Campaigns & Elections

Elections and campaigns are fundamental to democracy. They help elect representatives and determine referendum outcomes. However, they have become lengthier and more expensive, fueling calls for reform.

Moreover, campaigns allow candidates and political parties to convey their positions to citizens. As a result, they enlighten voters and enable them to make informed choices on election day.

Issues

Many people who work on political campaigns develop a wide assortment of skills in an extremely fast-paced environment. Some find that this experience leads to government employment down the road.

There are also negative issues that candidates must deal with, particularly if they have a troubled past – such as an arrest for DUI, bankruptcy, or a failed marriage. These negatives, which consultants refer to as a candidate’s baggage, must be dealt with carefully by the campaign team.

Campaigns generate large amounts of paperwork – legal documents and contracts, for example – that must be reviewed by lawyers. They often produce employment disputes and tort claims, just like any business. They may also be subject to complex ballot access laws, which include fees and signature requirements from certain populations and/or specific dates. In addition, these laws place restrictions on how and when a candidate can communicate with voters. This requires careful management of resources and staff.

Campaigns

A political campaign is a series of activities that help a candidate or party win votes in an election. A candidate or party may host events and put out informational materials like posters, pamphlets and stickers in order to entice supporters and undecided voters to vote for them.

During elections, candidates or parties must comply with laws regarding ballot access (fees, signature requirements and deadlines) and election finance. Lawyers review these laws and ensure that all communications with the public are in compliance.

While many investigations of campaign effects are agnostic about whether or not they influence individual voters, it is important to note that several generations of research confirm that elections do matter. Whether this is due to direct campaign effects or indirect effects, it is clear that elections are necessary for democratic participation and effective governance.

Elections

As a major component of democratic politics, elections provide citizens with opportunities to convey their positions on issues and compete for public office. Election campaigns, the activities undertaken by contestants to convey their positions, often involve the allocation of public resources such as media space or time (considered indirect public campaign funding).

While there is considerable debate over how much individual campaign events and activities affect vote intentions, most scholars agree that they do matter. The most prominent examples of such effects are the party conventions and presidential debates, which disrupt the equilibrium distribution of votes and tend to have a more robust impact than other campaign events.

Even so, such effects typically decay quickly and the fundamentals of candidate choice are generally more important in determining electoral outcomes. Campaigns also enlighten citizens about candidates’ issue positions, qualifications, competence, and character, which may be especially relevant in situations where voters begin with little or no knowledge of the contestants.

Funding

The availability of financial resources is a key factor in the success of electoral contestants. These resources may consist of financial donations from private individuals, free or discounted materials and services (“in-kind” contributions) or coercive resources (e.g. police or other law enforcement institutions that may be used to intimidate, obstruct, or prohibit the campaign of opposition candidates).

Countries have different systems for financing electoral campaigns, including limits on contributions and expenditures as well as rules for reporting and disclosure of information and ways of monitoring and sanctioning compliance with regulations. Some systems also include provisions for public funding, such as through matching funds programs or clean elections programs.

In general, proponents of these schemes claim that they decrease corruption and enhance civic participation and faith in the political system. However, if the amount of public funding is too large or if it becomes the dominant source of funding, there is a risk that electoral contestants will lose contact with their voters and become too dependent on centralized financing.

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Basketball, a sport that captures the imagination and the hearts of millions, thrives at its pinnacle within the NBA. In the land where giants roam the hardwood floors, the National Basketball Association exemplifies the epitome of sportsmanship, talent, and theatrical display of human athleticism. It’s a place where stories of legends are crafted, where each game is not just a match but a chapter of an ongoing saga.

As the sport’s popularity skyrockets globally, enthusiasts seek the most convenient ways to witness the giants clash in real-time. Herein lies the significance of NBA중계, which translates to NBA broadcasting. Across continents, oceans away from the courts where history is made, fans are brought closer to the sweat, the hustle, and the adrenaline-pumping action through live NBA transmissions. Thanks to the marvel of modern technology, one doesn’t need to be physically present courtside to experience the pulsating energy of a live game.

