Federalism & Public Opinion I. IntroII. Federalism

A. What/why?III. Constitutional basis

for…?A. Strong National

GovernmentB. States RightsC. State/State Relations

IV. 20th CenturyA. New DealB. Elections

V. Survey Results

Key Terms• “Necessary &

Proper”• Supremacy Clause• 10th Amendment• “Full faith & credit” • FDR• Exit Polls

Federalism

• Governmental power is divided between a national government and state/local governments

Montana (1990s)

Federalism

WADC Michigan(Lansing)

Hamlin Township

The US Congress has the power “To make all laws which shall be necessary and proper” to carry out its functions.

Necessary and Proper Clause

A Strong National Government

Supremacy Clause

Laws or treaties made by the United States, “shall be the supreme Law of the Land…”

A Strong National Government

State’s Rights

• All governmental power is reserved for the states except for the powers granted to the national government.

10th Amendment (Reserved Clause)

Full Faith & Credit Clause

State To State Relations

Meaning: States must respect the public acts & records of other states.

“Full faith and credit shall be given in each state to the public acts, records, and judicial proceedings of every other state…”

Full Faith & Credit Clause(In Action)

Meaning: States must respect the public acts & records of other states.

• Examples:– Birth Certificates,

Driver’s Licenses, Arrest Warrants, and….

June 19, 1993

Do you believe homosexuals should be allowed to legally marry?

Should be allowed to marry 50%Undecided 16.7%Should not be allowed to marry 33.3%

Source: 9/10 Student Survey at WSCC

Do you believe sexual intercourse between consenting adult homosexuals should be legal?

Should be legal 51.6%

Undecided 23%

Should not be legal 24.6%

Source: 9/10 Student Survey at WSCC

Do you believe sexual intercourse between consenting adult heterosexuals who are unmarried should be legal?

Should be legal 65.9%

Undecided 15.9%

Should not be legal 18.3%

Source: 9/10 Student Survey at WSCC

Opinions of College Freshmen

Abortion should be legal:

WSCC Students who agree: 35.7%

College Freshman who agree:

Source: 2005 student survey and WSCC Student Survey 9/10

55%

Comparing Views on Abortion

Source: WSCC Student Survey 9/10

Abortion should be a legal option...

If a woman’s health is in danger:

WSCC: Support: 61.1% Undecided: 21.4% Opposed: 17.5%

Comparing Views on Abortion

Source: WSCC Student Survey 9/10

Abortion should be a legal option...

If a woman became pregnant as a result of rape:

WSCC: Support: 69.8% Undecided: 11.9% Opposed: 18.3%

Comparing Views on Abortion

Source: WSCC Student Survey 9/10

Abortion should be a legal option...If a family has a low income and cannot afford more children:

WSCC: Support: 27.8% Undecided: 16.7% Opposed: 55.6%

Comparing Views on Abortion

Source: WSCC Student Survey 9/10

Abortion should be a legal option...

If there is a chance of serious defect in the baby:

WSCC: Support: 42.1% Undecided: 23% Opposed: 33.3%

Comparing Views on Abortion

Source: WSCC Student Survey 9/10

Abortion should be a legal option...

If a woman is married but does not want the child:

WSCC: Support: 18.3% Undecided: 11.1% Opposed: 68.3%

WSCC Student Views on Abortion

Abortion should be a legal option...

Condition Support Undecided Opposed

Mom’s health 61.1% 21.4% 17.7%

Rape 68.9% 11.9% 18.3%

No $ 27.8% 16.7% 55.6%

Baby’s Health 42.1% 23% 33.3%

No more kids 18.3% 11.1% 68.3%

Source: WSCC Student Survey 9/10

The National Government today does much more

than 100 years ago

The New Deal

Franklin D. Roosevelt(1933-1945)

FDR-

Works Progress Administration (WPA)(1935)

1. An “Umbrella Agency” employing over 8 million workers.

2. 125,000 buildings were constructed; money was allocated for the “arts.”

Guidebook to encourage tourism

Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC)(1933)

• Put men to work & helped the environment.

• Programs: planted trees, built campgrounds, hiking trails, etc.

Military-style Organization

Elections

• The National Government sets standards, but states have the most control over elections.

Hanging “Chad” In Florida

Looking for hanging chad

Florida’s 2000 “Butterfly Ballot”

The “Butterfly Ballot”

Therese LaPore (D) Designed the Ballot

2000 Election Results (Palm Beach County)

Bush won Florida by 537 votes• Going back, they discovered:– 5,330 voted for Gore & Buchanan– 1,631 voted for Bush & Buchanan– 2,908 voted for Gore & Socialist candidate (just

below Gore’s name)– 3,407 voted for Buchanan

Do you support the legalization of marijuana?

Support 48.4%Undecided 17.5%Opposed 34.1%

Source: 9/10 Student Survey at WSCC

Do you think English should be the official language of the United States?

Support 84.9%

Undecided 5.6%

Opposed 9.5%

Source: 9/10 Student Survey at WSCC

WSCC Student Views

Source: WSCC Student Survey 9/10

Do you support the death penalty?

Support: 65.1% Undecided: 15.9% Opposed: 18.3%

National health care is needed to cover everyone’s health care costs.

I agree with this statement: 49.2%

I am undecided 24.6%

I disagree with this statement: 23%

Source: 9/10 Student Survey at WSCC

Public Opinion & Elections

• Voters are polled after voting on election day to:– predict the election’s winner early– Understand voters’ decisions– Gage/predict future elections

Exit Polls

2008 Exit Poll Results(Race)

Category Obama McCain % Total

White 43 55 74

Black 95 4 13

Hispanic 66 32 8

Asian 61 35 2

Other 65 31 3

2008 Exit Poll Results(Sex)

Category Obama McCain % Total

Male 49 48 47

Female 56 43 53

2008 Exit Poll Results (How often do you attend religious services?)

Category Obama McCain % Total

Weekly 43 55 40

Occasionally 57 42 42

Never 67 30 16

2008 Exit Poll Results(Population)

Category Obama McCain % Total

City: 50,000 or more

63 35 30

Suburbs 50 48 50

Rural or small city

45 53 21

2008 Exit Poll Results (Family Income)

Category Obama McCain % Total

Under $50,000 60 38 38

$50-99,000 49 49 36

$100,000 + 49 50 26

2008 Exit Poll Results(Age)

Category Obama McCain % Total

18-29 66 32 18

30-44 52 46 29

45-64 49 49 37

65+ 45 53 16

Federalism & Public Opinion I. IntroII. Federalism

A. What/why?III. Constitutional basis

for…?A. Strong National

GovernmentB. States RightsC. State/State Relations

IV. 20th CenturyA. New DealB. Elections

V. Survey Results

Key Terms• “Necessary &

Proper”• Supremacy Clause• 10th Amendment• “Full faith & credit” • FDR• Exit Polls