Dr. Tabakian’s Political Science 1 US Government – Spring 2013

Power Point Presentation #12

COURSE LECTURE TOPICS

• Foundation Of California Politics

• California Republican Party

• Democratic Party Of California

• Power Structure Of Both Major Parties

• Interest Groups In The Golden State

• Aerospace

• Environmental and “Green” Companies

• Media – Music, Film, Television

• Agriculture

• Healthcare

• Computer Technology

• Transportation

• Campaign Highlights

• Upton Sinclair's “The Jungle”

“GREEN” COMPANIES – TESLA

California influences the nation. If the

state were its own country it would be

the 6th most economically powerful.

The Golden State also influences

national as well as world opinion.

Californians are known to be pro-

conservationist. “Green” policy is also

profitable. Tesla is a relatively new car

company located in San Carlos,

California. They are leading the

rebirth of the electric car. This is a

“Nightline” report of the Tesla

Roadster that aired May 25, 2007.

CALIFORNIA AGRICULTURE

Agriculture is a major industry for the Golden State. With 88,000

farms and ranches, California agriculture is nearly a $32 billion

dollar industry that generates $100 billion in related economic

activity. This enormous achievement is possible through a

combination of tradition and innovation that has secured

California's status as the most productive agricultural state for

more than 50 years. Farmers and ranchers blend old-fashioned

notions of patience and perseverance with cutting-edge

technologies and advanced agricultural practices. The result is a

highly adaptable and diverse industry encompassing more than

350 plant and animal commodities.

(Source: California Department of Food & Agriculture)

• Mainstream media generates

over $60 billion in related

economic activity

• Some put the estimate at

over $80 billion

• Various aspects apply to

making this estimate

MAINSTREAM MEDIA

PARTISANSHIP

Variables can help determine partisanship like the religion, social

status and place of residence of the individual. For example,

Catholics tend to be Democrats and Protestants tend to be

Republicans. Those individuals having a low social status tended

to associate with the Democrats and those holding high social

status tended to be Republican. Rural citizens tend to be more

closely associated with the Republican Party and those residing in

the urban areas tended to lean towards the Democratic Party. A

conglomeration of variables or even a particular characteristic can

assist us in determining individual behavior. Though this is true, it

is the degree of partisanship one holds that remains the best

predictor for determining how one may vote on Election Day.

CALIFORNIA REPUBLICAN PARTY

There are three conservative factions within the

Republican Party. Individuals may identify themselves

with more than one. These are:

1. Financial Conservatives

2. Social Conservatives

3. Moral Conservatives

Moral Conservatives are the most partisan and

ideological who impact statewide office seekers

during a primary.

CRP - MORAL CONSERVATIVE IMPACT

Governor Davis faced considerable

opposition during his re-election

campaign for governor. Richard Riordan

was viewed as the most formidable

opponent if he were to be the

Republican nominee. Gray Davis’s

strategy was to attack Richard Riordan

during the primary so the more

conservative opponent, Bill Simon

acquires the nomination. These

campaign commercials from Gray Davis

were directed towards moral

conservatives to nominate Bill Simon.

DEMOCRATIC PARTY OF CALIFORNIA

The Democratic Party Of California is not split into three distinct

factions. It is known as the “Big Tent” or “Big Umbrella” Party.

Though the party consists of various interest groups that are in a

constant pursuit for power, it does not have the same problem as

the California Republican Party.

MAJOR PARTY POWER DISTRIBUTION

Even though the national

parties have become weaker

and less active, that the

same cannot be said of state

and local party

organizations. Parties at the

sub-national level are

stronger and more active

than they were in the 1950s,

which was at the peak of

partisanship. It was

discovered that as

partisanship continued to

erode that they shifted gears

in order to bolster their

membership base.

National Party

State Party

Local City / County Party Local City / County Party

Local City / County Party Local City / County Party

Local City / County Party Local City / County Party

AMERICA’S TWO PARTY SYSTEM

Our system maintains a process where

unsuccessful parties are discarded or

forced to join with other minor parties,

which in this case has resulted in the

formation of two major parties. Many of the

rules pertaining to elections in the United

States have been designed to weed out

nuisance candidates. Only those

candidates who have demonstrated a

good deal of public support are allowed

access. America continues to enjoy a

stable political system that is maintained

with its two party system. Enjoy this video

of Frank Grimes, the 2004 nominee of the

American Fascist Union for the

Presidency!

PROPAGANDA – MEET KING JOE

Meet King Joe” is a classic capitalist

propaganda film from 1949 that tries to

convince American workers of their

good fortune. At the time of production,

American business was the best in the

world resulting from the worldwide

devastation following World War II.

Capitalism stresses the necessity for

capitalists to remain in pursuit of ever-

increasing levels of efficiency and

innovation that in turn will allow

continuous societal progression. How

does this propaganda cartoon contrast

with “Walden”?

PROPAGANDA & COMMERCIALISM

Private business utilizes propaganda to

market products and services through

various methods. Television remains

the best method of content distribution

even though the Internet continues to

claim greater market share. This is the

famous Pepsi commercial starring

Britney Spears and Senator Bob Dole.

Though the commercial is selling

“Pepsi” one may notice the patriotic

symbolism tying the “company” with the

United States. The first airing of this

commercial was in March 2001.

RICHARD NIXON’S “CHECKERS”

Presidential Candidate Dwight D.

Eisenhower was close to dropping Richard

Nixon from the ticket due to allegations of

campaign fraud. Critics accused then

Representative of California Richard Nixon

of using campaign funds for personal

expenses. This is the famous “Checkers

Speech” that was broadcasted live on

September 23, 1952. It was forever known

as the “Checkers Speech” as Richard

Nixon claims that the only personal gift

was a dog given by a campaign

contributor. Richard Nixon’s daughter

Tricia named the dog “Checkers”. Enjoy

this brilliant piece of propaganda!

PRESIDENT FORD SLIPS UP

The 1976 presidential race

between President Gerald Ford and

Governor Jimmy Carter was during

a time of great national uncertainty.

President Gerald Ford stated,

“There is no Soviet domination of

Eastern Europe and never will be

under a Ford Administration.” This

remark was made during the height

of the Cold War. Many claim that

this misstatement may have cost

him the election. Enjoy the video.

PRESIDENT REAGAN MAKES A CRACK

President Ronald Reagan was

famous for his various one-liners.

During the second presidential

debate between Ronald Reagan

and Walter Mondale on October 21,

1984, the following question was

asked, “Should the President's age

and stamina be an issue in the

political campaign?” Ronald

Reagan’s response resulted in

laughter. Enjoy the video.

DAN QUAYLE VERSUS LLOYD BENTSEN

The Civic Auditorium in Omaha, Nebraska

hosted the vice-presidential debate on

October 5, 1988. One of the moderators,

Judy Woodruff, set the stage by

addressing the audience: "Based on the

history since World War II, there is almost

a 50-50 chance that one of the two men

here tonight will become President of the

United States.” After Dan Quayle then

compared himself to John Fitzgerald

Kennedy, Lloyd Bentsen famously

remarked, “Senator, you’re no Jack

Kennedy”. Enjoy the video.