Political Parties, Candidates, and Campaigns: Defining the Voter’s Choice Chapter 8

Party Competition and Majority Rule: The History of U.S. Parties The first parties Federalists Republicans Republicans transform into Democrats Andrew Jackson & grassroots parties Dependent upon voter support Democrats vs. Whigs © 2009 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved.

Party Competition and Majority Rule: The History of U.S. Parties Republicans vs. Democrats Enduring two-party system since Civil War Partisan realignments during crises © 2009 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved.

Party Competition and Majority Rule: The History of U.S. Parties Process of realignment Issues  disruption of existing political order Election  shift in support © 2009 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved.

Party Competition and Majority Rule: The History of U.S. Parties Process of realignment Stronger party  major change in policy Dominant party  lasting impact on policy © 2009 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved.

Party Competition and Majority Rule: The History of U.S. Parties History of realignments Civil War—Republicans gain control 1896—Republicans solidify control 1932—Democrats gain control © 2009 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved.

Party Competition and Majority Rule: The History of U.S. Parties Today’s party alignment Republicans Dominant in South Conservative stance on social issues, domestic spending Frequently on cusp of political dominance since 1968 © 2009 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved.

Party Competition and Majority Rule: The History of U.S. Parties Today’s party alignment Democrats Dominant in Northeast Liberal on social issues and domestic spending Less dominant party since 1968 © 2009 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved.

Party Competition and Majority Rule: The History of U.S. Parties Parties and the vote Strength of party identification Rarity of true independents Prospective voting vs. retrospective voting © 2009 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved.

Electoral and Party Systems Single-member-district system Policies & coalitions in two-party system Seeking the center Party coalitions © 2009 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved.

Electoral and Party Systems Minor (third) parties Single-issue parties Factional parties Ideological parties Reform parties? © 2009 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved.

© 2009 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved. Party Organization Weakening of party organizations Primary election/direct primary Decline in patronage © 2009 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved.

© 2009 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved. Party Organization Structure & role of party organizations Local party organizations State party organizations © 2009 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved.

© 2009 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved. Party Organization Structure & role of party organizations National party organizations Structure of the national parties The parties and money Hard money/soft money 527 groups © 2009 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved.

Candidate-Centered Campaign Campaign funds: money chase Organization and strategy: hired guns Candidate packaging © 2009 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved.

Candidate-Centered Campaign Voter contacts: pitched battles Air wars Ground wars Web wars © 2009 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved.

Parties, Candidates, Public’s Influence Stronger relationships between voters and representatives Weaker relationships between voters and representative institutions © 2009 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved.

Parties, Candidates, Public’s Influence Candidate-centered campaigns add flexibility Candidate-centered campaigns decrease accountability © 2009 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved.