1. Political Parties
AP Government
Unit 4

2. What is a Political Party?
A political party is a group of voters, activists, candidates, and office holders who identify with a party label and seek to elect individuals to public office.

3. Political Parties are…
At the most basic level, a political party is a group of office holders, candidates, activists, and voters who identify with a group label and seek to elect to public office individuals who run under that label.
Ours is a centrist party system.
Our parties tend not to be as ideological as parties in other countries.

4. What makes up a Party? Parties are composed of committees that
raise campaign funds
coordinate election activities
formulate policies
recruit members

5. Parties are Made Up of Three Types of “Members”
Governmental party
The office holders and candidates
Organizational party
Workers and activists
Party-in-the-electorate
Those who vote for the party or consider themselves to be allied or associated with it

6. The Evolution of American Party
Hamilton and Jefferson, as heads of the Federalist and Anti-Federalist groups respectively, are often considered 'fathers' of the modern party system.
By 1800, this country had a party system with two major parties that has remained relatively stable ever since.
1796 and 1800
Federalists vs. Democratic- Republicans
New Englanders vs. Southerners

7. History of American Political Parties
1789—1823
Republicans- Democrats
(Jeffersonians)
Federalists
1823—1832
Era of Good Feeling
Multifactionalism
Parties based on old
party labels & new individual
alliances
Democrats
Whigs
1857- Present
( is known as the “Golden Age of Parties”)
Republicans

10. The Main Political Parties in the U.S. Today
Our system contains two major parties
The Democratic Party and the Republican Party.
We also have a number of minor or third parties at any given time.
Among the more important third parties today are the Reform Party and the Libertarian Party.

11. A Party Platform
A formal statement of beliefs, opinions, and policy stands tied together by a set of underlying principles based on the party’s ideological orientation.

12. What is A Party Platform?
Every four years officials, activists, and the nominee for president compile the party’s position on a variety of issues
The platform is usually unveiled at the Party Convention
Formulating the Party Platform is the most important and visible job that political parties contribute to in American politics

13. 2004 Party Platforms “A Safer World and a More Hopeful America”
Republicans 2004
“A Safer World and a More Hopeful America”
2001 and 2003 tax cuts essential
Iraqi invasion necessary for safety
Pro-life
No same-sex marriage; ratify new amendment which says marriage is between a man and a woman
Democrats 2004
“Strong at Home, Respected in the World”
Tax cuts created more deficit
WMD search was a failure
Pro-choice
Opposed Constitutional amendment concerning marriage

14. 2008 Party Platforms Republicans Democrats
“This platform is a testament to that freedom and stands as our promise to future generation…”
Democrats
“Renewing America’s Promise”

15. Competitive Parties = Close Elections
A significant trend of recent times is the demise of one-party voting
One party voting means the dominance of elections in a given region
One-party dominance among states is declining due to population shifts and increased voter mobility.
The formerly Democratic "Solid South" is no more - instead solidly Republican with Democrats fighting for seats and power

16. Creation of Party Symbols- Thomas Nast
Thomas Nast came up with the
The jack-a*$ (donkey) represented Democrats (around 1870)
An elephant represented Republicans (1874).
These were NOT meant to be complimentary!

17. Democrats and Republicans: Dominance Since 1860
From the presidential elections of 1860 to the present, the same two major parties have contested elections in the United States: Democrats and Republicans:
Civil War-Reconstruction
Republican dominance
Closely competitive
1930s and 1940s
Democratic dominance
1950s and 1960s
1970-present
Neither party completely dominant

18. Where do I belong??
Party identification is often a voter's central political reference symbol.
Party identification generally come from one's parents.
However party ID can be affected by a number of factors such as education, peers, charismatic personalities, cataclysmic events, and intense social issues.

