In a general election, candidates will typically adjust their messages to
A.
target as broad a voting base as possible.
B.
highlight their distinctiveness within the party.
C.
challenge their party’s organizational structure.
D.
focus on the most energized voters in the base.
In the primaries you want to gather energized voter but in the final you need a majority of all the people (ignoring the electoral college complication)
A. target as broad a voting base as possible.
To determine the correct answer, we need to understand the behavior of candidates during a general election. In a general election, candidates aim to attract as many voters as possible to secure their victory. They do this by adjusting their messages to appeal to different voter groups, based on their demographics, interests, and political leanings.
Option A states that candidates will target as broad a voting base as possible. This aligns with the goal of attracting a wide range of voters, as mentioned earlier. By targeting a broad voting base, candidates increase their chances of gaining support from various demographics and ultimately winning the election.
Option B suggests that candidates will highlight their distinctiveness within the party. While candidates may emphasize their unique qualities and positions on certain issues, this is usually done during primary elections rather than in general elections. During the general election, candidates usually focus on appealing to a broad base rather than highlighting their differences within their party.
Option C proposes that candidates will challenge their party's organizational structure. While candidates may have differences with their party's organizational structure, it is uncommon for them to openly challenge it during a general election. Doing so might alienate party members and negatively impact their chances of winning the election.
Option D states that candidates will focus on the most energized voters in the base. While energized voters can be crucial for a campaign, candidates typically aim to reach a broader range of voters in a general election. Focusing solely on energized voters might exclude certain demographics and limit their chances of winning the election.
Based on this analysis, the answer is A. Candidates in a general election will typically adjust their messages to target as broad a voting base as possible.