1. A merican Political Parties and Elections

2. What Is a Political Party? A political party is a group of citizens who agree on major issues facing the nation. These groups work to create public policies that reflect their views.

3. Political Parties and the Constitution Political parties first emerged when followers of Alexander Hamilton and Thomas Jefferson disagreed over major issues in the Constitution.

4. Political Parties and the Constitution Jefferson’s group took the name Democratic-Republicans. Due to experience with Britain, they feared a powerful central government. They wanted the states to hold greater power.

5. Political Parties and the Constitution Hamilton championed a strong national government. His followers called themselves Federalists, after those who supported the Constitution and the creation of a strong federal government.

6. The Democrats The Democratic donkey was first associated with Democrat Andrew Jackson's 1828 presidential campaign. His opponents called him a jackass (a donkey), and Jackson decided to use the image of the strong-willed animal on his campaign posters.

7. The Democrats In 1828, the Democratic- Republican party dropped the “republican” from their name to avoid confusing voters with the Whig Party (official name :National Republicans). They have been known as the Democrats ever since.

8. The Democrats Who are most likely to belong to the party? Academia Young People Labor – “Party of the Working Class” Minorities Low Income Non-Protestants

9. The Democrats White Southerners at one time were the backbone of the party (The “Solid South”) Why??? Many White Southerners today have joined the Republican Party ranks. Why??? When did the switch begin?

10. The Democrats African Americans were once major supporters of the Republican Party. Why??? Today many African Americans belong to the Democratic Party. Why??? When did the switch begin?

11. The Democrats Modern Democrats believe in a strong central government. This is 180 degrees away from what Jefferson believed. Why did they switch ideology? When did this occur?

12. The Republicans A political cartoonist drew a donkey clothed in lion's skin, scaring away all the animals at the zoo. One of those animals, the elephant, was labeled “The Republican Vote.” That's all it took for the elephant to become associated with the Republican Party.

13. Thomas Nast – Political Cartoonist Nast also originated the idea of using animals to symbolize political parties in America. In his cartoons the Democratic Party was a donkey and the Republican Party, an elephant.

14. Thomas Nast – Political Cartoonist

15. The Republicans (G.O.P.) In 1854 Whigs, former Free Soil Party members, and ex-Democrats formed the Republican Party to oppose the spread of slavery in US territories. The Whigs faded from American politics leaving the Democrats and Republicans in a two-party system that has dominated American politics ever since. The Party took the name “republican” as a tribute to Thomas Jefferson.

16. The Republicans Who are most likely to belong to the party? Professionals College Educated Business – “Party of the Big Business” Whites Wealthy Protestants Senior Citizens Rural Americans Suburbanites

17. Third Parties Third parties form when the 2 major parties are ignoring an issue or issues. Because the focus of the party is narrow, they tend not to attract a lot of voters. Since the party is not made up of many members it is difficult to get candidates elected. (No 3 rd party president) The 2 major parties absorb the issue and make the need for the 3 rd party irrelevant.

18. Historic American 3 rd Parties Anti-Masons - 1828 Free Soil - 1836 Know Nothings - 1844 Prohibition - 1868 Liberal Republicans - 1868 Greenback - 1868 Socialist Labor – 1876 Populists - 1892 Socialist - 1900 Bull Moose (Progressive) - 1910

19. Historic American 3 rd Parties Communist – 1924 Socialist Workers – 1940 Libertarian – 1972 Reform – 1990 Constitution – 1990 Green – 1996

20. Independents Affiliated with no political party Tend to lean more to one party more than the other. Advantages: free to vote without party reservations, no political ties Disadvantages: vote for candidates others have selected, don’t vote in primaries ( closed in PA ), no party support

21. Functions of Political Parties Identify candidates to run for office Educate the public on political matters (from their perspective) Maintain locals Help conduct campaigns Fill government positions (non-Civil Service) May help with welfare work

22. Party Organization National Chairperson National Committee State Chairperson State Committee County Committees City Committees Local Precinct Workers

23. 3 Parts to a Political Party Right Wing – Conservatives Center – Moderates Left Wing – Liberals Extremists – both ends of the spectrum

24. Conservatives Opposed to change Strong support for military Strong support for business Less government involvement Less support for minorities Less support for environmental issues

25. Liberals Not opposed to change Strong support for minorities Strong support for civil rights Strong support for strong federal government Strong support for environmental issues Opposed to big military

26. Party Identification How strongly you associate with your party Strong Democrat Weak Democrat Left Leaning Independent Pure Independent Right Leaning Independent Weak Republican Strong Republican

27. Party Identification and Voting Statistics have show that there is often no direct connection between party identification and voting behavior. What factors might contribute to this phenomenon?