19. Loyalty Trends (today)- Democratic
Liberals tend to be Democrats
The Northeast and West tend to vote for Democrats
Catholics* and Jews are mostly Democrats
Labor union members tend to vote Democratic
Democrats have a lead in garnering the women's votes
Over 80% of African Americans; Hispanics vote 3 to 1 Democratic
Young people are more Democratic
The more highly educated vote for Democrats (Be careful here: high school diploma or advanced degrees NOT college attendees or graduates)
Most blue collar workers and unemployed are Democrats
The widowed are mostly Democrats
The single are mostly Democrats

20. Loyalty Trends (today) Republican
Conservatives tend to be Republican
Professionals, executives, and white collar workers tend to be Republican
Chamber of Commerce members tend to vote Republican!!
The South and Midwest tends to be more Republican today
Men tend to split fairly evenly between the two parties, but are more conservative
Cuban Americans are generally Republicans (anti-Castro)
White Protestants tend to be Republican (WASP’s)
Married couples tend to be Republican

21. The Basic Structure of American Political Parties
National Committees
Leadership
National Conventions
States and Localities
Informal Groups
The Party in Government
The Party in the Electorate

22. The Basic Structure of American Political Parties
National Committees—The Democratic National Committee (DNC) and the Republican National Committee (RNC) are the national policy organs of the parties.
They choose national chairpersons and run the quadrennial conventions.
In addition, the Senate and House parties also have committees that are located with the national committees in D.C.

23. Republican National Committee Chairman
Mike Duncan
Democratic National Committee Chairman
Howard Dean

24. The Basic Structure of American Political Parties
Leadership—
The party chairpersons are usually selected by the sitting president for the party in power, and the party national committee usually selects the other national chairperson.
The chair is an important spokesperson for party interests.

25. The Basic Structure of American Political Parties
Each national party has a committee of elites who decide national agenda and platforms (RNC, DNC…)
Most national party members are polarized…left or right
But for parties to survive, they must focus on the ability to capture the swing voter.
How can they do it???

26. The Basic Structure of American Political Parties
Each party holds a primary or a caucus in each state
Then, the political elite from each party are selected as Delegates
The Democrats have Super delegates as well
Superdelegates in the Democratic Party are typically members of the Democratic National Committee, elected officials like senators or governors, or party leaders
They do not have to indicate a candidate preference and do not have to compete for their position.

27. The Primaries and those Pesky Delegates (and Superdelegates)
Democrats
There are currently 4,049 total delegates to the Democratic National Convention, including 3,253 pledged delegates and 796 superdelegates.
The total number of delegate votes needed to win the nomination is 2,025.
Republicans
There are currently 2,380 total delegates to the Republican National Convention, including 1,917 pledged delegates and 463 unpledged delegates.
The total number of delegate votes needed to win the nomination is 1,191.

28. The Basic Structure of American Political Parties
National Conventions—
Every four years, the national committees put together the presidential nominating conventions.
Until 1984, they got gavel-to-gavel coverage by media outlets.
Today, coverage is more selective.
The conventions allow parties to nominate candidates, but also to discuss party organizational matters.

29. The National Party Conventions
Both major parties hold their conventions during the summer of a presidential election year.
Earlier in the year, each party selects delegates by primaries, conventions, committees, etc.
Presidential conventions have come a long way since the days when delegates and party leaders would emerge from “smoke-filled rooms”, battle weary after hours of negotiating over platforms and presidential nominees.

30. The Decline of Party Conventions
Before the 1960’s, National Conventions were important events that did more than promote the candidate and party
The delegates met to promote party unity, establish the party platform, vote for a presidential nominee, and then a vice presidential nominee.
The last contested convention was the 1976 Republican Convention where Ronald Reagan challenged President Ford for the nomination
Now they are more of a Pep Rally and media event

31. The Role of the Convention Today
The “pomp and circumstance” of the party conventions persists, despite the fact that their role in selecting a ticket is largely ceremonial and for show
The “Post-Convention bump” in the polls
Generally, the conventions remain only as a way to gather momentum as the two candidates head into the post-Labor Day election season.

