1. Party Weaknesses

2. Lack of Rank and File Membership and Grassroots Organization Anyone can join through registration No duties or dues Most activities at election time Most Americans are spectators rather than participants in party activity Small % of “strong” Republicans and Democrats Increase in % of Independents

3. Parties have lost traditional functions Nomination of candidates (now by primary elections) Funding of political campaigns (candidate centered) Unifying gov’t (we often have divided gov’t and intra- party conflict can be strong) Providing patronage (jobs filled by Civil Service, e.g., EPA position)

4. Weak Party Discipline Split ticket voting. Voters feel less loyalty Few penalties for politicians who stray from party line, since candidates are nominated by people, not party bosses (e.g., John McCain) Candidates finance campaigns on their own rather than rely upon the party

5. Intra-Party Division Between party regulars and candidate loyalists/issue advocates (e.g., Christian Coalition and their initial lack of support for John McCain) Between Democratic liberals and moderates (“Blue Dogs” in Congress) Between Republican conservatives and moderates (Olympia Snow-Maine, voted for Senate Health Bill)