When you tune into a live NBA game, it’s more than just watching a sport. It’s about being part of a larger community, engaging in a collective experience shared by fans worldwide. The vivid commentary, the close-up replays, the strategic time-outs: all of these elements create a narrative that’s as gripping as any blockbuster movie.

Imagine you’re watching your favorite team on the edge of your seat as the seconds on the shot clock tick down. The player with the ball fakes left, goes right, elevates, and releases the ball with the perfect backspin. It sails through the air, the crowd holds its breath, and as it swishes through the net, fans erupt. This is the magic that NBA중계 brings into living rooms and bars, onto smartphones, and computer screens across the globe.

Why live broadcasts are essential to capturing the full excitement of an NBA game cannot be explained in a few sentences. It’s about real-time reactions, the ability to witness history in the making, and feeling connected to every pivot, pass, and dunk. For fans that follow the games through NBA중계, it offers a lifeline to the sport they adore, a digital bridge connecting diverse cultures and distances through a shared love of the game.

As we wrap up, it’s evident that the impact of live NBA broadcasting is profound. It’s not just about keeping score; it’s about keeping spirits high and hopes alive, about sharing moments of awe-inspiring athleticism and tactical genius that define the essence of basketball. It reaffirms that, although you might be miles away, you’re still part of the drama, the victory dances, and the heartbreaks.

FAQs:

Q1: Why is live NBA broadcasting important for fans?
A1: Live NBA broadcasting is important for fans as it allows them to experience the game in real-time, creating a sense of connection to the sport, the players, and other fans around the world.

Q2: How does NBA중계 enhance the viewer’s experience?
A2: NBA중계 enhances the viewer’s experience by providing live commentary, instant replays, and access to games that they may not be able to attend in person, bringing the intensity and excitement of the game to their screens.

Q3: Can international fans access NBA중계?
A3: Yes, international fans can access NBA중계 through various broadcasting services that offer NBA games in different regions and languages.

Q4: Is it possible to watch live NBA games on mobile devices?
A4: Yes, many live NBA broadcasting services are available on mobile devices, allowing fans to watch games on the go through their smartphones or tablets.

Q5: What impact has technology had on NBA중계?
A5: Technology has significantly impacted NBA중계 by improving the quality of broadcasts with high-definition video, multiple camera angles, and interactive features that enhance the fan’s viewing experience.

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The Election Campaign 1980

The election campaign of 1980 was dominated by economic concerns, including double-digit inflation and rising unemployment. Foreign policy issues also figured prominently, particularly the Iran hostage crisis and the Cold War with the Soviet Union.

Reagan attacked Carter over the communist threat and “big government,” but he never clearly spelled out his remedies for these problems beyond calling for massive cuts in taxes.

The Iran hostage crisis

A trove of new research by Gary Sick, a former Carter administration national security aide, and the PBS documentary Frontline has raised the possibility that officials in Ronald Reagan’s campaign, including future CIA director William Casey, made a deal with Iran to delay the release of the American hostages until after the election. In return, the United States reportedly promised to ship arms to Iran.

By the end of October, with television newscasts replaying images of screaming, anti-American mobs at the embassy, public confidence in Jimmy Carter had plummeted. The dragged-out negotiations over the hostages’ fate did not help.

In late February or early March 1980, Casey, who died in office as Reagan’s intelligence chief, met in Washington with Iranian ambassador Sadegh Tabatabai to discuss a secret deal. The outlines of the agreement were clear, but there was an urgent need to speed up the process. For that, Iran demanded financial assets that had been frozen by the United States.

The Cold War with the Soviet Union

Following World War II, the uncomfortable wartime alliance between the United States and the Soviet Union began to unravel. The Soviets had set up communist-leaning governments in Eastern European nations that they liberated from Nazi Germany, and Americans were concerned about the potential spread of Soviet authoritarianism globally.

To counter this growing threat, the Reagan campaign sought to reshape American foreign policy. He made clear that he would work to promote reforms in the Soviet Union that were designed to reduce their economic might and undermine the moral legitimacy of Marxism-Leninism.

The files found in this collection reflect a variety of campaign operations related to the 1980 general election. They include memos, correspondence and reports. Of particular interest are the folders pertaining to voters groups. These files were found in the file of William Timmons, who served as director of campaign operations for the Republican National Committee. Among other things, Timmons arranged scheduling for citizens and voter groups.

