Political Science 1100, Introduction to American Politics, March 6, 2013
Exam 2: Monday March 11. Please be here by 9:30
We will go over the Jillson book at the end of class
Current Events
Presidential Elections
WINNING THE PRESIDENCY
You have to win two games: the nomination, and the general election
These games have two different sets of
rules
A. To Win The Nomination,
You Have To Win A Majority of The Delegates
To The Party's Nomination Convention in the Summer before the general election
B. To win the General Election, you have to win 270 electoral votes
What are electoral votes?
How are a state's electoral votes determined?
How do you win a state's electoral votes?
Can you win a majority of the popular vote and lose the election?
Who are the electors?
The 2012 General Election
Interest Groups
1.
How Groups Influence Politics
a. Inside Lobbying: Providing Information for Making Policy
b. To Provide Information, Groups Must Have Access To Policy Makers
c. Outside Lobbying: Grassroots Advocacy
d. Litigation: Going to Court
e. Electoral Support
PACs (Political Action Committees)
Super PACS
2. Political Consequences Of Interest Groups
a. There Is A Temptation For Political Leaders
To Trade Policy for
Interest Group Support
b. Private Benefits
Tend To Crowd Out The Public Interest
The Media
1. "Megamedia:" The Media Business
2. Media Biases
A.
Hype: Grabbing your attention
B.
Brief Stories
C.
Political Bias? Just Cynicism
The Media Shape The Public Agenda