State and Local Elections
I. Old Style Campaigns
A. Person-to-Person
B. Candidates Represent Parties
C. Incumbents of Majority Party Held Responsible
II. New Politics
A. Candidate Centered
B. Money Dependent
C. Media/Image Oriented
D. Diminished Party Responsibility
E. Election Context Driven
F. Candidate Organization
G. Early Voting critique)
III. Campaign Structure
A. Pollsters (Presidential Candidates)
B. Media Consultants (background)
C. Fund-Raisers
D. Scheduling
E. Press Relations
F. Party Liaisons
G. Field Organizations
IV. Incumbent Advantages (Dollars and Cents re incumbency)
A. Top Races
B. Name Recognition
C. Campaign Experience/Organization
D. Poor Quality of Challengers
V. Issue Based Elections (Colorado - 2008 & NCSL Update)
Key Web Sites
Initiative and Referendum Institute
State Political Party Contact Information
Current State and Local Elections
Moneyline: Elections and Money