1. Political Parties Party Structure Today

2. National Party Structure: Dems/Reps ► Although very similar on paper, structure of national Dem party differs substantially from that of the Rep party in practice

3. National Party Structure: Dems ► Democrats, torn by ideological conflicts have evolved into a factional party emphasizing mobilization & party activists

4. National Party structure: Reps ► Rep party has become a bureaucratic party devoted to winning elections by focusing on raising money & providing consulting services to candidates

5. Results: Pres. Nominees ► Democrats have selected pres. Candidates with a liberal orientation ► Republicans have selected more moderate nominees capable of attracting middle-class voters

6. Party Structure ► These generalizations apply to national-largely presidential elections ► Two parties break down at the state & local levels where party strength varies by region

7. Party Structure ► The key organizational unit of the party structure is located at the city, county, and state levels ► National parties are little more than an affiliation of regional entities---lack any real control over them

8. Local Party Orgs. ► Five distinct type of local party orgs. have developed ► The machine ► Ideological parties ► Solidary Groups ► Sponsored parties ► Personal followings

9. Party Structure ► Various types of local parties are all important ► But increasingly, political activists who become nationally known enter that scene from interest groups (AFL-CIO, NOW, NEA, etc.)

10. Party Structure Today ► Despite the power at the local level, most Americans define the parties on the basis of their national identities

11. National Party Structure: Dems ► Democrats has been embracing aspects of the Republican party structure ► Public opinion polls, direct mail & the use of super delegates to insure a more “electable” candidate

12. Democratic National Party ► Bill Clinton was an untraditional Democratic nominee ► Alienated himself from certain African- American leaders (Jesse Jackson) ► Attacked liberal policy (welfare system) ► Pres candidate John Kerry—moderate or liberal??

13. National Republican Party ► As the Democrats moved to the center, the Republicans have become more ideological ► Some are unhappy with these developments ► Liberal Democrats complain about “selling out” ► Moderate Republican complain about the influence of the religious right

14. Political Party Structure ► The very soul of each party is up for grabs ► It is better to win or to be ideologically pure? ► Are the two goals compatible?