US Elections Flashcards
Presidential nominee requirements
1) Must be 35
2) Must have been in office for at least 15 years
3) Must be natural born American
What is the invisible primary?
The period of time between a candidate announcing his bid for presidency and the first primaries
What takes place during the invisible primary?
1) Formal events - allow candidates to give speeches and support their campaign. Important one for republicans is the Ames Straw Poll, and for Democrats, Jeffrey-Jackson Day
2) Visits are also important, especially to Iowa and New Hampshire (2012 - Rick Santorum visited Iowa 266 times)
3) Fundraising - Al Gore’s massive fund raising deterred other opponents such as Bob Kerrey
What makes successful Presidential candidates?
1) Political experience
2) Ability to raise money - Obama raised $125m in 2011
3) Oratorical skills
4) Party endorsement - third party independents don’t succeed
What is a primary?
An election to choose the party’s candidate for presidency. Occurs within states, chooses delegates to vote for the candidate at the national party convention where they will decide.
What is a caucus?
State based series of meetings where they discuss presidential nominees instead of just voting at polling stations like primaries. Thinly populated states like Iowa hold caucuses, but still few states use this method.
To what extent are caucuses an appropriate means of selecting candidates?
1) They are - traditional, civil engagement, acts as tough test for candidates (rigorous process)
2) They are - 2008 Obama relied on caucuses, time consuming nature gives power to more involved voters
3) They aren’t - low turnout (11% compared to 36% primary in 2016) + voters unrep. of pop. Ron Paul won 10% of votes in 40 primaries and caucuses, but 21% av. in caucus states
What are the arguments for reforming presidential nomination process
1) Campaign process
2) Role of media is too big
3) Undemocratic
What are the arguments against reforming presidential nomination process
1) McGovern Fraser reforms are significant
2) Republican put in new rules
How are the McGovern Fraser reforms already effective
• The McGovern Fraser reform already had a significant effect on the process:
o Reduced caucus’s down to only 13 remaining – more democratic process of electing
o It encouraged greater transparency and voter participation – since 1968, turnout has increased by 50 million
o 28.5% turnout for the 2016 elections
How are Republican nomination rules effective
• In 2012, Republican’s announced new rules for process
o Only New Hampshire, Iowa, South Carolina and Nevada are allowed to hold their primaries before the first Tuesday of March (super Tuesday), and any states holding it before march 16th must award delegates on a proportional basis
o This has reduced the process of front loading
How are super-delegates undemocratic
• Super delegates: unelected delegates who are allowed to vote for whatever candidate they choose at the Democrat National Party Convention – they can vote for an unpopular candidate if there is no clear winner
o However, a super delegate has never reversed a popular result
How are caucuses and primaries undemocratic
o Although only 13 caucus states remain, however these undermine the democratic electoral system as it is left up to party officials rather than the people
o Closed primaries and caucuses alike restrict participation and turnout, leading to mostly the party extremes remaining to participate - unrepresentative
Disproportional influence of primaries
o Iowa and New Hampshire seen as most important states to win in – even though they represent less than 2% of the population – 2012, Rick Santorum made 266 visits to Iowa
o They have a large impact on perceived success of a candidate – i.e. win here, you’ll succeed
o However, not necessary to win these states – Trump won N-Hampshire only, Obama won Iowa only
