Political Parties
What is a Political Party? A political party is a group of voters, activists, candidates, and office holders who identify with a party label and seek to elect individuals to public office.
Political Parties are… At the most basic level, a political party is a group of office holders, candidates, activists, and voters who identify with a group label and seek to elect to public office individuals who run under that label. Ours is a centrist party system. Our parties tend not to be as ideological as parties in other countries.
What makes up a Party? Parties are composed of committees that raise campaign funds, coordinate election activities, formulate policies, and recruit members
Political Parties are… Our system contains two major parties The Democratic Party and the Republican Party. We also have a number of minor or third parties at any given time. Among the more important third parties today are the Reform Party and the Libertarian Party.
What is a Party Platform? A formal statement of beliefs, opinions, and policy stands tied together by a set of underlying principles based on the party’s ideological orientation.
The Party Platform Formulating the Party Platform is the most important and visible job that political parties contribute to in American politics Every four years officials, activists, and the nominee for president compile the party’s position on a variety of issues The platform is usually unveiled at the Party Convention
Examples of Party Platforms Republicans 2004 “A Safer World and a More Hopeful America” 2001 and 2003 tax cuts essential Iraqi invasion necessary for safety Pro-life No same-sex marriage; ratify new amendment which says marriage is between a man and a woman Democrats 2004 “Strong at Home, Respected in the World” Tax cuts created more deficit WMD search was a failure Pro-choice Opposed Constitutional amendment concerning marriage
Where do I belong?? Party identification is often a voter's central political reference symbol. Party identification generally come from one's parents. However party ID can be affected by a number of factors such as education, peers, charismatic personalities, cataclysmic events, and intense social issues.
Competitive Parties = Close Elections A significant trend of recent times is the demise of one-party voting One party voting means the dominance of elections in a given region One-party dominance among states is declining due to population shifts and increased voter mobility. The formerly Democratic "Solid South" is no more - instead solidly Republican with Democrats fighting for seats and power
Democrats and Republicans: Dominance Since 1860 From the presidential elections of 1860 to the present, the same two major parties have contested elections in the United States: Democrats and Republicans: Civil War-Reconstruction Republican dominance 1876-1896 Closely competitive 1896-1929 1930s and 1940s Democratic dominance 1950s and 1960s 1970-present Neither party completely dominant
Loyalty Trends (today)- Democratic Liberals tend to be Democrats The Northeast and West tend to vote for Democrats Catholics* and Jews are mostly Democrats Labor union members tend to vote Democratic Democrats have a lead in garnering the women's votes Over 80% of African Americans; Hispanics vote 3 to 1 Democratic Young people are more Democratic The more highly educated vote for Democrats (Be careful here: high school diploma or advanced degrees NOT college attendees or graduates) Most blue collar workers and unemployed are Democrats The widowed are mostly Democrats The single are mostly Democrats
Loyalty Trends (today) Republican Conservatives tend to be Republican Professionals, executives, and white collar workers tend to be Republican Chamber of Commerce members tend to vote Republican!! The South and Midwest tends to be more Republican today Men tend to split fairly evenly between the two parties, but are more conservative Cuban Americans are generally Republicans (anti- Castro) White Protestants tend to be Republican (WASP’s) Married couples tend to be Republican