Analyze the strategy that a candidate might use when running for president in the general election. What should their first goal be?
A. to choose the correct states in which to campaign during the general election
B. to win their party's nomination at the national convention
C. to become a delegate to the national convention
D. to choose a good running mate
When running for president in a general election, the first goal for a candidate should effectively be:
B. to win their party's nomination at the national convention
The process of running for the presidency involves several steps, and winning the party's nomination is crucial because a candidate cannot proceed to the general election if they are not the official nominee represented by their political party. Only after securing the nomination can a candidate focus on the other strategic elements.
Here's what the other options represent in the election process context and why they are not the first goal:
A. To choose the correct states in which to campaign during the general election - This is a crucial strategy for after a candidate has won the nomination. It involves targeting swing states or battleground states that could go to either major political party and ensuring a good presence in states with a large number of electoral votes. However, this is not the first goal in the presidential race.
C. To become a delegate to the national convention - This is not applicable to the candidate themselves. Delegates are party members chosen to represent their local constituents at the national convention, and they are the ones who vote to nominate a candidate from the pool of those competing within the party's primaries and caucuses.
D. To choose a good running mate - Selecting a vice-presidential candidate is important, but this typically happens after winning the party's nomination. A running mate is often chosen to balance the ticket, appealing to different demographics or regions than the presidential candidate does. However, this is not the first step in the election process.
Once a candidate secures the nomination, all the subsequent strategies, including choosing a running mate, targeting key states, and refining campaign messaging, are focused on winning the electoral college vote in the general election.