Final answer:
In general elections, candidates typically present themselves as (c) moderate to appeal to the broadest range of voters. Yet, there has been a trend toward polarization, with Democrats and Republicans taking more ideologically extreme positions to stand out, particularly during primaries. Campaign strategies target party members, undecided voters, and include various types of media to attract support.
Step-by-step explanation:
To win the general election, candidates generally present themselves as c) moderate. This strategic positioning aims to appeal to a broader range of the electorate, including undecided voters and those not firmly aligned with either major political party. However, the situation is more complex than a simple centrist approach.
Since the 1980s, there has been increasing polarization with Democrats becoming more liberal on average and Republicans becoming more conservative. Moderate politicians who were previously key to brokering bipartisan agreements have seen their influence wane as more ideologically extreme candidates have been elected. In primary elections, the dynamic changes drastically as candidates must appeal to their party's base, composed of voters who are often more ideologically extreme than the general electorate. This is exemplified by the variety of candidates who run in primaries and the strategies they use to stand out, such as adopting extreme positions or leveraging high charisma.
In the general election, candidates often adjust their strategies to win the support of the larger general population. This means appealing to party members, yet also trying to convince undecided voters and get party voters to the polls. Campaigns utilize various tools including television, internet, and advertisements funded by early campaign contributions and super PACs to create emotional connections and articulate their policy positions to the electorate.