The resurgence of the New Right

Amid double-digit inflation and rising unemployment, many Americans were searching for new political solutions. Liberal government programs seemed out of touch with the economic problems of working- and middle-class families. Racial issues such as affirmative action, busing, and court-ordered desegregation alienated white southerners from Democratic party leadership.

The rise of the New Right impacted election campaign 1980 in a variety of ways. The movement blamed liberalism for many of America’s ills and promoted themes such as deunionisation legislation, racial scapegoating, violent anti-communist witchhunts, and attacks on Jews, Catholics, and immigrants.

The resurgence of the New Right gave Reagan’s Republican opponents ample ammunition to use against him in the presidential campaign. They attacked his alleged inexperience and incompetence and highlighted his aversion to tax increases. They also criticized his lack of a plan to deal with rising inflation, rising unemployment, and the crisis in Iran. They pointed out his reliance on “voodoo economics” and accused him of favoring business interests over working families.

The rise of Walter Mondale

During the 1980 election campaign, Walter Mondale helped define what became known as “stagflation.” Rising unemployment and inflation threatened liberal dreams of creating an era of shared prosperity that would lift everyone up.

Mondale, who was born to a Methodist minister and served two years in the Army, attended Macalester College before transferring to the University of Minnesota. He worked on political campaigns for Hubert Humphrey and Orville Freeman before becoming a lawyer.

In 1966, Mondale won a seat in the Senate representing Minnesota and became a favorite of Democratic voters. He was a frontrunner for the party’s 1984 presidential nomination and made history by choosing New York congresswoman Geraldine Ferraro as his running mate.

Although he lost to Ronald Reagan, Mondale’s spirited run illustrated a different style of liberalism that was based on tempered expectations for what government could actually deliver. He also transformed the role of vice president from a punchline into a real governing partnership with the president.

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How Election Campaign Ads Can Hurt a Candidate’s Campaign

There are 435 members of the House of Representatives; 100 senators; dozens of state governors, auditors, treasurers and attorneys general; and thousands of city councilmembers, mayors and other local elected officials. Each requires an election campaign to raise funds, recruit volunteers and get voters out to the polls.

Ads play a critical role in campaigns. But political ads do not always influence who people vote for.

Issues

When political ads make false claims about a competitor’s record or character, it can hurt a candidate’s campaign. However, the government has little leeway to penalize commercial speech because it is protected by the First Amendment. Instead, it regulates political advertising by requiring disclosure of funding and limiting the number of ad spots on TV and radio. Online advertising is less regulated, and researchers have found that some use manipulative techniques. For example, ads that appear on news websites often feature politicians in sensationalist headlines and are more likely to be viewed on right-leaning sites.

Research has found that partisan television campaign advertising influences voter decisions by changing the balance of considerations, altering attitudes, and mobilizing voters. The effect is stronger in down-ballot elections than in presidential elections because voters are less familiar with the candidates running for them and have fewer strong opinions about them. This imbalance explains why the effects of a single ad airing are much larger in gubernatorial and U.S. House and Senate elections than in presidential elections.

Campaigns

The political ads we see in the media are designed to influence the political debate and, ultimately, voters. These ads can be positive or negative and are often crafted by professional political consultants. The advertisements are broadcast in various types of media, including television, radio, and the internet.

Researchers examined ads from campaigns that aired on local, cable and satellite stations. They categorized the ads by who was paying for them, which candidates or organizations they were targeting and their content. They found that ads that portrayed the candidate in an appealing way, emphasized their accomplishments or praised their character increased voter turnout. Negative ads, however, had the opposite effect.

The team also looked at online political ads, which are splashed across news websites and can manipulate Web surfers’ views of politicians by posing as polls or using sensationalist headlines. They found that these were more likely to appear on conservative news sites. However, they did not find that these types of ads influenced the outcome of elections.

Defamation

Defamation laws in the United States offer some leeway for political attacks, but they still come with risks. When a candidate says something false about an opponent, the claim can lead to a defamation lawsuit.

