Key topic: POLITICAL PARTIES is about the roles political parties play in government.

Friday, April 12, 2013 What do third parties organize around? FW Notes Functions of political parties Solpass (political parties drag and drop) Focus Work: What do third parties organize around?

Political parties Third Parties* Rarely win Provides citizens the opportunity to participate in the political process Recruit and nominate candidates Educate the voters about campaign issues Help candidates win elections and monitor officeholders Third Parties* Organized around new ideas or issues (TEA party; Green Party) OR around a personality (Teddy Roosevelt and the Bull Moose Party) Rarely win Influence the outcome of an election

Republican Democratic Party Party Liberal: favorable to progress (moving forward) in politics and social issues Ex: support gay marriage Collective ideal: we do better when we all work together Republican Party Conservative: preserve existing conditions; limit change Ex: wanting an amendment that defines marriage as between a man and woman Individual over collective: what I earn is mine, what you earn is yours-no helping

Ideology: political belief system Similarities of political parties Organized to WIN!! Want to influence public policy Show both liberal and conservative views Appeal to the “political center” to get the most votes Differences in political parties Differences are listed in the party platform (lists the beliefs of the party and its candidate on the issues. Ideology: political belief system Ideology reflected in campaign

Moderate: a person who avoids the extremes of either party POLITICAL SPECTRUM Liberal Moderate: a person who avoids the extremes of either party (most voters) **This is where candidates aim their campaigns to get the most voters possible Conservative

Key Topic: Political Campaigns and the role of media in politics Is about… The way the media presents candidates, informs citizens, and influences the public agenda.

TV, newspaper, radio, internet Mass media TV, newspaper, radio, internet Helps keep citizens informed so they make educated, informed choices when they vote Identify candidates, emphasize issues, publish op-ed (opinion editorials), broadcast different points of view

Impact of media on public opinion and public policy(issues) Media keeps citizens informed Media keeps government officials informed Govt. officials use media to communicate with the public (speeches, debates, press conferences) Media influences public agenda (issues people think are important) Focus attention on selected issues Offers a forum (discussion) to show opposing points of view Helps to hold government officials accountable for what they say.

Thursday, April 18, 1023 FW Notes Campaign websearch During a political campaign, from what form of media do you think people get their information?

Citizen use of the media Evaluate campaign speeches, ads, and literature Evaluate sources, Separate fact from fiction Detect bias (prejudice) and propaganda (deliberate spread of lies/rumors to hurt)

Campaign costs are rising Running for elected office is expensive Campaign costs are rising Fund-raising activities by candidates are getting more frequent High costs of a campaign limit opportunities to run for office (some candidates just can’t afford it) The advantage goes to the wealthy who run for office

High cost of political campaigns encourages the use of special interest groups to secure money for the campaign Issue oriented special interest groups are called PACs (Political Action Committees) Offer a way for an individual to donate money to a candidate. Teachers (VEA) Labor unions (Teamsters)

Individual donates to PAC PAC donates money to candidate Candidate uses money for campaign

Ways PACs influence public policy (course of action by the government) Identify issues they think are important EX: VEA is against the SOLs Making political contributions to candidate EX: Obama does not like the No Child Left Behind Act and wants it repealed or altered=VEA backing him as a candidate Lobbying government officials for their vote on issue “Hey, remember that donation we made…” “We may be able to make a donation if…”

Name three ways that citizens use the media. Thursday, April 25, 2013 FW AN Notes FW: Name three ways that citizens use the media.

HOMEWORK PACKET DUE FRIDAY ALL COMPLETED!

Individuals can also influence public policy Lobbying: Trying to influence legislators to vote for or against a particular bill Ways individuals can influence public policy Participate in politics (voting, campaigning) Express opinions (lobbying, demonstrating) Join Public Interest Groups Make donations

Campaign Finance Reform Efforts to reform how politicians raise money due to the increased costs Attempt to limit the amount of money individuals can contribute to political candidates Most political candidates do not want reform: they are afraid they won’t get the money they need.

VOTER REGISTRATION AND PARTICIPATION Only citizens who register can participate in primary elections and in general elections.

Qualifications to register and vote in Virginia Citizen of the US Resident of Virginia AND the voting district 18 years old by the day of the election Register at the DMV, registrars office, or by mail Registration closes 22 days before an election

Presidential elections Larger turnout than in state or local elections Factors for lack of voter turnout (why people don’t vote) Lack of interest Failure to register Factors in predicting which citizens will vote education income age

Electoral College—the way the president is elected! Winner takes all system Favors two party system 538 votes in Electoral College 270 needed to win Each state has electors and those electors meet to cast vote for President and Vice President after the November election

Virginia voters vote for President at their local voting poll. The state goes to Obama 52% Obama 48% Romney Electors meet and cast vote for the state they represent. Elector casts Virginia’s 13 electoral votes for Obama.