U. S. CAMPAIGNS AND ELECTIONS
I. Basic Purposes
A. Provide for Governmental Responsibility
B. Influence Public Policy
C. Select Public Officials
D. Legitimize the Political System
II. Types of Elections
A. Candidate selection and Recall
B. Issue voting
1. initiatives
2. referenda
III. Campaigning
A. Three Stages
1. deciding to run
2. obtaining the nomination
3. winning the general elections
B. Strategies and Tactics
1. ascertaining chances of victory
2. acquiring needed resources
3. developing campaign themes
4. building a campaign organization
5. monitoring progress and adjusting tactics
C. Campaign Finance
1. sources of revenue
a. self
b. party
d. Political Action Committees
e. Federal Campaign Reform Legislation - A Short History)
f. 2002 Campaign Finance Reform (527's - description #2 - top contributors)
g. Public Funding -- Presidential Elections
D. Presidential Elections
1. predeclaration stage
2. preconvention stage
3. postconvention stage
a. popular vote (2008)
b. Why Have an Electoral College (Federalist #68)
d. Electoral College Vote (2008)
e. The Electoral College: A Defense
Key Websites
Presidential Elections: 1789 - 2004 (also see President Elect)
American National Election Studies
The Center for Media and Public Affairs
Campaigns and Elections On Line
History Central: Presidential Elections
The Campaign Finance Institute
Open Secrets: Money in U.S. Presidential Elections
Supreme Court Cases: Campaign Finance Laws
Unofficial Electoral College Home Page
Don't End Run the Constitution