Political Parties in Our Democracy The Role of Political Parties
How Parties Help Political party – an organization of citizens who wish to influence and control government by getting their members elected to office Selecting Candidates – nominate (name) candidates to run for public office 500,000 elected officials in the U.S.
How Parties Help Setting Goals Platform – statement of a party’s official stand on major public issues Plank – position statements on each specific issue in party platform Providing Leadership (in executive/legislative branches) “Watchdogs” – minority party watches majority
How Parties Help Citizens Citizens’ Voice in Government Elected representation Interests, values, beliefs, goals Informing Citizens Arranging meetings with candidates Canvass (door-to-door) Involving Citizens Campaigning (2008!!!)
Our two-party system
A Brief History The Role of Third Parties Importance of Third Parties Gain publicity in Presidential election years Support specific issue or area of public policy Difficult to get on ballot Difficult to win elections Importance of Third Parties Election of 2000 Nader Ross Perot & the national debt (1992) won 19% of popular vote
Characteristics of Today’s Parties Democratic = bigger government (more social programs) Republicans = generally for less government involvement (free markets) Taxes Unions Welfare More differences
Party Similarities Appeal to broad base of support (rich/poor, rural/urban) Organization Local/state/national organization Grass roots (individual involvement and change from the ground up) Precincts (voting districts) Locally elected officials run elections National conventions
Supporting a Party Patronage – party leaders do favors for loyal supporters Appointments Parties in campaigns Can work outside the definition of party platform Voter Loyalty Straight ticket – voting candidates of one party (party loyalty) Split ticket – voting for candidates of more than one party (issue voting) Independent voters – voters who do not support a particular party.
Choosing the Candidates
NOMINATIONS Three options of nominations: Self-nomination – declaring that you are running for office Write-In Candidates – one who asks voters to write his/her name in on the ballot Caucus – a meeting of party leaders to discuss issues or choose candidates
PRIMARIES The primary elections usually begin in February and ends in early June. Michigan’s is August 7, 2012 This gives the political party an idea of who would be their most successful candidate for president. THREE TYPES: DIRECT – members of a political party choose candidates to run for office **Most candidates chosen this way** CLOSED – voters must be registered with that particular party in order to vote in their primary OPEN – voters do not need to declare a party before voting
HOW EXACTLY DO PRIMARIES WORK?
NATIONAL CONVENTIONS At the national conventions, delegates from Democrats National Convention was held from Charlotte, NC from September 3-7, 2012 Republicans National Convention was held in August 27- 31, 2012 in Tampa, Florida At the national conventions, delegates from each state vote on one candidate to become that party’s official candidate for the presidency!
NATIONAL CONVENTIONS…
SO MANY CANDIDATES! The reason primaries are so important is because they reduce the number of candidates running for each party. Why is this important?
SO WHO ARE THE CANDIDATES?
THE DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATE
BARACK OBAMA Reelected in 2012 U.S. Senator from Illinois Illinois State Senator Graduated from Harvard Law School and was the first African American to serve as the president of the Harvard Law Review.
THE REPUBLICAN CANDIDATE
MITT ROMNEY From Michigan Governor of Massachusetts from 2002 Not as socially conservative Known for business-like approach to politics
Libertarian Heritage & preservation of liberty Personal responsibility Freedom from government Self-ownership Tolerance
The Libertarian Gary Johnson Former Governor of New Mexico
The Green Party Grassroots democracy Social justice & equal opportunity Ecological wisdom Non-violence Respect for diversity Decentralization
The Green Party Jill Stein Physician, MA Very active in politics regarding environmental issues Received numerous environmental awards
The Constitution Party Also known as the U.S. Taxpayers Party Formed in 1992 Pro-life, pro-gun Strong national defense Restore literal interpretation of Constitution
The Constitution Party Virgil Goode Former Representative to U.S. Congress
Citizen’s United v. FEC http://www.pbs.org/newshour/extra/features/us/jan- june10/scotus_01-22.html http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AuqSELPyNSo&feature=rellist &playnext=1&list=PLUQGFBKLUC12GSS93WBT2OA1LEDJCW72B