1. CHAPTER 5 SECTION 4 PAGE 142-146 “PARTY ORGANIZATION”

2. THE DECENTRALIZED NATURE OF THE PARTIES Highly decentralized, fragmented, and often plagued by factions and internal squabbling No chain of command running from the national to state to local levels

3. THE ROLE OF THE PRESIDENCY More solidly united, better organized than the other major party Other party: Seldom any one person can truly be called leader of the party.

4. THE IMPACT OF FEDERALISM Major reason for decentralized nature of the two major political parties ½ million elected offices in the U.S.

5. THE NOMINATING PROCESS Candidate slection is an intraparty process (nominations made within the party) Nominating process a divisive one (members of party go against each other to win nomination)

6. NATIONAL PARTY MACHINERY The National Convention Picks party’s presidential and vice-presidential candidates Adopts party platform and adoption of party’s rules The National Committee Party’s affairs handled RNC & DNC The Congressional Campaign Committees

7. National Chairperson Leader of the national committee Choice is made by the just nominated presidential candidate and ratified by the national committee Directs the work of the Party’s headquarters and its professional staff in D.C. Focus on national convention and presidential elections Strengthen the party and its fortunes

8. Congressional Campaign Committee Work to reelect incumbents and to make sure that “open seats” seats given up by retiring members Chosen by colleagues (2 year terms)

9. STATE AND LOCAL PARTY MACHINERY The State Organization Built around a state central committed headed by a State chairperson Fronts for the governor, a U.S. senator Work to further the party’s interest

10. Local Organization Follow a electoral map of the state, with a party unit for each district in which elective offices are to be filled. Ward Precinct Larger cities, party’s organization is further broken down by residential blocks