32. Recent Conventions REPUBLICAN DEMOCRATIC 2008 St. Paul
2004 New York City
2000 Philadelphia
1996 San Diego
1992 Houston
1988 New Orleans
1984 Dallas
1980 Detroit
1976 Kansas City
1972 Miami Beach
1968 Miami Beach
1964 San Francisco
1960 Chicago
DEMOCRATIC
2008 Denver
2004 Boston
2000 Los Angeles
1996 Chicago
1992 New York
1988 Atlanta
1984 San Francisco
1980 New York
1976 New York
1972 Miami Beach
1968 Chicago
1964 Atlantic City
1960 Los Angeles

33. The Basic Structure of American Political Parties
States and Localities—
Parties are structurally based at the state and local levels.
Much of the work of the party is carried out at the precinct, city, county, and state levels.
At the state level, voters are much more ideological, resulting in larger number of factional splits than at the national level.
Inter-party competition remains relatively high at the state level.

34. The Basic Structure of American Political Parties
States and Localities
Recently some state parties have overruled national party guidelines concerning primary elections
Super-Duper Tuesday (Feb. 5, 2008)
Florida and Michigan bypassed South Carolina and were “in trouble” with the DNC

35. The Basic Structure of American Political Parties
Informal Groups—
Parties are supplemented by a number of other groups such as the National Federation of Democratic Women, the Young Republicans, State Governor's Associations, interest groups, PACs, and many more.
In addition, there are think tanks such as the Heritage Foundation for the Republicans and the Progressive Policy Institute for the Democrats.

36. The Basic Structure of American Political Parties
The Party in Government
The Congressional Party
The Presidential Party
The Parties and the Judiciary
The Parties and State Government

37. The Congressional Party
The Basic Structure of American Political Parties- The Party in Government
The Congressional Party
The party is highly important and very visible in Congress.
Party groups select the leadership of both houses, arrange committees, and organize and operate the Congress.
Congressional party leaders have some methods of enforcing party discipline such as good committee assignments, prime office assignments, fund raising help, legislative assistance (favorable treatment for a pork barrel project), endorsements, electoral help by popular party leaders, and much more.
Party discipline, however, is not terribly effective in most cases.
Most elections are candidate centered and individualistic, and in those cases many party sanctions cannot have that much influence.

38. The Congressional Party
The Basic Structure of American Political Parties- The Party in Government
The Congressional Party
Party unity and cohesion seem to be growing recently.
Electoral insecurity caused by the increasing competitiveness of the party system seems to be partially the cause.
Also parties may be more homogeneous than in earlier years.
The carrot and stick of party money as well as the growth of party-based advertising and polling also play a role.

39. The Presidential Party
The Basic Structure of American Political Parties- The Party in Government
The Presidential Party
The president is an important party leader. His successes and failures reflect on his party.
The president raises money, campaigns, and sometimes his "coattails" help party nominees.
Some presidents are very interested in party building and are very helpful to the party organization and its candidates.
They are called pro-party presidents.
Other presidents act as if they are 'above the fray' and are almost nonpartisan.

40. The Parties and the Judiciary
The Basic Structure of American Political Parties- The Party in Government
The Parties and the Judiciary
Members of the judiciary do follow election returns and are influenced by public opinion.
They are also products of their own party identification and have the same partisan perceptual screens as the rest of us.
Many judgeships are electoral positions and though officially nonpartisan, there is usually an undercurrent of party affiliation.
Judges are also appointed.
These positions are patronage and usually go to judges who agree politically with the elected official (an active party member) who appoints him/her.

41. The Parties and State Government
The Basic Structure of American Political Parties- The Party in Government
The Parties and State Government
Most of the same logic of the party's relationship to the national legislature, executive, and judiciary apply at the state level as well.
Occasionally, a third party will dominate at the state level.
Reform party
Former pro wrestler Jesse Ventura was the governor of Minnesota

42. The Party in Government
The Parties and State Government
Governors have more patronage available to them than a president does.
These material rewards and incentives help the governor maintain party discipline and promote his/her agenda.
Forty-one governors have the line-item veto that gives the governor considerable powers
In legislatures, state legislatures generally have more party unity and cohesion than the national Congress
State legislative leaders generally have more power than their federal counterparts.

