1. Political Parties

2. Two Party System Two primary political parties Negatives Republican
Democrat
Negatives
Two extremes—where is the middle ground?
Voters sometimes vote for the lesser of two evils
Absence of successful third parties with important ideas

3. Republican Party (GOP)
Formed in 1854 to oppose slavery
Represents “conservative” values
Conservative: Traditional and protective of the way things are such as Christian values, strong military protection, and small government
Examples:
Abraham Lincoln
Teddy Roosevelt
Richard Nixon
Ronald Reagan
George Bush (both of them)
Originated in a political cartoon; a donkey dressed in lion’s clothes was scaring animals at the zoo—including an elephant

4. Republican Presidents

5. Republican Party: What they stand for
Small government
Lower taxes
Privatization of healthcare
(not government run)
Big military/National security
Supported Iraq War/Afghanistan War
Strong stance on border control
Gun rights
Pro-death penalty
Pro-life
Anti-abortion

6. 2012 Republican Candidate Mitt Romney
“Believe in America”
“Restore America’s Promise”

7. Democratic Party
Formed in 1830 by Andrew Jackson as a voice for the middle class
Represents “liberal” values
Liberal: Open-minded toward all peoples, religions, and lifestyles and favoring change
Examples:
Andrew Jackson
Woodrow Wilson
Franklin Delano Roosevelt
John F. Kennedy
Bill Clinton
Barack Obama
Originated when opponents of Andrew Jackson referred to him as… well… you know…

8. Democratic Presidents

9. Democratic Party: What they stand for
Big government
Raise taxes on upper-class
Lower taxes on middle-class
Universal healthcare
(government funded)
Smaller military
Wants to end war
Civil rights
Women, racial, and gay rights
Lighter stance on border control (amnesty)
Limitations on gun rights
Anti-death penalty
Pro-choice

10. 2012 Democratic Candidate Barack Obama
“Forward”

11. Other Current Political Parties
Libertarian Party: More individual freedoms, smaller government (almost non-existent)
Green Party: Strong focus on environmental protection and peace
Constitution Party: Committed to protecting the rights of the Constitution, limiting the power of government, and protecting traditional values