Party Structure Today Chapter 9, Theme B

Parties Similar on Paper National Conventions nominate the presidential candidates every 4 yrs. National Conventions nominate the presidential candidates every 4 yrs. National Committee is composed of delegates from states to manage affairs between conventions. National Committee is composed of delegates from states to manage affairs between conventions. Congressional campaign comm. Work to get party members elected. Congressional campaign comm. Work to get party members elected. National Chairs manage day-to-day work. National Chairs manage day-to-day work. –DNC Debbie Wasserman Schultz –RNC Reince Priebus

Political Party Structure Political Party Structure National Committee: Works to get the President & Congressional members elected; all sts. represented; organize Convention State Committee: Works to get the Governor, Legislators & Judges elected; Choose national delegates Local Committee: Works to get local leader elected; choose state delegates Precinct Organization: Choose precinct officials from local party members; Choose local committee

RNC vs. DNC RNC moved to bureaucratic structure and as a result was able to well-finance party and elect congressional candidates, later Presidential candidates, too. (WAR CHEST) RNC moved to bureaucratic structure and as a result was able to well-finance party and elect congressional candidates, later Presidential candidates, too. (WAR CHEST) DNC factionalized structure and redistributed power. DNC factionalized structure and redistributed power. RNC used computerized mailing lists RNC used computerized mailing lists –A national firm of political consultants Both parties once sent money to state parties to side-step FEC…soft money Both parties once sent money to state parties to side-step FEC…soft money Soft money is now banned (BCRA) Soft money is now banned (BCRA)

National Conventions National Committee sets time & place National Committee sets time & place –Why are the locations important? Issue a “call” setting the number of delegates for ea. State & rules of selection using complex formulas. Issue a “call” setting the number of delegates for ea. State & rules of selection using complex formulas. –Dem. Formula shift (To N & W) –Rep. Formula shift (To S & SW) –Results? Dem. More left, Rep. more right

National Conventions DNC formula…reward large sts. DNC formula…reward large sts. RNC formula…reward loyal sts. RNC formula…reward loyal sts. REFORMS: REFORMS: –DNC 1970s rules weakened local parties to give strength to minorities at convention –Hunt Commission in 1981 gave more influence to superdelegates –Hunt Commission in 1981 gave more influence to superdelegates –Parties represent different sets of upper middle classes…Rep. traditional middle class is more conservative, Dem. New middle class is more liberal & educated

National Conventions Why are national conventions no longer as important to the candidates? Why are national conventions no longer as important to the candidates? Why has the primary & caucus replaced this tradition? Why has the primary & caucus replaced this tradition? Besides nominating the party’s candidate, the party develops & writes the plans to the platform. Besides nominating the party’s candidate, the party develops & writes the plans to the platform.

Political Machines What is a political machine? What is a political machine? –Always use incentives. –Thrived before the Civil Service System was created due to patronage. Historical Examples: Historical Examples: –Tammany Hall’s Boss Tweed The Hatch Act, Voter education & Progressive reforms helped to end most of these machines. The Hatch Act, Voter education & Progressive reforms helped to end most of these machines.

The Two-Party System Rarity among nations today Rarity among nations today Evenly balanced nationally, not locally Evenly balanced nationally, not locally Why such a permanent feature? Why such a permanent feature? –Electoral system-winner-take-all and plurality system –Opinions of voters-two broad coalitions work, although times of bitter dissent –State laws have made it very difficult for third parties to get on the ballot –Single member districts

Types of Third or Minor Parties Ideological Parties Ideological Parties –Comprehensive, radical view; most enduring –Examples: Socialist, Communist, Libertarian One-Issue Parties One-Issue Parties –Address one concern, avoid others –Examples: Free Soil, Know-Nothing, Prohibition –Usually absorbed by a major party

Types of Third or Minor Parties Economic Protest Parties Economic Protest Parties –Regional, protest economic conditions –Examples: Greenback, Populist, Tea Party Factional or Splinter Parties Factional or Splinter Parties –From split in a major party –Examples: Bull Moose, George Wallace, American Independent, Reform

Legal Obstacles to 3rd Parties Getting on the ballot Getting on the ballot –Need % of voters on petition to get on ballot…Must do in nearly all states Federal Campaign Finance Laws Federal Campaign Finance Laws –5% of vote to get Federal Funds –Limits on donations & spending Electoral College Electoral College –Winner Take All system Single Member Districts Single Member Districts Excluded From National debates Excluded From National debates

Impacts of Third Parties Bring new ideas & issues to forefront Bring new ideas & issues to forefront Allows a voice for the fringe and discontent Allows a voice for the fringe and discontent Enhances participation Enhances participation Makes two main parties broaden appeal Makes two main parties broaden appeal Makes two main parties address issues and take positions Makes two main parties address issues and take positions

How do we improve the 2-Party System? Discuss each alternative in CT Packet. Discuss each alternative in CT Packet. Sign on to Socrative Student App using room # Sign on to Socrative Student App using room # Divide into parties. Take device with you! Divide into parties. Take device with you! Announce method & review procedure. Announce method & review procedure. Nominate candidate. Nominate candidate.

Alternative Voting Systems CandidatePluralityRun-offApprovalCumulative Party A Party B Party C Party D

Alternative Voting Systems CandidatePluralityRun-offApprovalCumulative Party A Kris Riley Party B Courtney Party C Connor Party D Tighe

Which method is best? Now that we have discussed, outlined and modeled alternative voting systems, which of the methods do you feel is best at choosing a leader? Explain your answer with details and relevant examples. Choices include plurality, run-off, cumulative, approval, transferable, & proportional. Paragraph due Tuesday. Now that we have discussed, outlined and modeled alternative voting systems, which of the methods do you feel is best at choosing a leader? Explain your answer with details and relevant examples. Choices include plurality, run-off, cumulative, approval, transferable, & proportional. Paragraph due Tuesday.

Assignment Re-read the last section of chapter 9 on voters vs. delegates to help understand next part of the assignment. Re-read the last section of chapter 9 on voters vs. delegates to help understand next part of the assignment. Read pp Take notes on Read pp Take notes on –Type of elections and issues related to each –Differences between Pres. & Cong. Elections –Issues that shape elections Due Tuesday! Due Tuesday!