Political Parties

The Role of Political Parties Build stable legislative and electoral alliances Mobilize voters Choose candidates and get them elected Inform and stimulate the public

Party Differences Democrats Pro-choice Gun control Liberal Government involvement

Party Differences Republicans Pro-life Anti-gun control Conservative Limited government involvement

U.S. Parties vs. European Parties United States Primaries, party has less of a role Candidate runs the campaign Elected officials often vote against party line Citizens vote more based on issues and the candidate’s personality Europe Party selects candidate Party runs campaign Elected officials vote party line Citizens vote based on party labels

Development and Evolution of the U.S. Party System

First Party System: The Founding 1789-1824 Founders believed that factions were motivated by self-interest The first parties were small coalitions based more on geography and class than on common economic interests First two parties Federalists (Hamilton)- New England Republicans (Jefferson)- South

Second Party System: Jacksonians 1828-1854 Two Parties Democrats (Jackson) Whigs (opponents of Jackson) Political participation became a mass phenomenon Replaced the caucus system with the party convention Organized the parties at local levels

Third Party System: Civil War & Sectionalism 1856-1896 Rise of the Republican Party Party was made up of old Whigs and Democrats who opposed slavery Party Machinery Gave favors in exchange for votes Two factions developed within each party Republican Party Stalwarts or Old Guard Mugwumps or Progressives

Fourth Party System: Era of Reform 1896-1932 Progressive Era Reforms Civil Service Exam Australian Ballot- secret ballot Primary Elections Ended Patronage

Fifth Party System: 1932 to Present Party line voting declined, and ticket splitting increased Voters become more indifferent to parties Increase in Third Parties Rise in Divided Government

Party Realignments

Party Realignments 1800- the Jeffersonian Republicans defeated the Federalists 1828- the Jacksonian Democrats came to power 1860- the Whig Party collapses and the Republicans under Lincoln come to power 1896- the Republicans defeat William Jennings Bryan 1932- the Democrats under Roosevelt come to power

The National Party Structure

The National Party Structure National Convention Every 4 years Purpose Select presidential nominee Write party platform National Committee Run the general operations of the party Raise money Help candidates

National Party Structure National Chairperson Purpose Run day-to-day operations Republican: Reince Priebus Democratic: Tim Kaine

Local Level Organization The Machine Party Machine Ideological Parties Parties based around values Solidarity Groups People participate in politics for the social elements Sponsored Parties A group sponsors a party Example: United Auto Workers (UAW)

Campaigns and Elections

Function of the Election Elections have 2 crucial phases Getting nominated Getting elected

Congressional Elections vs. Presidential Elections Presidential Campaigns Congressional Campaigns Produce the largest voter turnout Presidential candidate must work harder and spend more $ More competitive Rely more on mass media Responsible for the “mess in D.C.” The incumbent often wins These candidates only need to be appealing to the more motivated voter Congress does things for their constituents that a president cannot Congress can pass the blame for the “mess in D.C.”

Presidential Election Process Each state holds a primary or caucus between January and June to determine candidates for parties The Iowa Caucus (Feb. 12) is the first real test of a candidate trying for president Candidates then enter into general elections against the other political parties

Congressional Elections If you are running against an incumbent in Congress then the odds are against you Districting in the House is always an issue Malapportionment Gerrymandering The Constitution requires reapportionment every 10 years

Congressional Qualifications House of Representatives Senate 25 years of age Citizen of the U.S. for 7 years Must be an inhabitant of the state elected 30 years of age Citizen of the U.S. for 9 years Must be an inhabitant of the state elected

Campaign Issues There are two kinds of campaign issues Position Issues Valence Issues

T.V., Debates & Direct Mail Television The role of T.V. ads in determining the outcome of an election is minimal Debates The drawback to candidates of T.V. visuals and debates are verbal slips Mail Direct mail is the best way to reach all the supporters of a certain issue in a certain area

Campaign Financing Study Pages 200-206

Running for President Money Organization Strategy and Themes Fund-raisers, lawyers, accountants, media consultants, advisors, pollsters, etc. Staff of hundreds Strategy and Themes Tone, theme, timing, target

Running for Congress Incumbents have huge advantage Franking privileges Cater to distrust by public of federal gov “Run against Congress, not for it.” Sophomore surge Newly elected members become strong in their districts very quickly

What Decides the Election? Political Party Republicans tend to be more loyal than Democrats Republicans do better with Independent voters Issues Prospective v. Retrospective Voting Campaign Campaigns allow voter to see a candidate under pressure