1. Chapter 5
Section 5

2. Party Decentralization
President’s party is usually united around the President.
The many offices contribute to decentralization.
Nominating candidates fragments the parties.

3. National Party Machinery
National convention- Nominates candidates and sets rules and a platform.
National committee- A group of party members whose main focus is planning the next convention.
National chairperson- Directs the work of the party’s headquarters. Works to strengthen the party and fundraise.

4. National Party Machinery
Congressional campaign committees- Work to reelect incumbents and fill empty seats.

5. State and Local Party Machinery
State organization- State central committee headed by a chairperson. Work to develop party unity and fundraise.
Local organization- Work the interests of the area they are in.

6. Components of the Party
Party organization- People who run the party machinery.
Party in the electorate- Party loyalists.
Party in the government- Officeholders.

7. Future of Major Parties
Parties are in trouble.
Sharp drop since 1960 in the number of voters who will identify themselves as Republicans or Democrats.
Split-ticket voting.
Internal conflict.
Technology has made organizations less important.
Growth of single-issue organizations.