1. Development of American Political Parties

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.
Purpose is to control government

3. Parties in the US
The United States has a two-party system. The Republicans emerged as a major party in 1860 with the election of Abraham Lincoln. The Democratic Party formed under Andrew Jackson twenty years earlier.

4. American Politics Today
Democrats usually feel that the federal government has a responsibility to help the people through government intervention.
Democrats are generally seen as liberal.
Republicans hold the view that leaving the economy alone will allow for growth, giving people greater ability to help themselves. They believe in less regulation.
Republicans are viewed as being conservative.

5. Parties Move Towards The Center
Both parties want votes. As a result, parties become more moderate in their platforms, moving away from extreme positions.
The American people generally agree about many issues. This unity forces the two parties toward the center of the political spectrum.

6. Major Presidential Candidates - 2008
Primary election: an election in which people select party members to run in the general election (through all 50 states)
Major Presidential Candidates
Democrats
Barack Obama
Hillary Clinton
Bill Richardson
John Edwards
Christopher Dodd
Joe Biden
Dennis Kucinich
Republicans
Ron Paul
Fred Thompson
Mitt Romney
Rudolph Giuliani
John McCain
Mike Huckabee
Tom Tancredo

7. Primary Elections Primary election: There are two types:
1. Closed: only members of a political party can vote
2. Open: all voters may participate

8. National Conventions Occur every 4 yrs.
Ticket: candidates for President and Vice President
Purpose is to bring the party back together

9. National Convention
Platform: a statement of the party’s principles, beliefs, and positions on vital issues
Plank: individual parts of the platform

10. Third Parties
Any party other than the two major parties can be called a “Third party.” (aka Minor party)
Their most important role is to influence policy on one or more issues
They can also cause the votes to split

11. 2016 3rd Party Candidates on Ballot
Constitution Party
Green Party
Libertarian Party
What are the odds that one of these candidates will win the election? How much political coverage and funding do these candidates receive????

12. General Election: Electoral College
538 votes in the electoral college
Total electoral votes for each state is based on the number of representatives and senators in Congress
Washington D.C. gets 3 votes (23rd Amendment)
Must win 270 to become President
Winner-take-all system
12th Amendment: created separate ballots