Dr. Tabakian’s Political Science 1 US Government – Summer 2014

Power Point #9

COURSE LECTURE TOPICS

• Interest Groups Protecting Elite Values • Lobbyists And The Power They Possess • Political Action Committees (PACs) • Public Interest Groups • Single Interest Groups

• Pro-Life Versus Pro-Choice • Presidential Power • Campaign Rhetoric

DEFENDERS OF THE STATUS QUO

Interest Groups Protect Established Elite Values. 1. Organized interests favor upper classes. 2. Organized interests favor conservative strategies of influence. 3. Single-issue groups are more representative of their members

than traditional interest groups.

Lobbyists are Government Elites. 1. Lobbyists’ greatest success is in campaign contributions. 2. PACs originate one-third of all campaign contributions.

POLITICAL MESSAGE EXAMPLE

Political hit pieces do not only focus on candidates. They can also be utilized for all types of messages whether they are political in nature or not. This ad focuses on two issues: anthrax and liberal activists. Can you identify the targets of this ad?

ANTHRAX THE INVISIBLE VICTIM

POLITICAL MESSAGE EXAMPLE

The 911 terrorist attacks helped spark a swarm of political ads and cartoons that strived to influence public opinion. These cartoons focus on Osama Bin Laden and the fallacy of his agenda.

POLITICAL MESSAGE EXAMPLE

POLITICAL MESSAGE EXAMPLE

THE PRESIDENCY

The Power of a President lies in his ability to provide means for chosen ends. 1. He facilitates elite interaction with those who seek consensus

with each other. 2. He governs only within the boundaries of elite consensus.

Presidential power is symbolic, attracting mass attention and emotion.

Presidential power is multiplied when he uses formal powers. 1. Commander in Chief (war-making) powers can commit the nation to war. 2. Vietnam showed congressional support for commitment. 3. Presidential non-compliance with the War Powers Act showed refusal to follow congressional consent requirements.

SINGLE INTEREST GROUPS PRO-LIFE MOVEMENT

Single Interest Groups (SIGs) are smaller, but more efficient than Public Interest Groups (PIGs). SIGs are effective, because their members are very committed to the cause. They commit themselves to a cause that is very ideological. These individuals tend to favor ideological based voting rather than security or economic issues of concern. The majority of American voters cast votes according to security or economic concerns. Enjoy this video detailing the Pro-Life Movement.

SINGLE INTEREST GROUPS PRO-LIFE MOVEMENT

SINGLE INTEREST GROUPS PRO-CHOICE MOVEMENT

Single Interest Groups (SIGs) are smaller, but more efficient than Public Interest Groups (PIGs). SIGs are effective, because their members are very committed to the cause. They commit themselves to a cause that is very ideological. These individuals tend to favor ideological based voting rather than security or economic issues of concern. The majority of American voters cast votes according to security or economic concerns. Enjoy this video detailing the Pro-Choice Movement.

SINGLE INTEREST GROUPS PRO-CHOICE MOVEMENT

PRESIDENTIAL POWER EXAMPLE The greatest power a US President has at their possession is the bully pulpit. Great care is necessary for a president’s words have great influence over the hearts and minds not only of American citizens, but people all over the world. Two clips are presented for review. The first is this presentation of President Ronald Reagan’s famous speech, “Tear Down This Wall” given at the Berlin Wall on June 12, 1987. The second are spoof made by President Bill Clinton and his team before leaving the presidency. Do both pull on your emotional heartstrings?

TEAR DOWN THIS WALL

CLINTON SPOOF

911 – RALLY AROUND THE FLAG Does the United States still maintain the degree of heartfelt international support following 911?

GLOBAL TRIBUTE

PRESIDENTIAL DECISIONS

Informal or persuasion powers place the president in the center of decision making. 1. President George H. Bush’s Gulf War policy and victory gave

leadership and reassurance to the masses. 2. President Bill Clinton’s economic policy gave personalized

government and simplified political issues to the masses. 3. President George W. Bush’s war on terrorism and homeland

security policies give the masses protection.

CAMPAIGN RHETORIC

Campaign rhetoric is based on one or more of the following with the first two remaining the most prevalent: 1. National Security 2. National Economy 3. Social / Nuisances Issues

President George H. Bush’s Gulf War policy and victory may have ended America’s “Vietnam Syndrome”, yet he still lost to Bill Clinton. Perhaps the national economy rose to prominence in the eyes of the electorate. Another point deserving our attention is President H. Bush’s reversal against his “No New Taxes Pledge” made to key supporters during the 1988 presidential election.

1000 POINTS OF LIGHT