1. Democrat vs. Republican

2. Symbol- Democrat Donkey
This symbol was first associated with Democrat Andrew Jackson in His opponents called him a “jackass.”
It gained popularity among Democrats who consider themselves strong willed, like a donkey. Republicans like to use it because they see Democrats as stubborn.

3. Symbol- Republican Elephant
Cartoonist Thomas Nast gave Republicans the Elephant symbol in 1874 to mock them as a big party which tries to scare away others.
It gained popularity among Republicans who consider themselves strong and dignified, like the elephant. Democrats like to use it because they see Republicans as slow moving.

4. Political Spectrum- Democrat
Left
Liberal

5. Political Spectrum- Republican
Right
Conservative

6. Leaders- Democrat President Obama, Sec of State Hilary
Clinton, Former President Bill Clinton,
Former President John F. Kennedy, NC
Governor Bev Perdue, NC Senator Kay
Hagan, NC Representative Mel Watt

7. Leaders- Republican Former President George W. Bush, Senator
John McCain, Former President George
Bush, Former President Ronald Reagan,
NC Senator Richard Burr, NC
Representative Virginia Foxx

8. Typical Supporters- Democrat
Women Catholics
African Americans Poorer Citizens
Younger Citizens Educated Citizens
Northern US Western US

9. Typical Supporters- Republican
Men Christians
White Americans Wealthier Citizens
Older Citizens Middle Class
Southern US Midwest US

10. Size of the Government- Democrat
Large & directly
involved with
citizen’s lives

11. Size of the Government- Republican
Small & indirectly
involved with
citizen’s lives

12. Want to tax the rich more
Taxes- Democrat
Support more taxes
Want to tax the rich more
and the poor less

13. Taxes- Republican Support less taxes Want to tax the rich less
and tax everyone similarly

14. Welfare- Democrat
Support
Favor
programs
for the poor

15. Welfare- Republican
Against
Do not favor
programs for
the poor

16. Minimum Wage- Democrat
Increase
Helps the
poor

17. Minimum Wage- Republican
Decrease
Hurts
businesses to
pay higher
salaries

18. Business Regulation- Democrat
Increase
Want to
control
businesses
more

19. Business Regulation- Republican
Decrease
Want to
control
businesses
less

20. Military Spending- Democrat
Decrease
Spend less
on the
military

21. Military Spending- Republican
Increase
Spend more
on the
military

22. Foreign Aid- Democrat
Increase
Help poor
countries

23. Foreign Aid- Republican
Decrease
Help America
before other
countries

24. Gun Control- Democrat
Increase
Stricter laws
to decrease
crime

25. Gun Control- Republican
Decrease
Stricter laws
do not mean
less crime

26. Death Penalty- Democrat
Against
Cruel and
unusual
punishment

27. Death Penalty- Republican
Support
Not cruel
and unusual
punishment

28. Affirmative Action- Democrat
Support
Help
minorities

29. Affirmative Action- Republican
Against
Hurts
non-minorities

30. Abortion- Democrat
Support
Pro-Choice

31. Abortion- Republican
Against
Pro-Life

32. Healthcare- Democrat
Support
Want free
healthcare
for all
Americans

33. Healthcare- Republican
Against
Should not
provide free
healthcare,
people should
get their own

34. Education- Democrat
National
Government
control

35. Education- Republican
State
Government
control

36. Environment- Democrat
More laws protecting it
Against new gas, oil, and mineral exploration

37. Environment- Republican
Less laws protecting it
Support new gas, oil, and mineral exploration