Political Parties in Texas C HAPTER 9

9-2 Upon completing this chapter, you will be able to…  Evaluate the role of political parties in Texas.

9-3 Fifty States, Fifty Party Systems  Emphasis on state versus national parties  Sectionalism dominated Texas’ partisan perspective from the Civil War through the era of Civil Rights  Distinction between federal and state elections  State party systems vary widely Key term:  political parties

9-4 The Strength of State Party Organizations  Texas today: Republicans hold all statewide elected offices  Party labels do not necessarily indicate ideology Key term:  party ideology

9-5 CORE OBJECTIVE Taking Personal Responsibility… Examine your political values and compare them to the expressed values of both parties. Do your ideas about the role of government, politics, and policy align with one particular party?

9-6 Evolution of Political Parties in Texas  Politics of the Republic of Texas  Annexation and the Civil War Era  The One-Party Democratic Era in Texas

9-7 Party Realignment in Texas  The Beginning of Change  Alan Shivers and Dwight Eisenhower  The Election of John Tower  The Senate seat win  The Election of Bill Clements  First Republican Governor since the Civil War  The “Conversion” and Election of Phil Gramm  The Southern Strategy solidified  The Move toward Parity with the Democrats

9-8 One-Party Republican Dominance in Texas  Texas as of 1994: one-party Republican  Liberal and moderate Democrats  Austin is still the center  Large, urban city centers  Demographics  Factions in the state Republican Party  Business value conservatives  Social value conservatives, Tea Partiers and Libertarians----oh my.

9-9

9-10 CORE OBJECTIVE Being Socially Responsible… What impact, if any, do factions have on enhancing or diminishing civic engagement? In your opinion, do factions promote acceptance of diverse opinions?

9-11 Party De-alignment  Since the early 1980s in Texas  Increased in split-ticket voting but very little competitionbut very little competition  Candidates distancing themselves from parties  Decline in number of Texans identifying as Democrats  1952—66% 2009—22%  Low voter turnout  Rise in media campaigning Key terms:  party de-alignment  straight ticket voting

9-12 CORE OBJECTIVE Communicating Effectively… Explain how political reforms have weakened political parties.

9-13 Traditional Party Functions in the United States  Labor-Intensive Politics  Traditional political party functions  Choosing and running a candidate’s campaign  Raising and dolling out money  Organizing rallies  Printing ballots and conducting polls  Spoils system  Capital-Intensive Politics  Importance of media  Expensive mode of communicating ‘brand’  Pollsters and other election consultants  Direct mail and social media

9-14 Political Reforms and the Weakening of Political Parties  Secret or Australian ballot  Diminished the influence parties had over both voters and the ballot itself  Pendleton Act  Ended the ‘patronage’ political parties were able to provide in exchange for voters support for their respective parties and candidates  Progressive Era  The direct primaries would allow voters to choose--- although parties would still vet candidates

9-15 Third-Party Movements  Raza Unida  Libertarian Party  Green Party  Natural Law Party  Rules governing elections in Texas limit impact Key term:  Raza Unida (United Race)

9-16 Ballot Access  The Texas Election Code defines the processTexas Election Code  Requirements are different depending upon the status of the candidate and which office is being sought  Third party Third party  Independent candidates Independent candidates  write-in candidates write-in candidates

9-17 CORE OBJECTIVE Thinking Critically… On average, about 1 in 3 Texans identify themselves as independents, suggesting that they do not align with either the Republicans or the Democrats. Why does this matter?

9-18 Party Organization in Texas  Permanent Party Organization  The County and Precinct Chairs The County and Precinct Chairs  Becoming a chair FAQ Becoming a chair FAQ  The County Executive Committee  GOP GOP  Democrat Democrat Key terms:  permanent party organization  precinct chair  county chair  county executive committee

9-19 Party Organization in Texas  Permanent Party Organization  The State Executive Committee  GOP GOP  Democratic Democratic  The State Party Chair  GOP GOP  Democratic Democratic  Temporary Party Organization Key terms:  state executive committee  state party chair  temporary party organization

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9-21 Democratic Party Convention in 2008  Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama  What a nightmare  Precinct conventions  What a BIG nightmare (space, inexperienced people, TAKS testing the next day)  County and district conventions  State convention  National convention Key term:  presidential preference primary

9-22 Caucus and Primary Delegate Selection Systems  Texas uses primary system to determine delegates  We have open primaries  Precinct conventions also called caucuses  Begin after the polls close  Delegates are chosen and planks are voted on  Effectiveness of caucus system