Government Final Review

Who is Who in Government? Local Government Local Government –Erie County Executive = Chris Collins –Mayor of Kenmore = Pat Mang –Town of Ton. Supervisor = Anthony Caruana State Government State Government –David Patterson = Governor –Robin Schimminger = Assemblyman

Who is Who in Government? National Government National Government –John Roberts = Supreme Court Chief Justice –Nancy Pelosi = Speaker of the House –Hillary Clinton = Secretary of State

Primary Election a method by which a political party chooses its nominees for public office a method by which a political party chooses its nominees for public office winners of primary elections run against nominees of other parties in the general election winners of primary elections run against nominees of other parties in the general election unique U.S. institution, born in the era of political reform at the beginning of the 20th century unique U.S. institution, born in the era of political reform at the beginning of the 20th century **choice is private**

Caucuses The word "caucus" means: "to gather together and make a great noise." The word "caucus" means: "to gather together and make a great noise." series of party meetings where there is much debate series of party meetings where there is much debate At each level, party members vote for delegates who will take their opinions on the choice of presidential candidate forward to the next level At each level, party members vote for delegates who will take their opinions on the choice of presidential candidate forward to the next level **choice is public**

The Electorate The electorate refers to the eligible voting population in a country. The electorate refers to the eligible voting population in a country. Any US citizen, 18 years of age with no felonies, is allowed to vote as long as they are registered. Any US citizen, 18 years of age with no felonies, is allowed to vote as long as they are registered.

Who is most likely to vote? Higher education level (*best indicator*) Higher education level (*best indicator*) Higher income Higher income Older (the elderly) Older (the elderly) Married (influenced by spouse) Married (influenced by spouse) White White Suburbs Suburbs

Who is least likely to vote? Lower education level Lower education level Lower income Lower income Younger Younger Single Single Minority Minority Rural Areas Rural Areas

Voting Voting in presidential elections is the most common form of political activity Voting in presidential elections is the most common form of political activity However, many people don’t vote. Why? However, many people don’t vote. Why? –Too busy –Don’t care –My vote doesn’t count –Issues don’t concern me –Lazy

Political Spectrum LiberalsModerates Conservatives * Most people are moderates (in the middle)

What is a political party? An organized group who share common beliefs, who work together to: An organized group who share common beliefs, who work together to: –Win elections –Control government –Set public policy

Political Parties George Washington and the Founders of the Constitution believed that political parties were: George Washington and the Founders of the Constitution believed that political parties were: –Inevitable –A danger to the nation

Democratic Platform Ideas Social equality Social equality Government involvement in the lives of the people Government involvement in the lives of the people Funded programs Funded programs Protect resources and environment Protect resources and environment

Democratic Party Types of People Types of People –Blacks –Latinos –Labor unions –Immigrants –Little education –Jews –Liberals –Minorities Region Region –Urban areas –Northeast –West Coast (California)

Party Symbols The Donkey represents the Democrats. The Donkey represents the Democrats. President Andrew Jackson was depicted as a “Jackass.” President Andrew Jackson was depicted as a “Jackass.”

Republican Platform Ideas Family values Family values Religion (schoolprayer is OK) Religion (schoolprayer is OK) Less Gov’t involvement Less Gov’t involvement Wealthy/prosperous economy more important than the environment Wealthy/prosperous economy more important than the environment

Republican Party Types of People Types of People –WASPs –Educated –Businesses –Professional groups –Wealthy –Conservatives Region Region –Suburbs –West –Midwest –Rural areas –South

Party Symbols The Elephant represents the Republicans. The Elephant represents the Republicans. Why? Ulysses S. Grant was portrayed as a marching elephant. Why? Ulysses S. Grant was portrayed as a marching elephant.

What is the Solid South? Southern States strictly vote for the same party Southern States strictly vote for the same party

The Civil War Just after the Civil War, the Solid South voted overwhelmingly Democratic because the focus of the Republican Party was the issue of anti- slavery (slavery existed in the South and was eventually outlawed). Just after the Civil War, the Solid South voted overwhelmingly Democratic because the focus of the Republican Party was the issue of anti- slavery (slavery existed in the South and was eventually outlawed).

What is Realignment? A long term shift in voting patterns from one party to another A long term shift in voting patterns from one party to another –The Solid South!

