The Last Word: Assignment 3 due tomorrow Consider: How much control do national parties exert over state and local parties?

The Organization of Political Parties Unit 3: AP Government and Politics

FIGURE 11.3: How are political parties organized?

11.2 The National Party  The national chairperson Chief fundraiser and spokesperson Republican National Chairman (2 year term)- Reince Priebus On January 14, 2011, after seven rounds of voting, Priebus was elected chairman of the Republican National Committee; incumbent chairman Michael Steele had bowed out of the race after trailing in the early rounds of voting.’ **Re-elected in 2013 Democratic Nat’l Chairperson- Debbie Wasserman-Schultz On April 5, 2011, Vice President Joe Biden announced that Wasserman Schultz was President Barack Obama's choice to succeed Tim Kaine as the 52nd Chair of the Democratic National Committee. Elected by the vote of the DNC members; she “joins President Obama at the helm” of the party

11.2 The National Party  The national committee Coordinates national convention and presidential campaign Democratic National Committee (DNC) Republican National Committee (RNC)

The Last Word: Assignment 4 due Tuesday; Hayden Monday Consider: What do political parties do?

11.2 The National Convention  Every four years Present a positive image of the candidate Serve as pep rallies The Message:  Delegates Formerly selected by party leaders, now often elected in primary elections and caucuses  Superdelegates Who are they? Allow Democratic Party elites some control over which candidate gets nominated Controversial; are they democratic?

11.2 State and Local Parties  Roots of the party Virtually all government regulation of political parties is handled by the states Vast majority of party leadership positions are held at state and local level.  Precinct Smallest voting unit; fundamental building block of the party

Levels of party involvement Party rank-and-file –People who register and vote for the party regularly Party regulars –Work the polls, take non-leadership roles in party, contribute money; getting candidate elected most important Party activists –Deeply concerned about party functions, highly involved in electoral process; donate funds –Demand a strong voice in local and state party policy Party purists –Put ideology ahead of winning elections; will withhold support if they disagree with candidate

11.2 Informal Groups  Official and semi-official groups Affiliations of state and local party women Affiliations with college campus organizations  Supportive interest groups Provide money and labor; labor unions, chambers of commerce  Think tanks Institutional collections of policy-oriented researchers and academics Heritage Foundation, Council on Foreign Relations

What Political Parties Do Unit 3: AP Government and Politics

11.3 Running Candidates for Office  Raising money Well-developed networks of donors Raise money and disseminate it to candidates

11.3 Running Candidates for Office  Mobilizing support and getting out the vote Public opinion polls and tracking surveys Create TV advertisements “Get out the vote” Election Day activities

Formulating and Promoting Policy  National Party Platform Most visible instrument used to formulate, convey, and promote public policy Each party develops a lengthy platform outlining its positions Programs of 2/3rds of winning party and ½ of losing party at least partly enacted.

11.3 Organizing Government  The presidential party President is informal party leader  Parties in the federal courts  Judges are creatures of party, despite the fact that they are not elected  Parties in state government  Candidates at state level rely more on party for support  Governors much more involved in legislature in many states  Some state judges appointed by nonpartisan commission (Missouri system), and some are elected (criticized by some)

Party Unity “scores”

Explore Political Parties: Which Party Governs Better? _12/pex/pex11.html 11.3