Exam II American Presidency Flashcards
Choosing the President Options
Direct election by people
Selection by Congress
Selection by state legislatures
Electoral College
The Original Selection Method for VP
Electors must vote for 2 people on the same ballot
One candidate receives vast majority of elector votes
Importance of the 12th amendment
Separate Ballots for President and VP
Effort to pass amendment difficult
Its passage signaled a recognition of role of parties
National Nominating Convention
Presidential nominees selected through national nominating conventions (1830s)
Originally congressional caucuses
Made up of delegates from each state
Delegates chosen by powerful state party leaders (influenced how delegates would vote)
Conventions in the 1800s > Political!! why?
Variety of procedures, choosing delegates
Provided forum for party bosses
Mechanism for negotiation, mobilization
Helped unite party > national coalition
Candidates were chosen how during NNC ?
By party leaders
Leaders preferred…
politically neutral,personally illustrious
reliable partisan servant
What was the issue with NNC selection process
Critics: corrupt, undemocratic
- No elections, p.o. did not directly affect party’s selection of nominee
Primary Elections
Progressive Reform, early 1900s
Intended to replace selection by elites
States adopted the reform over time
Negotiations w party leaders still critical
Benefits of Primaries
Served to boost a candidate’s prospects
Demonstrate vote getting abilities, locales of support
Influence of Television on primaries
Increased popularity and power of primaries
Today’s Selection Process
Primary Election
Party Convention
General Election
In today’s political environment, a candidate must declare his/her candidacy early, why?
Frontloading
Primary Election
choose the nominee
each state holds primary election
Party Convention
- Nominee solidifies support, unites party
- Energizes those doing the grunt work
- Media attention: positive tone, coverage
- Writing/Announcement of platform
- Energize the base (turnout)
General Election
- The president is NOT elected by popular vote
The Electoral College
- indirect mechanism
-again, involves separate elections
How does the General Election work?
- Each state has votes in the EC equal to the number of members in the House & Senate
- The popular vote in a state is counted
- The candidate with the most popular votes wins ALL the EC votes for that state (most states)
- The candidate needs a majority of the EC votes
to be elected president
- In December, the EC electors go to their state capital-cast their votes for their state’s popular vote
winner-in January the new Congress opens the votes and
announces the winner
Political Considerations
The Public via
- Public Spectacle
- Public Spectacle - News Media - Political parties - Interest groups
Importance of the Public
All presidents face same tough challenge
Obtain – Maintain public support
How does the president monitor the public?
Public opinion polls
Election results
Mail from public
Public Expectations
Are our expectations high / low?
(should accomplish v success)
Do expectations change quickly / slowly?
Why?
- candidate rhetoric - socialization - prominence/visibility - project frustrations…individual - lack of understanding of process
Influences on public approval
- Party
- Issues
- Personality
- International events (rally…)
- Economy
- Positivity bias
- Media
- Groups
Is the president more popular at beginning / end?
Beginning
Implications for policy success?
The beginning of his presidency is known as what?
Honeymoon period (varies!)
Leading the Public
Presentation skills
Public predisposition
Loss Aversion
Public attentiveness
Focusing attention
Framing issues
Public relations (managing information…strategies?)