Realignment of the South The Solid South realigned in the 1950s-1960s to the Republican Party The Solid South realigned in the 1950s-1960s to the Republican Party Southerners believed Democrats were becoming too liberal, supporting the Civil Rights Movement Southerners believed Democrats were becoming too liberal, supporting the Civil Rights Movement Southern White voters now vote for Republicans Southern White voters now vote for Republicans

Straight Party Ticket Voting for all the candidates of one party Voting for all the candidates of one party –Ex) I voted for all the Democratic candidates in the last election

Split Ticket Vote cast on one ballot for candidates of two or more different political parties Vote cast on one ballot for candidates of two or more different political parties –Ex) Voting for a Democratic President, a Republican Congressman, and an Independent legislator

The Electoral College The Electoral College influences candidates to campaign in the states with the most electoral votes (states with largest population). The Electoral College influences candidates to campaign in the states with the most electoral votes (states with largest population). California, Texas, & New York have the most number of electoral votes. California, Texas, & New York have the most number of electoral votes. Other “showdown states” include Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Florida. Other “showdown states” include Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Florida.

Third Parties In the U.S., we have a two-party system, yet several third parties have emerged throughout time. In the U.S., we have a two-party system, yet several third parties have emerged throughout time. Although third parties do not have much power in elections, they serve a greater purpose: Although third parties do not have much power in elections, they serve a greater purpose: –they discuss issues and concerns that the two main parties would otherwise ignore!

Why do politicians need money? To campaign To campaign To set up ads (photo-ops, commercials) To set up ads (photo-ops, commercials) To hold dinners To hold dinners To travel to states (hold rallies) To travel to states (hold rallies) To educate voters To educate voters

Soft Money Soft money refers to unlimited donations to the political parties for the purpose of party-building activities. Soft money refers to unlimited donations to the political parties for the purpose of party-building activities. Most recently given to 527 groups without any real limits Most recently given to 527 groups without any real limits

Hard Money Hard money refers to money donated to a specific political candidate. Hard money refers to money donated to a specific political candidate. Regulated to $1,000 a year per candidate Regulated to $1,000 a year per candidate

Political Action Committees (PACs) Set up by an interest group Set up by an interest group Their main function is to raise and contribute funds to a candidate Their main function is to raise and contribute funds to a candidate Given to the candidate that appears to agree with the beliefs of their interest group Given to the candidate that appears to agree with the beliefs of their interest group EX) MADD will give $ to a candidate that promises stricter DWI laws EX) MADD will give $ to a candidate that promises stricter DWI laws

Interest Groups Influence the political process by: Influence the political process by: –Appealing to public opinion –Lobbying (lobbyists provide info to legislators and the public) –Contributing $ to candidates

Interest Groups Most IG’s in Washington, DC represent corporations and businesses Most IG’s in Washington, DC represent corporations and businesses Allow individuals to speak in a louder, combined voice Allow individuals to speak in a louder, combined voice People join IG’s because they feel strongly about the goal the IG is trying to achieve People join IG’s because they feel strongly about the goal the IG is trying to achieve

The Media Decides what issues to focus on, thus affecting which issues the public thinks are important Decides what issues to focus on, thus affecting which issues the public thinks are important The media also has 4 major functions: The media also has 4 major functions: –Informs –Entertains –Investigates –Advertises

Impact of the Media Positives Positives –Competition –Gain appeal –Make profit Negatives Negatives –Sensationalism –Too critical of gov’t –Too invasive

The Media Free Media Free Media –Hillary Clinton appears on the Tonight Show with Jay Leno –Hillary Clinton attends a rally in downtown Buffalo – all local news stations cover the story *No control over what is shown in the media *No control over what is shown in the media

The Media Paid Media Paid Media –Barack Obama pays for a TV commercial promoting himself as the best Democratic Presidential candidate for the 2008 election. *Can control what is seen/heard

Media as the Elite The Media is sometimes called the “4 th Branch of Government” The Media is sometimes called the “4 th Branch of Government” The media acts as a “lens” and has the power to: The media acts as a “lens” and has the power to: –Present a candidate as good or evil –Ignore a candidate –Distort our perception of candidates

Other Things to Study… Pillars of Democracy Pillars of Democracy Bill of Rights & Important Amendments Bill of Rights & Important Amendments –1st Amendment –10th Amendment –14th Amendment –15th Amendment –19th Amendment –26th Amendment GOOD LUCK!!