Mudslinging is a standard part of political campaigns, and the constitutionally-protected bounds of free speech are tested constantly in campaign ads and other messaging. For example, a 2012 Democratic ad depicted Republican U.S. Senate candidate Scott Brown telling hospitals to turn raped women away, which was untrue.

A private figure can sue for defamation, but they must prove “actual malice,” meaning a reasonable person would have known it was not true or acted with reckless disregard of whether it was true. This is a tough standard for a plaintiff to meet, and it means political statements that are clearly opinions are more likely to slip into the realm of unlawful defamation. Nevertheless, there is a line, and campaigns should pre-screen their advertising and messaging before submitting it to the media.

Libel

In the United States, political attack ads are exempt from libel laws that govern other forms of advertising. That makes sense, because it would be impractical for public figures to pursue a lawsuit against someone who libels them. They’d have to devote precious resources that could be better spent elsewhere.

Moreover, Supreme Court rulings make it extremely difficult for politicians to win a libel suit against a rival. They must prove that the defamatory statement was made with actual malice — a high standard that many politicians can’t meet.

For this reason, organizations that produce advertising connected to politics must consider the possibility of a false advertisement lawsuit as part of their planning process. Some states have passed legislation calling for fact-checking in election campaign advertisements, but it is unclear whether that will be enough to protect citizens from misinformation in this area. The Church Law Center can help you address this risk. The more information available to voters, the more they can judge the validity of an ad’s claims.

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Election Advertising Examples

With so many messages competing for voters’ attention, it’s important to create an ad that is informative and memorable. One way to do this is by using storytelling.

In this lesson, students will watch two contemporary election ads and then complete the Evaluating Political Ads worksheet. They will then compare and contrast the persuasion techniques used in each ad.

1. Charles Booker

During presidential elections, voters are often bombarded with campaign ads. Some commercials paint candidates in glowing terms, highlighting their impressive accomplishments and sterling character. Others, called attack ads, criticize the opponent’s record or character and argue that they would be a terrible president.

Unlike other types of advertising, political ads must include certain disclosures based on the format of the ad (television requires a voiceover, while print pieces require written disclosures). These requirements help protect the public from deceptive claims and partisan attacks.

Despite its modest production budget, this Charles Booker ad is effective because it uses simple footage to tell a compelling story about his dedication to the community. It also contrasts the ideals of his Democratic primary opponent, Amy McGrath, with his own in an effort to inspire audience members to support his candidacy. It is also notable for employing the emotion of anger in order to motivate audiences to act.

2. Senator Markey

In a typical day, most people see more than 500 advertisements, but how many of those do they remember?

In his ad, Markey tells his own story and demonstrates how he can relate to everyday citizens. The ad also includes endorsements from other influential politicians like President Obama and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez to add credibility to the campaign. It even features a subtle attack on his opponent by cheekily referencing a famous line from his great-uncle, President John F. Kennedy.

The ad was a major hit online and helped propel Markey to victory in the primary against his younger opponent from the Kennedy family. It’s a classic example of using different persuasion techniques to appeal to voters.

3. Richard Nixon

Although this commercial ran only once (during a Monday Night at the Movies broadcast on September 7, 1964), it is considered by some to be one of the most influential election ads in history. It painted Republican candidate Barry Goldwater as a reckless right-wing extremist who would start a nuclear war. This scare tactic, which worked, helped Johnson defeat Goldwater and become the first President to win a second term since Lyndon B. Johnson in 1960.

Seeking reelection in 1988 against Democratic challenger Walter Mondale, George H.W. Bush used this ad to portray his opponent as a flip-flopper who would change positions depending on the political winds. Its use of toy figurines of airplanes, ships and military members was particularly effective. The ad did help Bush beat Mondale and secure the presidency. His presidency saw a number of accomplishments, including reducing tensions with China and the Soviet Union through negotiations led by his Secretary of State Henry Kissinger, as well as reaching an agreement with North Viet Nam that ended American involvement in that country.

4. Ronald Reagan

Reagan used his star power and political skills to great effect in his ad campaign. His ads were often powerful and emotional, and his messages shook many voters’ faith in the Democratic Party.

