West Coast American Leadership Academy Political Science 1 – US Government

Fall 2015 / Spring 2016 – Power Point 11

Course Lecture Topics 1. Partisanship

2. California Republican Party

3. Democratic Party Of California

4. Major Party Power Distribution

5. How The Masses Perceive The Party

6. Blast From The Past: Wilson Versus Brown

7. Bush In 30 Seconds

8. Campaign Rhetoric

9. Yes On Proposition 8 Campaign

10. No On Proposition 8 Campaign

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. One

can argue that moral conservative influence influenced Schwarzenegger to not seek the Republican nomination for

Governor in 2002. He instead waited for the right opportunity: The Recall Election of 2003.

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

National parties have become weaker while state and local party organizations became more powerful. Sub-national parties are stronger and more active than they were in the 1950s, which was at the peak of partisanship. 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

How The Masses Perceive The Parties

Activists are most likely to participate in campaign activities. These are the most partisan among typical voters. Two of the most common activities aside from voting is donating personal labor and financial resources. Political pandering refers to how parties cater to their core base of activists. Those found in the Republican Party tend to be more conservative than the average Republican voter. Democratic activists on the other hand tend to be more liberal than the average Democratic voter.

Blast From The Past! This is a video compilation of campaign commercials from the 1994 California Governor’s Race! Are the topics addressed identical to those concerns held today? What similarities, if any, are there to the 2006 governor’s election? Are the issues addressed pertinent to 2009?

Bush In 30 Seconds During the 2004 reelection, Moveon.org sponsored a contest inviting people to submit a thirty second campaign commercial attacking the Bush Administration. The winning commercial was broadcasted nationwide one time during primetime. This was the opportunity for amateurs to rise to stardom.

Campaign Rhetoric America remains a two party system. The reasons for this being are:

1. Tradition of the two party system.

2. Winner take all elections.

3. Each state has different rules pertaining to ballot access.

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

Proposition 8 – Yes On 8 The debate over gay marriage is an issue of great concern. Various forces are in play not only in California, but also across the nation over how we as a society should define marriage. Californians faced a wide multitude of ballot propositions on November 4, 2008. One issue of particular interest is the anti-gay measure that will amend California’s Constitution, defining marriage or the recognition of such as being between a man and a woman. Proposition 8 passed with 52.1% of the vote. This video is a compilation of advertisements produced by “Yes On Proposition 8”. What were the significant points made by these advertisements?

Proposition 8 – No On 8 The debate over gay marriage is an issue of great concern. Various forces are in play not only in California, but also across the nation over how we as a society should define marriage. Californians faced a wide multitude of ballot propositions on November 4, 2008. One issue of particular interest is the anti-gay measure that will amend California’s Constitution, defining marriage or the recognition of such as being between a man and a woman. Proposition 8 passed with 52.1% of the vote. This video is a compilation of advertisements produced by “No On Proposition 8”. What were the significant points made by these advertisements?