Political Parties, Candidates, and Campaigns: Defining the Voter’s Choice Chapter 8

Party Competition and Majority Rule: The History of U.S. Parties The first parties Federalists Republicans Republicans transform into Democrats Andrew Jackson and grassroots parties Dependent upon voter support Democrats versus Whigs

236 fig 8-1

Party Competition and Majority Rule: The History of U.S. Parties Republicans versus Democrats: realignments and the enduring party system Enduring two-party system since Civil War Partisan realignments during crises

Party Competition and Majority Rule: The History of U.S. Parties Republicans versus Democrats: realignments and the enduring party system Realignment: three basic elements Divisive issues—disruption of existing political order Election—voters shift support strongly toward one party Enduring change in party coalitions to favor dominant party

Party Competition and Majority Rule: The History of U.S. Parties Republicans versus Democrats: realignments and the enduring party system History of realignments: Civil War—Republicans gain control 1896—Republicans solidify control 1932—Democrats gain control

Party Competition and Majority Rule: The History of U.S. Parties The nature and origins of today’s party alignment Republicans Dominant in South Controlled presidency twice more than Democrats since 1968 Controlled both houses of Congress a third of the time since 1968 Missteps of Nixon and George W. Bush weakened power

Party Competition and Majority Rule: The History of U.S. Parties The nature and origins of today’s party alignment Democrats Dominant in Northeast Civil rights stance caused loss of power in South Less dominant party since 1968 Analysts divided on which party will have greater power going forward

Voting in the 2012 Presidential Election by Strength of Party Identification 242 fig 8-2

Party Competition and Majority Rule: The History of U.S. Parties Parties and the vote Strength of party identification Rarity of true independents Straight-ticket and split-ticket voting

Percentage who Split Ticket 243

Electoral and Party Systems Plurality (single-member-district) system of election Contrast with multiparty system and proportional representation Encourages two-party system Politics and coalitions in the two-party system Seeking the center: median voter theorem Party coalitions Broad and overlapping, but far from identical Gender gap

248 fig 8-3

Party Identification Among Hispanic Registered Voters 250 fig 8-4

Electoral and Party Systems Minor (third) parties Single-issue parties Greenback Party Factional parties Bull Moose Party, 1912 Ideological parties Green Party, 2000 Reform parties Reform Party, 1992

Party Organizations The weakening of party organizations Nominations Loss of party control to candidates Primary election/direct primary Hinders strong party organizations Loss of party power over patronage

Party Organizations The structure and role of party organizations Local party organizations Where 95% of party activists are State party organizations Central committee Chairperson Concentrate on statewide races

Party Organizations The structure and role of party organizations National party organizations Structure of the national parties Run training programs for candidates and their staffs Runs presidential nomination conventions Major role in campaigns is raising and spending of money

National Party Fundraising, 2003-2014 258 fig 8-5

The Candidate-Centered Campaign Campaign funds: the money chase Organization and strategy: political consultants Campaign strategists Pollsters Media producers Fundraising experts Packaging: highlight aspects of candidate’s positions and background thought to be attractive to voters

The Candidate-Centered Campaign Voter contacts: pitched battles Air wars Main battleground: advertising through media Ground wars Web wars In retrospect: the consequences of the last war Prospective voting Retrospective voting

Presidential Campaign Spending, 2012 261 fig 8-6

Parties, Candidates, and the Public’s Influence Stronger relationships between voters and representatives Weaker relationships between voters and representative institutions Candidate-centered campaigns add flexibility Candidate-centered campaigns decrease accountability