“Morning in America,” also known as “Prouder, Stronger, Better,” was written and narrated by ad executive Hal Riney, who worked on Reagan’s other successful ads. The ad starts with a scene of busy city streets and then moves to a montage of American workers going to work. Riney’s melodious voice emphasized the growth of jobs and American wealth, contrasted with a growing number of unemployed people in cities across the nation during the Carter years.

Beatty cites other trends he’s noticed in election advertising, including click-bait news articles that mention prominent politicians with sensationalist headlines but contain little substantial information. He also mentions a proliferation of political ads from so-called PACs, which are not affiliated with candidates’ official campaigns. Finally, he describes a sloppy mistake in one Kansas GOP treasurer candidate’s ad, which included Tiger Woods’ arrest in a montage about crime.

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Election Campaign Techniques – Using Social Media to Get Out the Vote

Despite the proliferation of new digital tools, face to face conversations remain the best way to turn out voters. This is especially true when social norms are involved, like when volunteers threaten to publicly expose voting slackers.

Using specific language that increases voter GOTV has been proven to be highly effective in these conversations. Moreover, it is much more cost-effective than other methods.

Canvassing

Unlike other campaign tools, such as direct mail and email, canvassing allows candidates to identify and persuade potential voters directly. It also allows campaigns to track voter engagement with specific issues and to measure the effectiveness of their messaging.

A good canvassing strategy includes using an introductory video or in-person training session to get volunteers excited about the opportunity to participate in the election campaign. During this training, volunteers will be given a list of specific questions and persuasive messaging to deliver. They will then be paired with another volunteer and sent out into the field to talk to voters.

During a canvassing session, volunteers will visit homes and ask residents how they plan to vote on Election Day. They will also ask if the resident supports the candidate and encourage them to help out in other ways, such as by taking a lawn sign or volunteering. They will also give out campaign literature. During the canvassing process, it is important to be respectful of voters and avoid defacing their yard signs.

Phone Banking

Phone banking involves volunteers calling lists of voters to further a campaign’s goals. This might be supporter identification, fundraising, event recruitment, or getting out the vote (GOTV).

Traditionally, activists would gather in campaign headquarters and blast through a list of voter contacts using a call script. This can get monotonous and inefficient. It also requires a lot of paper and manual data entry.

Fortunately, new technology is transforming this strategy. Instead of gathering in campaign offices, activists can make calls through browser dialers from their home computers. They can be assigned a list of contacts and then log their responses using drop-down answers. In addition to reducing the need for paper, this allows campaigns to be far more targeted and efficient. For example, a campaign might choose to focus on mobilizing likely or identified supporters and skip persuading voters who are unlikely to vote. Moreover, they can segment their data by neighborhoods or districts. Then, they can assign local volunteers to those neighborhoods and make calls more personal.

Texting

Many voters and constituents feel they only hear from political parties and elected officials when it is election time. SMS messaging allows political campaigns to maintain ongoing communications with constituents, including a monthly message on each person’s birthday. These ongoing messages can help to strengthen name ID and a positive relationship between the candidate and the voter.

SMS messages can also remind voters about the location of their polling station and important voting dates and deadlines. This direct communication can help to increase voter turnout by ensuring that voters have all the information they need to cast their votes. It is important to limit the number of texts sent, however, as too many messages can be seen as intrusive and annoying by voters. Talk to your texting vendor about how many messages are appropriate for your campaign. They should be able to help you develop a plan that works for your organization and goals.

Email

Whether it’s a simple text or a more complex email marketing campaign, your emails are important for connecting with voters. By capturing data and communicating your values, you can increase your chance of winning the vote.

Establish a clear path to victory by identifying the number of voters that need to support your candidacy or can be persuaded. Based on that universe, focus your campaign messaging and efforts to mobilize those voters.

To identify your target audience, draw a graph in which entities with a stake in your issue are represented as circles (nodes), and lines between them represent relationships. Circle the nodes that most represent the problem you seek to address and identify stakeholders who are most likely to support your campaign. These are your participant groups and may include partisans, community leaders, etc. You can then use these groups to guide your strategy and tactics. Also, consider the seventh principle of strategy: surprise (Sweitzer 1996). Using this technique can catch the incumbent off guard and put them on edge.

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