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13.3 - 13.5 Electing the President. First 2 Days: Keynote address (define) given Party’s platform (define) drawn up Rousing speeches. Last 2 Days: More speeches Delegates vote for Pres & VP candidates Pres candidate makes his acceptance speech. At the National Convention.
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13.3 - 13.5 Electing the President
First 2 Days: Keynote address (define) given Party’s platform (define) drawn up Rousing speeches Last 2 Days: More speeches Delegates vote for Pres & VP candidates Pres candidate makes his acceptance speech At the National Convention
Nat'l Convention Questions • Which city has held the most nat’l conventions? When has Houston hosted? • At the nat’l convention, about how many ballots does it take to result in a choice of a candidate? • one B. five • two D. ten
Party platforms are regularly criticized for being too • detailed. B. vague. • regional. D. narrow. • Historically, which group has produced the most presidential candidates? • generals B. representatives • senators D. governors • Which of the following groups has never had a member nominated to the ticket of a major party? • women B. Catholics • African Americans D. divorced men
The Electoral College • Electoral college – the body that makes the official selection of the president (538 electors total) • Each State has as many electors as it has senators and seats in the House (2 + reps = electors) • Today, each State’s pres electors are chosen by direct popular vote (you vote for them when you vote for your candidate for pres)
Defects in the Electoral College System
Winner of the popular vote does NOT always win the presidency(1824, 1876, 1888, 2000) • Winning candidate customarily receives ALL that State’s electoral votes(whether a large or small victory)
Obama 365 electoral votes (67.8%) 69,456,897 popular votes (52.9%) • McCain 173 electoral votes (32.2%) 59,934,814 popular votes (45.7%)
Nothing requires electors to vote for the candidate the popular vote favors • Expected to vote for the candidate who carries the state, but some have “broken their pledges” & voted for another candidate (9 times)
Possibility the contest will be decided in the House(only twice) • Need a MAJORITY (1 more than ½)of electoral votes to win the presidency (currently 270 votes) • Strong 3rd party candidate can prevent a major party from winning that majority
Strengths • Tradition – it’s a known process (new plans may have problems we don’t know about) • Winner of the election is known quickly & certainly