Campaign Strategy

Campaigns & Elections Unit

Primary & Caucus

Link(Caucus & Primary System) Link(Frontloading HQ)

Getting Ahead Early Campaigns start

nearly a year out in advance of election if not earlier.

Strong showings needed early- candidate must do well in both Iowa and New Hampshire to make a solid push for the presidency.

Iowa Caucus Iowa Caucus

First electoral event of presidential campaign Disproportionate amount of media attention

vs. amount of delegates are elected from Iowa Must do well here otherwise lose media

attention and financers necessary for successful campaign 2012 winner – Mitt Romney

Winners tend to be very liberal Democrats or very conservative Republicans

New Hampshire Primary

First primary of presidential election campaign

Known for massive amounts of media coverage

The momentum of a win in New Hampshire can propel candidates to the nomination

A New Hampshire loss or poor showing can often force candidates to drop out of the race 2012 winner – Mitt Romney

Campaign Strategies Deciding which states to focus

resources on is essential. Swing states (13) usually draw most attention- Florida, Pennsylvania, Ohio.

How much money should be spent on different types of advertising?

What issues need to be stressed? Look at current events. 2012 key ones?

Advertising Mediums of

the Campaign

TrailGaining notice and popularity

The Campaign RunPolitical Ads start- with the

official opening of the mud-slinging season

Attack Ads help increase voter turnout

Allows the voters a deeper look into the character of the candidate

Using the Airwaves

Paid Advertisements (TV and Radio)Best way to reach peopleLesser known candidates can boost their popularity

Has greater effect in the primaries then in general election

TV leads people to relying on popular images and symbols

News Broadcasts and TV Shows

Very low cost to candidates Has greater credibility with

voters Pick and choose which programs

to be “guests” on Can be less informative though.

Examples: Barack Obama on Ellen

Internet Each candidate has own website Makes direct mailings

campaigns possible, easy way to raise money

Allows access to specific voters via email

Facebook, Twitter, Youtube, Websites, etc. 15 million American FB users in

2008 60 million American FB users in

2012 9 million tweets during Pres.

Obama’s speech 57,000+ per minute #DNC2012

Political Debates Provides

advantage to the challengers- ability to be seen and heard from

Slip of tongue during debates can hurt you. – Rick Perry

Appearance of individual can help or hurt as well