1. Political Parties, Candidates. and Campaigns

2. The Meaning of Party
Political Party: voluntary associations of people who seek to control the government through common principles based upon peaceful and legal actions, ie. Winning elections.
Parties can be thought of in three parts:
Party in the electorate
Party as an organization
Party in government

3. Party Systems One –Party System: no real choice
Two- Party System: minor parties have little effect. Single-member districts promote this type of system
Multi- Party System: usually the result of proportional representation voting rather than single-member districts.

4. Function of Political Parties
Fundamental goal: win elections, control the political system, and enact their agenda.

5. What Political Parties Do
Tasks of the Parties
Serve as Linkage Institution: bring together the people and the government while holding the government responsible for its actions.
Recruit Candidates
Nominate and support: raise money, run campagins
Educate and influence the electorate
Get information out : mailings, social media
- Organize the government
Oppose : “loyal opposition”
Differ from interest groups

6. The Meaning of Party Parties, Voters, and Policy: The Downs Model
Rational-choice theory: Assumes that individuals act in their own best interest, weighing the pros & cons.
Figure 8.1

7. The Party in the Electorate
These are the voters in an election.
Ticket-splitting:
Voting for candidates of different parties.
Year
Dem
Ind
Rep
1964
52.2 23
24.8
1976
40.2
36.8
23.0
1988
35.7
36.3
28.0
2000
34.8
41.0
24.2

8. Party Identification and Membership
Membership voluntary
Factors that influence party identification
Ideology race or ethnicity
Education Gender
Income Religion
Occupation Family tradition
Region of the country marital status

9. Vote of Selected Demographic Groups in Recent Presidentaial Elections

11. Party Eras in American History
Why a Two Party Tradition in America
historical Roots
electoral system
Election laws

12. Party Development 1796-1800: The First Party System Party Development
Madison warned of “factions”
First party were the Federalists :

13. Democratic Domination
Jackson and the Democrats Versus the Whigs
Modern party founded by Jackson
Whigs formed mainly in opposition to Democrats
William Henry aHarrison
Zachary Taylor

14. Republican Domination
: The Two Republican Eras
Republicans rose as the antislavery party
1896 election revolved around the gold standard

15. Return to Democrats 1932-1968: The New Deal Coalition
Forged by the Democrats- relied upon urban working class, ethnic groups, Catholics and Jews, the poor, Southerners

16. Divided Government 1968-Present: The Era of Divided Party Government
Party dealignment- disengagement of people from parties
Party neutrality- people are indifferent towards the two parties
Figure 8.3

17. Dealignment / Realignment
Electoral Dealignment :
Significant number of voters no longer support a particular party.
Electoral Realignment
Minority party becomes the stronger than the Majority
Critical election.
Shift of voting patterns and formation of new coalitions.
Elections considered realignment: 1860 and 1932

19. Third or Minor Parties Ideological Splinter/ personality/factional
Single Issue
Protest

20. Third Parties: Their Impact on American Politics
Political parties other than Democrat or Republican
Rarely win elections
But, they bring new groups and people into politics
Two-party system discourages extreme views

21. The Party Organizations: From the Grass Roots to Washington
The National Party Organizations
National Convention: The meeting of party delegates every four years to choose a presidential ticket and write the party’s platform.
National Committee: One of the institutions that keeps the party operating between conventions.

22. The Party Organizations: From the Grass Roots to Washington
The 50 State Party 50 Primary Systems
Closed: voters must be registered with their party in advance and can only vote for that party
Open: voters decide on election day which party to participate in, and then only that party
Blanket: voters get a list of all candidates and can vote for one name for each office, regardless of party label

23. The Party Organizations: From the Grass Roots to Washington
These are the people that work for the party.
Local Parties
Party Machines: A type of political party organization that relies heavily on material inducements to win votes and to govern.
Patronage: A job, promotion or contract given for political reasons rather than merit. Used by party machines.
Now local organizations are generally weak.

24. Direct Democracy Initiative: process permitted by some states
Where voter may place proposed changes to state low on the ballot if they have sufficient signatures obtained on a petition.
Referendum: State level. Direct legislation that gives voters a chance to approve or disapprove legislator or constitutional amendment proposed by state legislature.

25. Direct Democracy
Recall: a procedure that allows voters to call a special election for a specific official in an attempt to throw him or her out of office before the end of their term.
Only 18 states allow recall. Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Georgia, Idaho, Kansas, Louisiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, Nevada, New Jersey, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, Washington, and Wisconsin.

27. The Party in Government: Promises and Policy
These are the party members actually elected to government.
Candidates are less dependent on parties to get elected, but they still need help…
Coalition:
A group of individuals with a common interest upon which every political party depends.
Parties & politicians generally do what they say they will do.

28. The Party in Government: Promises and Policy
Rep Platform 2000
Bush & Regan set the stage for today’s prosperity.
The party of peace through strength.
Personal saving accounts are the cornerstone…
Dem Platform 2000
Clinton turned America into the prosperous country of today.
Reversed a decline in defense spending.
Create privately managed savings accounts.
From Table 8.3

29. Party Organization The weakening of party organizations Nominations
Loss of party control to candidates
Primary election/direct primary
Hinder strong party organizations
Loss of party power over patronage

30. Party Organization The structure and role of party organizations
National party organizations
Structure of the national parties
Major role in campaigns is raising and spending of money
Hard money
Soft money

31. National Party Fundraising 1999-2012

32. Candidate-Centered Campaign
Campaign funds: money chase
Organization and strategy: political consultants
Packaging: highlight aspects of candidate’s positions and background thought to be attractive to voters

33. Rise in Negative Campaigning 1960-2008

34. Candidate Centered Campaign
Campaign funds: money chase
Organization and strategy: political consultants
Packaging: highlight aspects of candidate’s positions and background thought to be attractive to voters

35. Voter contacts: pitched battles
Air wars
Main battleground: advertising through media
Ground wars
Web wars
In retrospect: the consequences of the last war
Prospective voting
Retrospective voting

36. Parties, Candidates, and the Public’s Influence
Candidate-centered campaigns add flexibility
Candidate-centered campaigns decrease accountability
Does it make sense to “vote the person”

37. Understanding Political Parties
Democracy and Responsible Party Government
1. Parties have distinct comprehensive programs.
2. Candidates are committed to the program.
3. Majority party must carry out its program.
4. Majority party must accept responsibility.

38. Understanding Political Parties
Individualism and Gridlock
Easier to pass the buck than bite the bullet
Lack of uniformity even within parties
American Political Parties and the Scope of Government
Lack of uniformity keeps government small
But, it also makes cutting government programs harder to do

39. Understanding Political Parties
Is the Party Over?
No longer the chief source of information for voters
But, state and national party organizations are getting stronger
Majority of people still identify with a party, but still split their tickets
Parties will continue to be around

40. Future of Political Parties
Third –party challenges
Loss of support by party loyalists
Increase in split-ticket voting
Lack of perceived difference between parties
Party reform
Methods of campaigning