28. Voting Responsibility of American Citizens 18 years of age and older In order to vote: – You must be an American Citizen – You must be 18 or older (Amendment 26) – You must be registered – You must be active (vote at least once every 2 years)

29. Polling Places After the U.S. census the states are redistricted into new voting districts (roughly balanced politically and evenly by population). Each district (precinct) has a polling place – Neutral public ground (church, public building, etc.) – Each polling place has voting machines or ballot boxes – Each polling place is staffed with personnel from both parties (a judge, clerks, watchers, and challengers)

30. Polling Places/Voting Procedure: – Check in (make sure you are a registered voter) – Signature check (signed voters registration card) – Actual voting – Unless it is a presidential election, this takes only a few minutes to do.

31. Ways to Vote Straight ticket – stay within party Mixed ticket – cross party lines Absentee vote – when away from your precinct Write in vote – for someone not on the ballot Ballot – Roman word for ball, which were used in Roman voting In the U.S., we use a secret ballot – this type of ballot is referred to as an Australian Ballot.

32. Polling Places/Voting After the polls close (open 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.), the votes are counted The results (confirmed by both parties) are placed on tally sheets, certified by the judge, and then sent to the state canvassing board and/or the Secretary of State (national elections)

33. Big Swing States New Hampshire Primary and Iowa Caucus (mauve) - begin race for White House. Other States (lime) – 15 or more electoral votes. California 55 Florida 27 Georgia 15 Ohio 20 North Carolina 15 Michigan 17 Illinois 21 Pennsylvania 21 New Jersey 15 New York 31 Texas 34

34. Road to the White House 1.Announce Candidacy – “throw hat into the ring” 2.Enter Primaries and Caucuses in the states 3.Win nomination at National Convention 4.Campaign against other parties candidate 5.Election Day results 6.Electoral College

35. Campaign Contributions The following limits apply to contributions from individuals to candidates for all Federal offices: $2,300 per Election to a Federal candidate Each primary, runoff, and general election counts as a separate election. $28,500 per calendar year to a national party committee -- applies separately to a party's national committee, and House and Senate campaign committee. $10,000 per calendar year to state, district & local party committees $5,000 per calendar year to state, district & local party committee $20, 000 per calendar year to a PAC There are guidelines which candidates must follow in the spending of campaign funds.

36. Elections Primaries – determined by the state In PA – usually 3 rd Tuesday in May In a Presidential Election Year – 4 th Tuesday in April General Elections – 1 st Tuesday after the 1 st Monday in November

37. 9 Tests for the Presidential Hopeful 1.Political talent and/or connection 2.State governor (member of Congress) 3.Win Big Swing States 4.Strong support in the Northeast 5.Supported by multiple interest groups 6.Normal family life 7.Small town background 8.Anglo-Saxon 9.Protestant

38. National Conventions Purpose: For the parties to choose their presidential and vice presidential teams Held in major U.S. cities (selected by the party’s national committee) in late summer prior to Presidential Election Party delegates gather here to select the parties candidates

39. National Conventions Delegates are chosen in 3 ways: – Primary elections – State Conventions – State Committee of the Party

40. National Conventions What happens at Convention: – Platform adopted (planks) – Select Presidential Candidate – Select Vice Presidential Candidate – Elect new National Committee – Adopt new rules (if needed)

41. National Conventions Workings of Convention – National Chairman calls meeting to order – Keynote address given (praise the party) – Adopt platform – Nominations for President (alphabetically by state) – favorite sons/daughters – Voting for nominees – Results of vote – Unanimous vote – V.P. nominations and voting – Acceptance speeches – Closing of Convention

42. Types of Candidates – Incumbent – Challengers (novice or experienced) – Dark Horse

43. Role of the Media – Can make or break the candidate – Accurate reporting of candidate?? (bias) – Best way to reach voters – #1 source of information for voters. – Serves as the “watchdog” for the people – Used by candidates to advance themselves (mudslinging) – Much $$$$ spent on it (campaign budget) – Debates – Public Opinion Polls – Election Day Results

44. The Electoral College – 538 members (how is this # determined?) – Selected in advance during state conventions or elections – Each elector is committed to a candidate – When you vote you are really choosing an elector!

45. The Electoral College – If a candidate wins the state popular vote, he/she gains that state’s electoral vote (winner-take-all system) – The Electoral College gathers in their home state capitols to vote on the 1 st Monday after the 2 nd Tuesday in December – The votes are then certified by the state governors and then forwarded to the President of the Senate – The results are read by the President of the Senate before a joint session of Congress on January the 6 th.

46. The Electoral College – A vote of 270 is required to become president – Both the president and vice president are elected by the Electoral College – If the Electoral College fails, then: The House of Representatives chooses the president The Senate chooses the vice president – REMEMBER THE POPULAR VOTE DOES NOT DECIDE THE PRESIDENCY!!!! (indirect process) Obama/Biden 365 McCain/Palin 173