Chapter 16: Political Parties Development and organization

What Do You Think? How would you describe the following? Liberal Conservative Republican Democrat Where do you fit? Why?

Two Main Parties Democrats President Obama Republicans Mitt Romney

How Candidates Are Selected Caucuses Private meetings of party leaders Nominating Convention An official public meeting of a party to choose a candidate Primary Election ~the people vote Closed ~only members of party can vote Open ~all voters participate Petition Any person wanting to run gets support using a petition

Democratic Party Social Security Should remain a government sponsored insurance plan for retirees Jobs Keep jobs here and not overseas. Supports unions and the rights of low income workers Economy Increase taxes.

Democratic Party Security/Defense Limited missile defense. Oppose nuclear buildup. Peace is achieved through worldwide relationships. Tax Reform Raise taxes on the wealthy, lower taxes for the middle class Immigration Support illegal alien's ability and right to become citizens and giving them more protections under the law.

Democratic Party Faith Strict adherence to separation of church and state. Education Oppose vouchers. Increase NCLB federal funding. Enact new taxes to decrease class size and hire new teachers. Abortion Generally pro-choice, "Safe, legal, rare."

Democratic Party Energy Want environmentally friendly energy sources. Oppose increased drilling. Healthcare More federally funded healthcare programs. Foreign Policy Supports worldwide coalitions and multi- national programs. Supports aid for disadvantaged countries. Supports the UN.

Democratic Party Environment Puts the interest of the environment over business. Wants to maintain federal land under government control. Guns Strict gun control. Gay Rights Supports gay marriage, but remain divided on the issue, some only support civil unions

Republican Party Social Security Should be privatized. Jobs Pro small business. Supports tax incentives so that more jobs can be created. Economy Supports free market competition and entrepreneurship, corporate deregulation and cutting entitlement spending.

Republican Party Security/Defense Proactive military and defense. Weapons and technology to protect our nation. Peace is achieved through strong defense. Tax Reform Tax cuts, low interest rates and the repeal of the death tax Immigration Closed or tight borders and tracking system for foreign travelers.

Republican Party Faith Strong on religion ~ free exercise of religion.. Education School choice/vouchers and homeschools. Voluntary student supported prayer in school. Abortion Pro-life with emphasis on promoting alternatives to abortion.

Republican Party Energy Tax incentives for energy production. Healthcare Keep healthcare private. Caps on malpractice suits. Reformed medicare. Foreign Policy Spread Democracy. Supports UN reform. Nations who support terrorist are just as bad as the terrorist themselves.

Republican Party Environment Cap and trade market based air pollution reductions and that the market should regulate itself. Guns Limited gun control Gay Rights Oppose gay marriage. Constitutional amendment to ban gay marriage.