A Political Primer

Two-Party System Constitution doesn’t say anything about political parties George Washington didn’t belong to one and thought they were horrible and warned against them. Nevertheless, we have two major parties.

Democrats vs. Republicans Democratic Party Named for democracy = rule by the people. Evolved from Democratic-Republican party of Thomas Jefferson. First Democratic president: Andrew Jackson  Definition of a Liberal, by JFK

Republicans Named for republic = rule through representatives. Emerged in the 1850s. First Republican president: Abraham Lincoln GOP = Grand Old Party

Steps To the Presidency Many! Starting earlier and earlier every cycle. Expensive!  CAN the ordinary American rise to the office of President?  Is the US an oligarchy – ruled by a few rich people?

1) To “throw one’s hat in the ring” To make a challenge A challenger throws their hat into the ring to announce that they want to challenge another boxer Teddy Roosevelt becomes President in 1904 used it in 1912:"My hat's in the ring”

2) Primary Elections Elections held in each of the 50 states to determine who will be the nominee for each partywho will be the nominee for each party Decide how many delegates will represent which candidates at the national convention Some states (CO) have caucuses  neighborhood meetings to choose candidates instead

Who is the most liberal? Conservative? 3) Primary Debates These people are all Republicans!

4) National Convention Meeting of party delegates to formally nominate a candidate for President Republican convention  Held in July 18-21, 2016  Cleveland, Ohio. Cleveland, Ohio  Nominated Mitt Romney in Democratic convention  Held the week of July 25-28, 2016  Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.  Re-nominated Barack Obama in 2012.

Presidential Nominee’s Choice Presidential nominee chooses his own running mate  Person he or she wants to be VP Combination of presidential and vice-presidential candidate is called the “ticket”

How to Pick a Vice President?

5) Party Platform Each party writes a platform  Document that gives their stand on each issue.  Each position /issue is called a “plank”

6) Campaigning Where Would You Campaign?

7) Presidential Debates Series of televised debates between Republican and Democratic candidates for president. The first televised debate was between John F. Kennedy and Richard Nixon in 1960.

8) General Election First Tuesday in November Popular vote  Vote count of the people of each state Electoral vote  Vote of “electors”  Chosen based on the popular vote Electoral vote for each state = # of Representatives in the H of R + the 2 senators

A Political Primer