Development of Political Parties Green Party Libertarians Development of Political Parties Elections Democrats Republicans

A Political Party Definition A group of people with broad common interests who organize to win elections, control government, and thereby influence government policies.

Tasks of Political Parties Pick Candidates Run Campaigns Give Cues to Voters Articulate Policies Coordinate Policymaking

2012 Republican Primary These six men (others had dropped out already) competed in a primary election in every state to determine which one would run against Pres. Obama in the General Election Closed Primary states – only Republicans could vote for which Republican candidate they wanted Open Primary states – either Democrats or Republicans could vote for which candidate they wanted to be the Republican nominee

One Party Systems Usually authoritarian nations: Cuba China Vietnam North Korea Iran (Theocracy)

Multi-Party Systems France – 5 major parties Italy – 10 major parties Great Britain – 2 major parties Israel – 7 major parties U.S. – 2 major parties

Political Parties in U.S. Major Republican Democratic Minor Libertarian Green Constitution                                                                                          

The Republican Party Nickname: The Grand Old Party (The GOP) More conservative More business oriented Stronger on military issues/national security Pro-Iraq War Prefer smaller national government Promote “family values” (strong morals) Pro-life (anti-abortion) Less likely to support gay rights issues Business and industry trumps environment

The Republican Party Red States Who traditionally supports the Republican Party? Large businesses Wealthier people Southerners who may actually be registered Democrats Conservative religious groups Military Red States

The Democratic Party More liberal and/or progressive More diverse (race, ethnicity) More “people” oriented (services) Believe that government can solve problems Comfortable with larger government Generally oppose the Iraq war (at least now) Pro-Choice Generally supports gay rights Concerned about the environment

The Democratic Party Blue States Who traditionally supports the Poorer people Working class (unions) Minorities Highly educated people (intellectuals) Blue States

Ideologies of American parties overlap. Republicans Democrats Where are independents?

What Is A 3rd Party? In American politics, any political party (other than the Democratic or Republican parties) is called a 3rd party.

Major 3rd Parties in the U.S. Libertarian Green Party Constitution Party

Political Parties in U.S. Other U.S. Political Parties (3rd Parties) America First Party Centrist Party Independence Party of U.S. Marijuana Party Socialist Party (6 different versions) Reform Party

Google: American Political Parties Full List of 3rd Parties Google: American Political Parties

Why do we have 3rd parties? Single-issue party Ideological party Splinter party Socialist Party Bull Moose Party

Impact of 3rd Parties Sometimes they change the outcome of elections Promote ideas (often adopted by major parties)

Obstacles to 3rd Parties Often can’t get on ballot People often view minor parties as a “wasted” vote Single-Member Districts Financing

Nominating Candidates

Schedule for Campaigns 2-3 years before election, the candidate is deciding to run and traveling around the country making speeches and drumming up support. 2 years before election, the candidate forms a planning committee. 1½ years before the election, the candidate formally announces and begins “running”.

Schedule for Campaigns 1 year before election, primaries begin in New Hampshire and Iowa. 6 months before election, each state has its own convention. 4 months before election, both parties hold national convention. 4 months before election, the “official” campaign season begins.

Schedule for Campaigns The election finally arrives on 1st Tuesday after the 1st Monday in November. This election actually elects the “electors.” The “electors” cast their votes in December. The “electors” votes are formally counted in late December. The new President takes office in early January.

How Candidates Are Selected Four ways Caucuses (usually a meeting) Nominating Conventions Primary Elections Petitions

How Candidates Are Selected Caucus Process A precinct caucus meets, delegates are elected to district District meeting elects delegates to state convention State convention elects delegates to national convention

How Candidates Are Selected Primary Process Local precinct elects “pledged” delegates to district convention. District convention elects delegates to state convention. State convention elects delegates to national convention.

Primary Elections Direct Primary Election Closed Primary (only party members) Open Primary (all voters)

The Texas Two-Step Precinct holds primary election to determine votes for candidates. After polls close (7:00 pm) for local primary election, anyone who voted in the primary can attend the precinct caucus to elect delegates to district convention.

Primary Elections “Established leaders hate primaries for good reason … Primaries suck up and waste large sums of money from contributors who might better be tapped for the November finals … The charges and counter charges of primary civil war provide the enemy party with ammunition it can later use with blast effect …” Theodore H. White, 1961 Presidential Historian

“Beauty Contests” More than half of states with primaries hold “beauty contests” which are preference polls in which voters indicate which candidate they choose. Caucuses later choose the actual candidate.

“Beauty Contests” You will see this term on a test and may be asked to explain how it relates to political contests.

Problems with Primaries Extend over too long a time Too costly Exhausting for candidates Too many opportunities for candidates to “stumble” Tend to make the image of candidate (personality and appearance) more important than issues

Problems with Primaries Normally, few people vote in primaries If candidates lose early, they “die” politically Small states want to be first, second or third Large states, with later primaries, are left out National conventions are usually “rubber-stamps”

Please Note: Last year’s race for the nomination from the Democratic Party was very different and not normal for races in the last 50 years.

National Conventions Media events Establish Platform Big show for nominating the candidates Select the Vice-Presidential candidate