1. POLITICAL PARTIES: WHAT DO THEY DO?

2. WHAT DO POLITICAL PARTIES DO? RoleDescription Select candidatesParties select candidates, present them to voters and work to win elections Educate votersParties inform people by presenting information about issues or beliefs through pamphlets, newspapers, radio, tv, speeches, conventions

3. Roles, continued… GovernThose who govern are chosen on the basis of party. Finance campaigns Parties raise money to ensure that candidates have financial support to run their campaigns

4. Roles, continued… WatchdogThe party that is not in power criticizes the policies of the party in power.”

5. POLITICAL PARTIES: WHO ARE THEY? WHAT DO THEY WANT? DEMOCRATS AND REPUBLICANS

6. DEMOCRATS TODAY Democrats Perceived as the party of big government Support Civil rights Women ’ s rights Environmentalism Programs for the poor Pacifism (slow to go to war)

7. FACES OF THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY Who is who? Barack Obama Hillary Clinton Andrew Cuomo Joe Biden

9. REPUBLICANS TODAY! Republicans Support public policies that limit the size of government Cut taxes and programs Typically support the War on Terror Usually against legalization of abortion (pro-life) Usually vote against programs to increase the size of the welfare state.

10. FACES OF THE REPUBLICAN PARTY Who is who? Mitt Romney Chris Christie Marco Rubio John McCain

12. MAP OF 2012 PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION RESULTS http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp- srv/special/politics/election-map-2012/president/

13. WHERE THEY STAND ON THE ISSUES Size of Government: Democrats: Generally favor a large government Republicans: Generally in favor of a smaller government Taxes Democrats: Tend to believe in a balanced budget and are willing to raise taxes if needed (Wealthy pay larger percentage than the poor). Republicans: Against raising taxes

14. NATIONAL DEFENSE AND SECURITY Military Spending Democrats: Tend to cut military budget Republicans: Believe in a strong military and military spending. Military Intervention Democrats: Generally want to avoid military intervention. Believe in peaceful talks. (Slow to War) Republicans: Believe in using military intervention more quickly to protect American interests

15. ENTITLEMENTS- WELFARE, MEDICAID, SOCIAL SECURITY, HEALTH CARE Democrats: Think that the government should provide a broad safety net (health care, welfare, food stamps) for the poor and others. Republicans: Generally think the government should limit or reduce the safety net for the poor.

16. MORE STANCES Crime and Punishment: Dems – Rehabilitation programs, rights of accused Reps – Longer prison sentences, favor death penalty Values – Same Sex Marriage, Equality, Civil Rights: Dems - Tend to support the right for same-sex couples to marry Reps - Tend to oppose the right for same-sex couples to marry

17. STANCE ON ISSUES Education: Dems - Tend to be pro-education Reps - Tend to support cuts in education Immigration: Dems – Favor looser immigration laws Some favor “Amnesty” for illegals already in the country Reps - Favor stricter immigration laws Some favor punishment or deportation for illegals already in the country

18. CHECK OUT HOW EACH PARTY FEELS ABOUT ISSUES THAT ARE IMPORTANT TO YOU? WHICH PARTY DO YOU AGREE WITH? WHICH PARTY DO YOU AGREE WITH? Democrats Republicans