2. Copyright @ 2012, 2011, 2009, 2007 Pearson Education, Inc

3. 1) The party system in the United States 2) How the two major parties organized nationally and at the state level in Texas 3) The history of political party competition in Texas 4) How the Texas Democratic and Republican parties compare with one another in terms of voter support and offices held 5) The groups of voters that generally support each of the major political parties based on income, race and ethnicity, age, gender, region, and place of residence 6) The interest groups allied with each of the state’s major political parties 7) How the issue orientations of the state’s two major political parties compare and contrast with one another 8) The factors that affect the future of party politics in Texas, and the challenges facing both major parties in the state Copyright @2012, 2011, 2009, 2007 Pearson Education, Inc

4. Republican Party Dominance 2010 election: Every executive branch official elected statewide was Republican. Every seat on Texas’ two highest courts – Republican Republicans outnumbered Democrats 19-12 in the Texas Senate and 99-51 in the Texas House. When two Democratic members of the House changed parties, the Republicans gained a 101-49 supermajority. Copyright @2012, 2011, 2009, 2007 Pearson Education, Inc Case Study

5. Political party: An organization that seeks political power Similar to interest groups – both are interested in election outcomes Different – political parties attempt to win control of government by nominating candidates for elected office to run under the party label Copyright @2012, 2011, 2009, 2007 Pearson Education, Inc The Party System Two-party system Division of voter loyalties between two major political parties, resulting in the near exclusion of minor parties from seriously competing for a share of political power Since the Civil War era, Democrats and Republicans have been the two dominant parties in American national politics

6. One-Party Dominance Despite the existence of two major parties, many states have experienced periods of one-party dominance. Copyright @2012, 2011, 2009, 2007 Pearson Education, Inc The Party System Southern Politics For nearly a century after the Civil War, the Democratic Party dominated southern politics Political conflicts still occurred in the South, but they took place within the Democratic Party between factions divided over issues or personalities. Faction: An identifiable subgroup within a political party

7. National and State Party Organizations Both parties have national and state party organizations. Copyright @2012, 2011, 2009, 2007 Pearson Education, Inc Party Organization Texas Party Organization Political parties in Texas have both temporary and permanent party organizations. Figure 6.1 in the following slide depicts the various structures.

8. Copyright @ 2012, 2011, 2009, 2007 Pearson Education, Inc

9. Temporary Party Organizations The temporary organization of each party consists of the precinct conventions, county and district conventions, and state party conventions. Copyright @2012, 2011, 2009, 2007 Pearson Education, Inc Party Organization Meetings: Assemble for a few hours or days in a general- election year to allow rank-and-file party supporters a chance to participate in the party’s decision-making process The main business is to select delegates to the next highest level of the party, ultimately selecting delegates to the national party convention in the presidential election years.

10. State Conventions: Both parties hold these in June In presidential election years, the state party convention selects delegates to the national party convention. Each state party convention also names a slate of potential presidential electors to cast the Electoral College votes for Texas. Copyright @2012, 2011, 2009, 2007 Pearson Education, Inc Party Organization Certify party nominees for the fall general election Adopt a state party platform (statement of party principles and issue positions) Elect the state party chairperson and vice chairperson Choose members of the state executive committee Select individuals to serve on the national party executive committee

11. Permanent Party Organizations – Operate year-round Precinct chairpersons County chairpersons County executive committees State executive committee and state party chair Copyright @2012, 2011, 2009, 2007 Pearson Education, Inc Party Organization Primary Duties – Conduct elections Raise money for the candidates Plan for party conventions Promote the party

12. Dominance of Democrats Post-Civil War – For nearly a century following the Civil War and Reconstruction, Texas was dominated by the Democratic Party. Power Base – Large landowners and industrialists favoring a conservative political philosophy Electoral Success – Democrats won nearly every statewide race, most seats in Congress and the state legislature, and the overwhelming local and judicial contests. Copyright @2012, 2011, 2009, 2007 Pearson Education, Inc History of the Texas Party System Solid South – Democratic dominance throughout the South Democratic sweep of southern state electoral votes in presidential election years

13. Dominance of Democrats Liberal Faction Emerges By the 1930s, an identifiable liberal faction emerged within the Democratic Party to challenge the conservative dominance. Copyright @2012, 2011, 2009, 2007 Pearson Education, Inc History of the Texas Party System Liberalism – Seeks to change the political, economic, or social institutions of society to foster the development of the individual Conservatism – Seeks to preserve the political, economic, and social institutions of society against abrupt change

