Political Parties I.Intro III.Voter Groups Take survey IV.Political Parties (In General) Democrats vs. Republicans V.Conc.

How did you vote (in the election of 2008)? I did not vote57.7% I voted for McCain15.4% I voted for Obama23.1% I voted for a different candidate 0% Source: 6/10 Student Survey at WSCC

What is your political party? Strong Democrat 7.7% Weak Democrat26.9% Strong Republican11.5% Weak Republican11.5% Other (Including Independent)34.6% Source: 6/10 Student Survey at WSCC

Political Parties Issues divide the parties, so take this survey as an activity to begin thinking about your views on the issues.

Voter Groups Group A Union Democrats- blue collar workers and union members Election voted strongly for Obama; Celebrity Examples… Dan Connor Homer Simpson “King of Queens”

Voter Groups Group B Moderate Republicans, but concerned about Religious organizations. They tend to be wealthy and want “smaller” government. Voted strongly for Bush in 2000 & 2004; supported McCain in Celebrity Examples… Thurston Howell III Carlton Banks The Cohens

Voter Groups Group C New Deal Democrats; similar to moderate Democrats; support New Deal and an active government; tend to be older and female; 2008 supported Obama; Celebrity examples… Ray’s Mother Miley’s Grandma

Voter Groups Group D Liberal Activists, loyal Democrats who may alienate moderate Democrats with liberal views on social issues; 2008 Election voted strongly for Obama; Celebrity Examples… Dharma Marshall West Wing

Voter Groups Group E Conservative Activists, loyal Republicans who may alienate moderate Republicans with conservative views on social issues Election voted strongly for McCain; Celebrity examples… Bree Van De Kamp Rush Limbaugh Gibbs

Voter Groups Group F Traditional (often moderate) Democrats. Most are from low- income, blue-collar families; include many racial/ethnic minorities Election, voted strongly for Obama Married…With Children Good Times

Voter Groups Groups G Agnostics, emerged in 1990s as many voted for Clinton; split in 2008, but leaned toward Obama; many are baby-boomers. Celebrity Example… Fraser Crane Two and a Half Men Jeff & Chuck

Political Parties Democratic Party Website Republican Party Website (Images taken 7/1/10)

IssueLiberal Democrat Conservative Republican Who? Dean, Pelosi, Obama, Clinton Reagan, W. Bush, Huckabee, McCain??? Role of Government ACTIVIST: Government should help people; National Health Care, Welfare (WIC), food stamps, Head Start; expand financial aid; min wage ↑ SMALL GOVERNMENT: Get the government off the people’s back (taxes); Health care too costly, people should rely on themselves; min wage -↓ Abortion In most (or all) cases it should be a legal option In most (or all) cases it should be illegal

IssueLiberal Democrat Conservative Republican Gay Rights Support equal treatment for homosexuals; end “don’t ask don’t tell;” states decide gay marriage Support traditional family values; no gay marriage Military Want strong defense: increase spending (yes on SDI). More likely to have supported Iraq War Gun Control

Strategic Defense Initiative (SDI) SDI = “Star Wars” Create a missile defense shield to protect the US from nuclear attack Reagan describes the program in 1980s

IssueLiberal Democrat Conservative Republican Gay Rights Support equal treatment for homosexuals; end “don’t ask don’t tell;” states decide gay marriage Support traditional family values; no gay marriage Military Want strong defense: lower spending (no SDI). Less likely to support Iraq War Want strong defense: increase spending (yes on SDI). More likely to have supported Iraq War Gun Control

IssueLiberal Democrat Conservative Republican Gay Rights Support equal treatment for homosexuals; end “don’t ask don’t tell;” states decide gay marriage Support traditional family values; no gay marriage Military Want strong defense but: lower spending (no SDI). Less likely to support Iraq War Want strong defense: increase spending (yes on SDI). More likely to have supported Iraq War Gun Control Support regulations on gun ownership Resist regulations on gun ownership

IssueLiberal DemocratConservative Republican Solution for the problem of crime Stress prevention (no mandatory minimums); eliminate the factors (like poverty/drug addiction) that influence people to become criminals Set tougher punishments (mandatory minimums); long sentences are a deterrent; more likely to support death penalty Civil Rights & Women’s Rights Support Equality- The government isn’t doing enough to protect civil rights; the civil rights movement hasn’t gone far enough; more governmental involvement is needed Support Equality- Affirmative Action has gone too far-it causes more problems than it solves; sexual harassment cases have gone too far; get the government out

Political Parties I.Intro III.Voter Groups Take survey IV.Political Parties (In General) Democrats vs. Republicans V.Conc.