43. The Modern Transformation of Party Organization
Republican Strengths
Until 1992, the Republicans outclassed the Democrats in most categories of campaign service and fundraising.
The Republicans have developed a particularly effective direct mail fundraising organization, and the party often has trouble legally spending all the money it collects.
The Republican Party supports a large array of activities and services including:
party staff
voter contact
polling
media advertising
campaign staff training and research

44. The Modern Transformation of Party Organization
Democratic Party Gains
The national Democratic Party remained quite weak and disorganized until it suffered massive defeats in the 1980s.
Democrats trailed Republicans in most campaign and fundraising functions until 2008 (the Obama campaign has changed this).
The Democrats now have their own direct mail program and a multi-million dollar media center for producing TV and radio spots at very low rates.
Democratic party campaign committees in Congress now raise significant amounts of money from congressional incumbents.

45. The Basic Structure of American Political Parties
The Party-In-The-Electorate
The party-in-the-electorate is the mass of potential voters who identify with party labels.
This group is self-identified and seems to exhibit ever lower levels of party loyalty.

46. The Party-In-The-Electorate
Party Identification
American voters identify with a party, but rarely belong to it.
They tend not to physically join and pay dues; instead they simply assert they are a Republican or a Democrat.

47. Why Democrats seem like Republicans and vice versa
Given declining voter identification, parties attempt to appeal to as much of the electorate as possible.
Parties attempt to “blur” their positions to discourage opponents.
Declining party identification has increased the role of interest groups.

48. Splitting the Vote
Some voters split their vote between the parties, and occasionally vote for third parties and independent parties.
For example:
A voter might vote for a Republican presidential candidate but then vote for a Democrat for Congress, and an Reform Party member for governor.

49. Independent Voters
The number of independents in the U.S. is rising; from 19% in 1958 to almost 38% twenty years later.
Identification with the two major parties today is in the mid 80% range
Voter identification with the two major parties has declined, resulting in an increase in the number of individuals identifying themselves as independents.
These “Leaners” may feel a party affiliation, but choose not to self-identify with a party

50. The Party-In-The-Electorate
Declining Loyalty??
New issues have cut across traditional party lines and weakened party affiliation.
So does the personality politics fostered by television and political consultants
But, pollsters often find that many self declared independents often 'lean' quite strongly in one direction or the other. .

51. Different Roles of the Party
Which is most important on election day?
The Parties at the National Level
National Convention
RNC and DNC
The Parties at the State Level
State committees
The Party in the Electorate
Activists
The actual voters

52. Different Roles of the Party
Which is most important on election day?
The Parties at the National Level
National Committees
RNC and DNC
Runs National Convention
The Parties at the State Level
State committees
The Party in the Electorate
Activists
The actual voters

53. The Basic Structure of American Political Parties

54. Party Realignment and Critical Elections
Party Realignment occurs when voters change parties during a election and the change is permanent and abrupt.
These elections are called critical elections
This has occurred three times in American history:
Jeffersonians in 1800
Republicans in 1860
Democrats in 1932

55. Secular Realignment
Secular realignment occurs when voters switch parties in a gradual way.
This refers to the slow change that occurs in some regions or groups that may or may not be noticeable
Examples:
Older voters replaced with younger voters
The formerly “Solid South” Democratic states have become more Republican
The Northeast has shifted from Republican to Democratic

56. Political Coalitions Major political groupings that shape American policy
The Last Important Coalition…
The New Deal Coalition…Democrats
Labor, poor people, Southern whites, most minorities, and most socially conscious individuals voted for FDR in 1932
This group became the root of today’s Democratic party
As Southern whites began to abandon the Democratic party in 1968 and 1972, the party began to change to accommodate the remaining members of the coalition

57. Dealignment Dealignment is a general decline in party identification
Has increased over the past 2 decades
At least 1/3 of the population does not identify with a political party
However for the time being, parties still control American politics

58. Results of a two-party system?
Fewer and less powerful factions based on ideology, nationalism or religion
Is this a good thing?
Moderate platforms that appeal to everyone
Or just watered down pabulum that we feed to each other?

