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

Power Point Presentation #7

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?

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.

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-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.

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?

911 – RALLY AROUND THE FLAG

Does the United States still

maintain the degree of

heartfelt international

support following 911?

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.