Campaign Management

Managing a campaign requires an extensive amount of time. Typical campaigns require contacting voters, holding events, raising money, and trying to win elections.

There are TWO main stages within the campaign process:

1. Nomination of Candidates: this can take place after multiple individuals within the same party hold debates with one another and gain overall support from the party.

2. Election: parties will unite around their individuals to win against opposition. Various events coincide with this stage including political rallies, fundraisers, canvassing, passing out campaign items.

Who doesn't love spending money?

One of the important roles of political parties is fundraising, because ultimately votes cost money.

There are various laws that have enacted legislation to supervise campaign spending. The Federal Election Commission (FEC) monitors how much money is being donated to political parties and enforces limits. Parties must register once they have received $1,000 (which in an election is pocket change.)

If a party decides to conduct an activity that supports an election within 120 days, they must go through the process of following federal regulations.

In order for an individual to reach as many people as possible, they have to be able to use the media appropriately.

The average American spends over 3 hours daily using the television. Candidates have had to learn how to effectively use the television for their benefit through the use of news segments & commercials.

A candidate may send out a press release which is at no cost to them in order to receive coverage on the news.

A candidate may use a commercial but typically commercials cost excess amounts of money and this requires the campaign to use fundraising platforms to cover the costs.

Media is HUGE. One of the most discussed elections impacted by media was the 1960 election between JFK and Nixon. Nixon was televised as sweaty while JFK was seen as charismatic and youthful. Those who heard the debate between the two men on the radio were more likely to vote for Nixon but those who watched on television voted for JFK. Why? Because in this case appearances mattered.

The 2016 election was no different, Hillary Clinton attempted to appeal to voters through her attire, something which was often criticized. PANT SUITS. There were also videos of Trump's sniffling throughout the campaign.

We are now also entering an era of social media within the political realm. Barack Obama is often cited as the first presidential candidate to use social media to his advantage as seen through his appeals for Hope and Change. Donald Trump has extended this use. Social media allows for people to connect with their politicians and politicians can easily permit unlimited sharing of their ideas or opinions.