Post on 13-Jan-2016
What is a Party?
Political Party- group of persons who seek to control government through the winning of elections and the holding of public office.
Major Parties-Democrats and Republicans
What do they do?
Nominate Candidates Inform and activate supporters Ensure good performance of its candidates Partisanship- strong support of policy and
party Watchdog-overlook party in “power”
Democrats
Party of Jackson Liberals Donkey The Left Blue State
Stricter gun control Pro-choice Strong anti-discrimination
laws are necessary Higher tax percentage for
higher income More government programs
to aid society Decrease military spending No death penalty Pro Gay Marriage
Republicans
Party of Lincoln Conservatives Elephant The Right Red State GOP (Grand Old
Party)
Opposes more gun legislation Pro-life Anti-discrimination is
something that should come though better education & individual conscience
Lower taxes overall benefit the economy
Less government programs, but more community programs
Strong military is important For death penalty Against Gay Marriage
http://news.yahoo.com/who-knew/political-party-symbols-where-did-the-idea-for-the-democratic-donkey-come-from-30495602.html
Sociological Trends
Lower income Manual Labor Women Younger Catholics Jews African Americans Asian Americans Mexican/Puerto Rican Native Americans Inner cities New England and West
Coast
Higher Income Professional Jobs Business Jobs College Graduates Men Older Protestants Caucasian Cuban Suburbs South and Midwest
Minor Parties
Ideological-based on a set of beliefs– Libertarian (individualism)– Communist, Socialist, etc.
Single Issue– Right to Life
Minor Parties (con.)
Economic Protest-exist when economy is in trouble– Tea Party
Splinter Parties– Bull Moose Party– Dixiecrats– Green Party
Why Minor Parties are Important
Minor Party actually started the convention concept (Anti-Masons 1831)
Spoiler Role Critic or innovator
Voter Behavior
Many choose to not vote during off-year elections
Why many do not vote– Illegal aliens– Travel or illness– Mental health facilities, jails, or religious beliefs– Feel does not make a difference
Other Factors
Inconvenient registration requirements Long ballots Long lines Time Zone fallout (polls close earlier in east
so feel no need to vote once hear results) Lack of Interest Bad Weather
Other Trends
Tend to vote as your family does Decrease in party identification More “Independents” The concept of straight-ticket voting Increase in focus on issues to influence
voting
Candidates on the 2008 AZ Ballot
OBAMA, BARACK Democrat McKINNEY, CYNTHIA Green BARR, BOB Libertarian ALLEN, JONATHAN (Write-In) BALDWIN, CHUCK (Write-In) JAY, CHARLES (Write-In) NADER, RALPH (Nomination by other than by
Primary) McCAIN, JOHN Republican
President Party Trend
Tends to be generational 1861-1932- Republican
– 2 Dems (Cleveland, Wilson)
1933-1968-Democrat– 1 Rep (Eisenhower)
1968-2008-Republican– 2 Dems (Carter, Clinton)
Now-Unknown
Swing States
States that tend to be fairly independent in elections and that could “swing” to either party in any given election or that current election year
Recent examples: FL, NV, CO, OH, MO, VA
Interest Groups
Organized effort to protect group interests Influence public policy Parties concerned with their views due to
necessity of votes
Good?
Stimulate interest in public affairs
Represent members based on shared attitudes
Provide useful, specialized, and detailed information to government
Promote political participation
Add another element to checks and balances
Compete with one another in the public arena
Bad?
Influence beyond proportion to size, importance, or contribution to public good
Hard to tell who they represent Do not represent views of people they claim
to be for Use tactics that potentially would undermine
entire political system
Types of Interest Groups
Business Groups Labor Groups Agricultural Groups Professional Groups
Groups that Promote Causes
Organizations that Promote the Welfare of Certain Groups
Religious Organizations
PACS
Political action committee (PAC)-any organization in the United States that campaigns for or against political candidates, ballot initiatives or legislation.
Federal level-receive or spend more than $1000
Citizens United v. FEC
PACs who did not give to candidates, parties, or other PACs could accept unlimited contributions from individuals, unions, and corporations (both for profit and not-for-profit) for the purpose of making independent expenditures
Result-Corporations can influence elections and have free speech like citizens
Super PACs
No $ limit Cannot coordinate directly with a candidate
or party Can support a party or candidate Can go against a party or candidate
Super PACs (con.)
Restore Our Future (Romney) Priorities USA Action (Obama) American Crossroads (Anti-Dems) Freedomworks for America (Tea Party)
– 100 individual super PAC donors in 2011–2012 made up just 3.7% of contributors, but accounted for more than 80% of the total money raised