1. Jefferson Hamilton I want to become president to assure that the state governments have power. I completely disagree with that. National Government should have the most power. Bring it on! Oh Yeah! Well, you have to get elected first! History of Political Parties I Totally did Not want this to happen!

2. Political Party A group that shares similar beliefs and want their beliefs to become laws We believe that the government should spend more money on the military. Here is how we make our belief a reality.

3. Political Party recruit and nominate candidates We pick a candidate that can get elected to office and make our belief a law.

4. Political Party Educate the voters Then we educate the voters about how great our candidate is.

5. Political Party Help the candidates win Educating voters isn’t free, the best way to help our candidate is to give him money. Helping Candidates Win and Educating Voters are very closely connected

6. Political Party Monitor actions of office holders Once our candidate wins, we order him to do everything we want!

7. Political Party Monitor actions of office holders And if he loses… We blame America’s problems on the other guy and his political party

8. Democratic Party  mostly Liberal beliefs  Gov’t should help people (high taxes)  Gov’t should protect our rights Republican Party  mostly Conservative beliefs  People should help themselves (low taxes)  Gov’t should enforce traditional beliefs

9. Functions of Political Parties Similarities of Political Parties Nominate/Recruit Educate voters Help candidate win Monitor Office Holders

10. Difference of Political Parties Platform List of Beliefs or Ideology - Gov’t helps citizens - Tax cuts for middle class - End wars - Pro-Choice - Protect ALL citizens rights - Gov’t shouldn’t help us - Tax cuts for everyone - Fight Terrorism - Pro-Life - illegalize same-sex marriage

11. Functions of Political Parties Similarities of Political Parties Recruit/Nominate organized to win Educate voters Help candidate win influence policy Monitor Office Holders Liberal and Conservativeappeal to the center Republican Conservative Liberal Conservative Liberal

12. Costs A lot of $$$ $$$ from interest groups and PACs Gov’t = $$$ Not Gov’t for the people Gov’t for the people

14. Third Parties Introduce New Ideas – Green Party: Protecting the environment – Progressive party: 8 hour working day – Rent is too darn high party: Rent is to darn high Sometimes influence the outcome of an election Sometimes revolve around a personality – Teddy Roosevelt and the Bull Moose Party

15. Voter Registration

16. Before you vote, you must register to vote – Qualifications to vote: Citizen of U.S. Citizen of state you’re voting in 18 years old by Election Day

17. Voter Registration How to Register: – sign up at: Registrar’s office DMV Library Gov’t office print online, and then Mail it Must Register 22 days before an election

18. Voter Participation

19. Highest Election Turnouts When there are Big Issues in America – Economy – War When the President is up for election vs. turnout = people show up to vote

20. 2008 = Presidential Election (purple) 2009 = Non-Presidential Election (green)

21. Why people do note to vote 1.Lack of interest 2.Failure to register TO VOTE

22. Who doesn’t vote Age – Young People Not interested Education – Uneducated Don’t understand the issues Income – Poor No time; other worries

24. Lack of Interest & Forget to Register Age Young Education uneducated Income Poor Why? Who?

25. Campaign Finance Reform

28. 2012 Presidential Election Campaign Financing

29. Interest Groups NRA – National rifle association NEA – National Educator Association

30. interest group NRA Mitt Romney

31. interest group NRA Mitt Romney Want Gun Control

32. interest group NRA

33. Lobbyists = employees of the interest group Interest Group

34. interest group NRA Mitt Romney interest group NRA interest group NRLC PAC Restore Our Future a lot more $$$

35. PAC Restore Our Future interest group NRA

36. Result All about Money Money is more important than fixing issues Money is more important than the People?

37. Campaign Costs are Rising vs. $600,000 $800,000 Winner

38. Campaign Costs are Rising vs. $1,000,000 $800,000 Winner Next Election

39. Campaign Costs are Rising vs. $1,000,000 $1,500,000 Winner Next Election

40. interest group NRA