1. Political Science 101

2. Voting Trends Northeast: Democratic South (Bible Belt): Republican
Northwest & California: Democratic
Western States: Republican
Minnesota: Democratic

3. 2012 Presidential Election
Obama/Biden – 65,915,796 (51.1%)
Romney/Ryan – 60,933,500 (47.2%)

4. Electoral Votes

5. November 4th 2014

7. House , Senate, Governors.
Key/focus: Dayton, Franken, (Minnesota Elections) 8 to House of Representatives.

9. Who Votes ? 54 to 64% of Americans. College Grads Higher Income groups
Senior Citizens

10. Two Party System
1852 – Since this time every president has been from one of the two major parties.
2/3 of Americans consider themselves one or the other.

11. A Third Party ? Reform Party Green Party Libertarian Party
Independence Party
Socialist Party
Tea Party
Constitution Party

12. Third Party Issues Term Limits Tax Reform
Limit Special Interest group influence and $$$

13. Third Party Candidates
Ross Perot
Ralph Nader
Jesse Ventura

14. Republican Party 1856 (G.O.P.)
Generally recognized as conservative on issues
Pro Life
Lower Taxes, business and wealthy.
Less government spending on social programs.
Less government involved in business & economy.
A strong defense/spending on military

15. Republican Legacy Opposed Slavery. Lincoln 1st President.
Ronald Reagan : End of Cold War, U.S.S.R breaks apart in 1991.
Symbol – Elephant (1874)

16. Democrats: Often Called “The Peoples Party”
Traditionally known for…
Support of immigrants, immigration policy.
Woman’s right to choose.
Blue collar workers
Women & Minorities.
Union Labor
Liberal Stand on social issues

17. Dems. Believe federal government should take a more active role in peoples lives.

18. Democratic Legacy Franklin Roosevelt
Social programs, social security, New Deal
Thomas Jefferson (1792) Founder and 1st Democratic President.
JFK, Truman, Clinton, great presidents.

19. “Big” Government

20. Environmental Protection Agency
1970, established by Richard Nixon.
Protection of human health, environment, and natural resources. (clean air, water)

21. Department of Labor 1913- Established work related rules, laws.
Children/elderly
Women (equal pay)
Minorities/disabled
Injuries on the job.
Harassment
Work conditions

22. Natural disasters, Food, Products.
Loans & assistance: floods, hurricanes, nuclear
Food standards, quality, price, inspections.
Safety of products on shelves, toys, autos.

23. Medicine, Education,
Federal Drug Administration: Standards, quality, research & testing, price, safety.
Education: Inclusive, affordable, equitable,

24. Free Enterprise & Capitalism
(1) Product or service need.
(2) Incentive ? Profit $$$.
(3) Competition.
(4) Lower prices, product or service improves.
(5) Innovation, Investment, ideas & concepts.
(6) Free market determines supply, demand, price, survival of product or service.

25. Big Business & Big Government

26. Its All Politics!