Chapter 5 Section 1 What does a Political Party do?

Political Parties O “A group of persons who seek to control government through the winning of elections and the holding of public office” O In the US there are 2 major parties O Republican and Democrat O There are also many minor parties both big and small O Can you name any???? O List List

Essential to democratic government O Lead to policy developments O Different choices of who and how to govern O One way for the people to express their opinions O Theoretically they are supposed to facilitate compromise

Democrats-The Donkey O Presidential candidate Andrew Jackson was the first Democrat ever to be associated with the donkey symbol. O His opponents during the election of 1828 tried to label him a "jackass" for his “stubborn” populist beliefs and slogan, "Let the people rule." O Jackson was entertained by the notion and ended up using it to his advantage on his campaign posters. O But cartoonist Thomas Nast is credited with making the donkey the recognized symbol of the Democratic Party.

Republicans – The Elephant O Political cartoonist Thomas Nast was also responsible for the Republican Party elephant. O In a cartoon that appeared in Harper's Weekly in 1874, Nast drew a donkey clothed in lion's skin, scaring away all the animals at the zoo. One of those animals, the elephant, was labeled "The Republican Vote." That's all it took for the elephant to become associated with the Republican Party.

Thomas Nast

Major Functions of Political Parties

1. Nominating Candidates O Parties select candidates and present them to the public O There needs to be a procedure for this and the political parties are the best option O This is almost exclusively in the hands of the parties

2. Informing & Activating Supporters O Other groups can do this O BUT the parties do it the most O “this add was sponsored by the Republican National Committee” O Shapes the positions of the candidates O Gets out and informs the voters

3. Governing O Most candidates are chosen due to their party relationship and their ability to follow the party line O Partisanship = Party Line O The strong support of the party and its policies

Party Platform O A list of the principles which a political party supports in order to appeal to the general public for the purpose of having a party's candidate(s) voted into office. O This often takes the form of a list of support for, or opposition to, controversial topics. O In what ways are political parties helpful? O In what ways might they be problematic?

Can you guess the party?

Gun Control O Favor O Gun control is needed O Opposed O Gun control is unconstitutional

Minimum Wage O Favor O Increase the minimum wage to help workers O Opposed O Do not raise the minimum wage because it hurts businesses

Healthcare O Privates are preferable to government mandates O Government should require universal access to healthcare

Taxes O Increase taxes on the wealthy to pay for public programs O Cutting taxes for everyone helps the economy

Military O Increase military spending O Cut veteran’s benefits O Don’t be constrained by other nations O NATO O UN O Cut Military spending O Expand veteran’s benefits O Act in concert with other nations O NATO O UN

Death Penalty O Opposed O It is not deterrent O Innocent people are in jeopardy O Favor O The death penalty is necessary and effective