59. So, if we have so many different viewpoints, Why Does America only have Two Main Political Parties, then??
Any theories out there??

60. The answer is the way the Framers set up the Constitution!
So, if we have so many different viewpoints, Why Does America only have Two Main Political Parties, then??
The answer is the way the Framers set up the Constitution!

61. For Example….. 1. The Electoral College
One candidate per state gets all the votes
In 48/50 states
2. Election rules -single-member districts and winner-take-all elections.
Compare with proportional representation in Parliaments…
There are more inducements to compromise if you have many parties

62. More reasons….
3. The two parties control the primaries and election rules
Set ballot requirements
Set voter registration requirements
4. Our Single-member Congressional district
One representative per Congressional district
In the multi-party systems in Europe many opinions and ideas can have a voice

63. Minor (or Third) Parties
Third parties are generally niche parties that have their roots in:
Sectional issues
Dixiecrats
Economic protest
Populists protest of the late 1800’s
Specific issues
Green Party and the environment
Specific ideologies
Libertarian Party
Failures of the major parties
Ross Perot arose out of the major parties' failures to deal with the deficit and debt as key issues
Charismatic personalities
TR and the Bull Moose Party
Ross Perot in 1992
Or a combination of the above!
Green
Party
Reform
Party

64. Why Third Parties Tend to Remain Minor
Institutional Reasons
We have a"single-member plurality" electoral system
this system, also called first-past-the-post, means that only the winner gets elected.
In proportional representation systems, there tend to be more parties because parties are rewarded (with seats in parliament for example) for as little as 1% or 5% of the vote.

65. Why Third Parties Tend to Remain Minor
Institutional Reasons
most states allow Democrats and Republicans an automatic place on the ballot, but have laws requiring third parties to gather signatures and petition
state and national legislatures are organized on a party basis and aim to perpetuate that

66. Why Third Parties Tend to Remain Minor
Institutional Reasons
public funding of campaigns is more generous for the two major parties, third party candidates must get more than 5% of the vote and major party candidates do not
the news media ignore minor parties since they are perceived as 'non-winners.'

67. Why Third Parties Tend to Remain Minor
Other Reasons
dualist theory states that there is a binary nature to American politics
we have non-ideological, centrist politics
Third parties play a valuable role in American politics. They popularize new ideas, serve as vehicles of popular discontent, induce change in the major parties, assist party realignments, and allow the expression of dissent and opposition.

68. Why Don’t Third Parties Win?
FYI
Third parties appear sporadically and generally not a threat to the two major parties.
Only eight third parties have ever won any electoral votes in a presidential contest, and only five have ever won more than 10% in a presidential election.

69. The Importance of Third Parties
Third parties play a valuable role in American politics.
They popularize new ideas
Serve as vehicles of popular discontent
Induce change in the major parties
Assist party realignments
Allow the expression of dissent and opposition.

70. The Importance of Third-Parties
Although third parties form for a variety of reasons, usually the issues are almost always co-opted by the major parties.
Third parties help the major parties change and force them to acknowledge alienated groups, incorporate new ideas, and nominate more attractive candidates

71. Important Third-Parties
*2000 Ralph Nader and Green Party
*1992 and 1996: Ross Perot’s Reform Party
1968: George Wallace’s American Independent Party
1924: Robert LaFollette’s Progressive Party
1912: Teddy Roosevelt’s Bull Moose Party
1860: The Republican Party** Not considered a third party today!
1856: Millard Fillmore's American Party

72. Other Third Party Successes
Libertarian
Party
Rep. Bernie Sanders of Vermont
Vermont Socialists
Senator Joe Lieberman of Connecticut
Independent Democrat
Minor, or third, parties more successful at the state and local levels than at the national level.

73. Websites of Major Parties
Democratic National Committee
Republican National Committee
Third Parties
Green Party
Libertarian Party
Reform Party.

74. Who is in the drivers seat today?
Republicans
Conservative Coalition
Neo Cons
Democrats
New Deal Coalition
Third Parties
Independents
Moderates
Ticket Splitters
Single People
The Political Elite