14. Factionalism Electoral contests between conservative Democrats and liberal Democrats led to factionalism within the Democratic Party during the next several decades of Texas politics. Copyright @2012, 2011, 2009, 2007 Pearson Education, Inc History of the Texas Party System Conservative Democrats – Generally opposed most government economic regulation and heavy government spending, favoring low taxes and traditional values Liberal Democrats – Favored government regulation and high levels of government spending on social programs Called for a more active role for state government in the fields of education, job training, healthcare, and public assistance to the poor

15. Reemergence of Republican Party Transition – Early 1950s through the late 1970s was a transitional period with the coming to life of the Texas Republican Party. Texas voters begin to join the Republican Party in the 1950s and 1960s. Texas Republicans built their party throughout the 1960s and 1970s and successfully elected candidates to the U.S. Congress, the Texas legislature, and to local government. Copyright @2012, 2011, 2009, 2007 Pearson Education, Inc History of the Texas Party System Republican Shift – Dwight Eisenhower’s candidacy (34 th president, 1953-1961) brought a flood of new faces to the Republican camp

16. Rise of the Republican Party Reasons for the rise of the Republican Party in Texas: The legacy of the Civil War finally began to diminish in importance, especially for younger Texans. Many conservative white Democrats became disenchanted with what they saw as an increasingly liberal national Democratic Party. The Texas Republican Party benefited from the migration of white-collar workers from outside the South. Copyright @2012, 2011, 2009, 2007 Pearson Education, Inc History of the Texas Party System

17. Two Party State Republican Governor (1978) – Bill Clements’ election as the first Republican governor in more than a century signaled the emergence of a competitive two-party system in Texas. Copyright @2012, 2011, 2009, 2007 Pearson Education, Inc History of the Texas Party System Competitive Politics 1978 - 1994: Texas party politics was more competitive than ever before Texas becomes a two-party state with the electoral struggles between Democrats and Republicans for control of statewide offices and the state legislature

18. Republican Party Dominance 1994: The Republican Party became the clear majority party Rep George W. Bush defeated incumbent Dem governor Ann Richards 2002: Election was the zenith of Republican Party success. Copyright @2012, 2011, 2009, 2007 Pearson Education, Inc History of the Texas Party System The GOP remains the majority party in Texas politics, but: Democrats have picked up seats in the legislature, especially in the House. Democrats have won every contested race in Dallas County in 2006 and 2008 and a majority in Harris County in 2008 Democrats Making Gains

19. Copyright @ 2012, 2011, 2009, 2007 Pearson Education, Inc

20. Income Higher-income citizens generally support Republican candidates and lower- income voters backing Democrats Race and Ethnicity Minority voters, especially African Americans, tend to support Democrats. Age Texas Democrats are stronger with younger voters; in contrast, Republicans do better with older voters. Gender Texas has a gender gap – differences in party identification and political attitudes between men and women. Region Republicans are strongest in West Texas and East Texas. Democrats are strongest in South Texas. Place of Residence Democrats do well in big-city Texas; the Republicans carry the suburbs, small towns, and rural areas. Copyright @2012, 2011, 2009, 2007 Pearson Education, Inc Voting Patterns

21. Political parties and interest groups form informal alliances. Campaign Support and Funding – Interest groups assist political parties by providing campaign funds and organizational support to party candidates. Endorse Candidates – Groups endorse candidates and distribute campaign literature to group members and people who would likely sympathize with the group’s goals. Copyright @2012, 2011, 2009, 2007 Pearson Education, Inc Interest Group-Political Party Alliances Table 6.2 in the following slide lists the interest groups associated with the Texas Democratic and Republican parties.

22. Copyright @ 2012, 2011, 2009, 2007 Pearson Education, Inc

23. Fundamental Principles – The two major political parties in Texas agree on the fundamental principles of American’s political and economic systems. Areas of Agreement – Both Democrats and Republicans favor good schools, safe streets, healthy families, and a sound economy. Areas of Disagreement – The two parties disagree on some of the details of policy, particularly on the role of government in society. Copyright @2012, 2011, 2009, 2007 Pearson Education, Inc Issue Orientation

24. See Table 6 - 3 State Taxes School Finance School Choice Bilingual Education Sex Education Higher Education Illegal Immigration Healthcare Energy Transportation Copyright @2012, 2011, 2009, 2007 Pearson Education, Inc Texas Democratic and Republican Party Platforms, 2010, Selected Issues Privatization Right-to-Work Laws Capital Punishment Judicial Selection Role of Religion Minimum Wage Abortion Divorce Election Reform Gay and Lesbian Rights