POLITICAL PARTIES & ELECTIONS, FALL 2010

CONGRESSIONAL CAMPAIGNS, CHOOSING CANDIDATES

Jacobson chapter 4, Hershey chapter 9

Friday, October 29

Lingering question from Wednesday’s class:

8. Considering the data presented in all of these articles and readings for today [and including the opening pages of Jacobson chapter 4 for today], what if anything should be done about the campaign finance system? Do you believe money should be equated with free speech? Is limiting campaign finance contributions constitutional at all?

Hershey 1. Why did states begin to adopt the direct primary in the early 20^th century? Ponder and discuss.

Hershey 2. What pros and cons exist with the various types of primaries (closed, open, blanket, and the runoff system) from the point of view of political parties AND congressional candidates? Has the direct primary system in general made elections more democratic?

Jacobson 1A. Besides raising large amounts of money, what is the most important thing a congressional (House) challenger must do to make his/her campaign effective?

Jacobson 1B. Same question, this time for a congressional candidate seeking an open seat – what’s most important to make his/her campaign effective?

Jacobson 1C. How do strategic considerations about the campaign differ for a Senate candidate, compared to a House candidate? Does a Senate candidate have a different “most important thing to do”?

Jacobson 2. Considering the ‘strings’ that may be attached to party support for a congressional candidate and/or incumbent, should candidates/incumbents accept the party’s support at all? Under what conditions might candidates/incumbents reject party support?

X. Pose a question of your own about these chapters!