to representative democratic government
Others feel it represent satisfaction with the status quo
V. Why don’t People Vote?
Political Withdrawal- Fewer citizens feel involved enough in their community to be interested in voting
Bowling Alone, R. Patterson- Social Capitalism, individualism is one of the reasons for low voter turnout
Rational Ignorance- people chose not to inform themselves on issues because they do not believe their vote is likely to e deciding factor
Campaign Effects- the length of campaigns and negative advertising may drive voters away
VI. Factors Influencing Who Votes:
Age(The older, more vote) in
Education (the more educated, the more vote)
Income Levels (the wealthier, the more vote)
Two-Party Competition(The more competitive, the more vote)
VII. Who Votes Democrat, Who votes Republican?
Republican:
More education(college degree)
More Income, Business people, White Collars
Protestants
Anglo-Saxon and Northern European, Chinese Americans
Male
Older
Democratic
Less Education- 51%
Less Income, Manual laborers, union members 63%
Catholics and Jews 73%
Irish, Slavic, Polish, Italian heritage, African Americans 93%
Women, gays, and lesbians
Younger
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