The Executive Branch The Framer’s Plan & Presidential Nominations

1. The Executive BranchThe Framer’s Plan & Presidential Nominations

2. Very Complex Process…few understand it completely – you’re gonna get an overview This really muddies the waters

3. Election of Presidents… Why not the obvious? • Popular Vote was a “NO”…here’s why… • Country was too big • People were too spread out • Candidates could not “make themselves known” • One other consideration: Congress would decide…this was a “NO” …here’s why… • Too much power to the Legislative Branch • Checks and Balances would not be very balanced …Think 1787…

4. Original Plan… • After a lot of deliberation – Election by Electors was the chosen method • Electors (to the Framers) meant “most enlightened and respectable citizens from each state” (Who determines this status?) • This was an “ok” plan as long as George Washington was running for president • After his two terms, problems arose… The Electoral College has grown to be more Democratic through the years (not so elitist)

5. Original Plan… • Each of these electors would meet in their state and cast a ballot • 1st place vote getter would be President • 2nd place vote getter would be VP • Opposing Parties = TROUBLE • Potential for Ties = TROUBLE • Then along comes the 12th Amendment and a separate ballot is cast for each (1804)

6. The Problem(s) in the beginning… • Political Parties evolved • This was unplanned • The Framers were terrified of the idea • Are Political Parties good or bad?

7. Two ways to decide the representative from a party • Presidential Primary • Like a mini-presidential election (within the party) • Caucus • Indian term for a political meeting • More of an open forum (conference) for deciding a party’s representative.

8. Presidential Primaries • What is it? An election in which a party’s voters… 1) CHOOSE SOME OR ALL OF A STATE PARTY ORGANIZATION’S DELEGATES TO THE NATIONAL CONVENTION 2) EXPRESS PREFERENCE AMONG VARIOUS CONTENDERS FOR THEIR PARTY’S PRESIDENTIAL NOMINATION 3) Choose WHO FROM THEIR PARTY WILL RUN FOR PRESIDENT • Primaries vary from state to state

9. Presidential Primaries • States all compete for title “First Presidential Primary” • NEW HAMPSHIRE is always first to have a Presidential Primary. • Their law states: “Tuesday of the week before the date on which another state schedules their election.” • After N.H. it goes Michigan, Nevada, S.Carolina… • You will notice that the candidate’s campaign efforts follow this same “trail.” Known as FRONT-LOADING – (gain influence) How does this affect the later states?

10. Caucus-Convention Process • A Presidential Caucus is the alternative to Presidential Primaries • Caucus – meeting of political supporters • This the oldest method for selecting delegates • Iowa Caucus – takes place first and it is the most popular caucus (before the NH Primary) Two most important states in terms of EARLY “presidential candidate status” are: ______ and ______________…Why?

11. Likely Republican Primary Candidates • Herman Cain, businessman and radio talk show host from Georgia • Newt Gingrich, former U.S. Speaker of the House from Georgia • Jimmy McMillan, perennial candidate from New York • Tim Pawlenty, former Governor of Minnesota • Mitt Romney, former Governor of Massachusetts • Michele Bachmann, Representative from Minnesota • Rick Perry, Governor from Texas Likely Democratic Primary Candidates • BarackObama, incumbent President of the United States from Illinois • Randall Terry, pro-life activist from New York

12. Presidential Nominations • Constitution says nothing about the nomination of candidates (or political parties for that matter). • Nominations of Presidential Candidates take place at NATIONAL CONVENTIONS. • Party NOT in power has theirs first. The controlling party has theirs a few weeks later • Usually in a big city…anybody know where in 2012?

13. Who gets nominated? • Incumbent nominations are easy • Incumbent – Current holder of the office • Political Experience • Governors are big – Carter, Reagan, Clinton, W • Senators too – Obama most recently • Vice-Presidents – Bush (41) • Usually Protestants • Large States • Voter Appeal – healthy, attractive, “family-guy”

14. Four Conventions have already taken place… • April or May 2012: 2012 Constitution Party National Convention to be held in Nashville, Tennessee. • May 4–6, 2012: 2012 Libertarian National Convention to be held in Las Vegas, Nevada • August 27–30, 2012: 2012 Republican National Convention to be held in Tampa, Florida • September 3–6, 2012: 2012 Democratic National Convention to be held in Charlotte, North Carolina

16. 2012 Convention in Charlotte, NC

17. More about Conventions • Lots of speeches • Lots of Rah-Rah – Pep rally stuff • Each state sends delegates (usually based on that state’s electoral contribution) • Delegates are determined by the outcome of the primaries and caucuses • Each party has their own rules for this process

18. More about Conventions • Three goals of Conventions • Presidential and Vice Presidential Candidates • Unify the party • Adopt a “platform” • Platform - basic principles, stands on issues, and objectives that will be the topic of the campaigning

19. More about Conventions • Conventions = 4 days • DAY 1 – Welcome delegates, short speeches • DAY 2 – Party Platform introduced and keynote address (Pep Rally) • DAY 3 – Nominate the Presidential and Vice Presidential Candidate (now-a-days this is no surprise – it’s based on the Presidential Primary’s outcomes. • DAY 4 – Acceptance Speech and Launch of Campaign