1. Party Structure Today Chapter 9, Theme B

2. Parties Similar on Paper National Conventions nominate the presidential candidates every 4 yrs. National Conventions nominate the presidential candidates every 4 yrs. National Committee is composed of delegates from states to manage affairs between conventions. National Committee is composed of delegates from states to manage affairs between conventions. Congressional campaign comm. Work to get party members elected. Congressional campaign comm. Work to get party members elected. National Chairs manage day-to-day work. National Chairs manage day-to-day work. –DNC Debbie Wasserman Schultz http://www.democrats.org/about/bio/rep_debbie_wasserman_schultz http://www.democrats.org/about/bio/rep_debbie_wasserman_schultz –RNC Reince Priebus http://www.gop.com/our-party/leadership/reince-priebus/ http://www.gop.com/our-party/leadership/reince-priebus/

3. Political Party Structure Political Party Structure National Committee: Works to get the President & Congressional members elected; all sts. represented; organize Convention State Committee: Works to get the Governor, Legislators & Judges elected; Choose national delegates Local Committee: Works to get local leader elected; choose state delegates Precinct Organization: Choose precinct officials from local party members; Choose local committee

4. RNC vs. DNC RNC moved to bureaucratic structure and as a result was able to well-finance party and elect congressional candidates, later Presidential candidates, too. (WAR CHEST) RNC moved to bureaucratic structure and as a result was able to well-finance party and elect congressional candidates, later Presidential candidates, too. (WAR CHEST) DNC factionalized structure and redistributed power. DNC factionalized structure and redistributed power. RNC used computerized mailing lists RNC used computerized mailing lists –A national firm of political consultants Both parties once sent money to state parties to side-step FEC…soft money Both parties once sent money to state parties to side-step FEC…soft money Soft money is now banned Soft money is now banned

5. National Conventions National Committee sets time & place National Committee sets time & place –Why are the locations important? Issue a “call” setting the number of delegates for ea. State & rules of selection using complex formulas. Issue a “call” setting the number of delegates for ea. State & rules of selection using complex formulas. –Dem. Formula shift (To N & W) –Rep. Formula shift (To S & SW) –Results? Dem. More left, Rep. more right

6. National Conventions DNC formula…reward large sts. DNC formula…reward large sts. RNC formula…reward loyal sts. RNC formula…reward loyal sts. REFORMS: REFORMS: –DNC 1970s rules weakened local parties to give strength to minorities at convention –Hunt Commission in 1981 gave more influence to superdelegates –Hunt Commission in 1981 gave more influence to superdelegates http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WUL5TgyUrC0 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WUL5TgyUrC0RESULTS: –Parties represent different sets of upper middle classes…Rep. traditional middle class is more conservative, Dem. New middle class is more liberal & educated

7. National Conventions In the 1980’s, Dem. Party feared not being competitive with Rep. Party In the 1980’s, Dem. Party feared not being competitive with Rep. Party –Superdelegates’ numbers increased –Sp. Interest Groups’ numbers decreased –1992 Rules:  Winner-reward system banned  Proportional representation implemented  Sts. That violate rules lose delegates

8. National Conventions Why are national conventions no longer as important to the candidates? Why are national conventions no longer as important to the candidates? Why has the primary & caucus replaced this tradition? Why has the primary & caucus replaced this tradition? Besides nominating the party’s candidate, the party develops & writes the plans to the platform. Besides nominating the party’s candidate, the party develops & writes the plans to the platform.

9. http://www.democrats.org/ http://www.democrats.org/ http://www.democrats.org/

10. http://www.gop.com/

11. Political Machines What is a political machine? What is a political machine? –Always use incentives. –Thrived before the Civil Service System was created due to patronage. Historical Examples: Historical Examples: –Tammany Hall’s Boss Tweed The Hatch Act, Voter education & Progressive reforms helped to end most of these machines. The Hatch Act, Voter education & Progressive reforms helped to end most of these machines.

12. Ideological Parties Extreme opposite of machines Extreme opposite of machines Principles are more important than winning elections-often parties are contentious & factionalized Principles are more important than winning elections-often parties are contentious & factionalized Usually outside Dems. & Reps. As a “Third Party” Usually outside Dems. & Reps. As a “Third Party” Reform Movement of 1950-1960’s had success Reform Movement of 1950-1960’s had success Clubs replaced by focused social movements in 1960-1970. Clubs replaced by focused social movements in 1960-1970. These are today’s “Farm Clubs” These are today’s “Farm Clubs” –Factionalism is more intense –Party leaders have less freedom and power

13. Solidary Groups Members are motivated by solidary incentives…enjoy politics Members are motivated by solidary incentives…enjoy politics Advantage: Neither corrupt nor inflexible Advantage: Neither corrupt nor inflexible Disadvantage: Not very hard working Disadvantage: Not very hard working

14. Sponsored Parties Created or sustained by another organization Created or sustained by another organization Not very common in the US Not very common in the US EX. Detroit Democrats were developed and led by the UAW EX. Detroit Democrats were developed and led by the UAW

15. Personal Followings Requires an appealing personality, an extensive network, name recognition and money Requires an appealing personality, an extensive network, name recognition and money EX. Kennedys (MA), Talmadges (GA), Longs (LA), Byrds (VA), Bush Family (TX, FL) EX. Kennedys (MA), Talmadges (GA), Longs (LA), Byrds (VA), Bush Family (TX, FL)

16. The Two-Party System Rarity among nations today Rarity among nations today Evenly balanced nationally, not locally Evenly balanced nationally, not locally Why such a permanent feature? Why such a permanent feature? –Electoral system-winner-take-all and plurality system –Opinions of voters-two broad coalitions work, although times of bitter dissent –State laws have made it very difficult for third parties to get on the ballot –Single member districts

17. Types of Third or Minor Parties Ideological Parties Ideological Parties –Comprehensive, radical view; most enduring –Examples: Socialist, Communist, Libertarian One-Issue Parties One-Issue Parties –Address one concern, avoid others –Examples: Free Soil, Know-Nothing, Prohibition –Usually absorbed by a major party

18. Types of Third or Minor Parties Economic Protest Parties Economic Protest Parties –Regional, protest economic conditions –Examples: Greenback, Populist Factional or Splinter Parties Factional or Splinter Parties –From split in a major party –Examples: Bull Moose, Henry Wallace, American Independent

19. Write FRQ Study cartoon then answer the question. Study cartoon then answer the question. Should be done independently. Should be done independently. Use complete sentences and label question as prompt in labeled. Use complete sentences and label question as prompt in labeled. Discuss & score. Discuss & score.

20. Part A: Cartoonist’s Point of View Voting for a third party is like throwing away a vote Voting for a third party is like throwing away a vote Voting for a third party is wasting a vote Voting for a third party is wasting a vote

21. Part B: Obstacles to 3rd Parties Getting on the ballot Getting on the ballot –Need % of voters on petition to get on ballot…Must do in nearly all states Federal Campaign Finance Laws Federal Campaign Finance Laws –5% of vote to get Federal Funds –Limits on donations & spending Electoral College Electoral College –Winner Take All system Single Member Districts Single Member Districts Excluded From National debates Excluded From National debates

22. Part C: Impacts of Third Parties Bring new ideas & issues to forefront Bring new ideas & issues to forefront Allows a voice for the fringe and discontent Allows a voice for the fringe and discontent Enhances participation Enhances participation Makes two main parties broaden appeal Makes two main parties broaden appeal Makes two main parties address issues and take positions Makes two main parties address issues and take positions