AP US Government & Politics Unit III

1. AP US Government & Politics Unit III

2. Political Parties • Purpose • Choose candidates for office and get them elected • Characteristics • Parties link people and the government • All parties are extra-constitutional: created from custom and usage • Not created or governed by the Constitution • Structurally parties are run by the national committee, state committee, local committee

3. Where do political parties exist? • As a label, in voters’ minds • As an organization, recruiting and campaigning for candidates • As a set of leaders, organizing and trying to control legislative and executive branches • US parties have become weaker in all three arenas but still serve to link the voters to the political process (‘linkage institution’)

4. How U.S. political parties differ from those of other Western nations • Less control over nominating candidates: primary elections caused this (mid 70s) • Less control over campaigns: candidates get funds independently • c. Less control of elected members

5. National Party Structure Today • Parties similar on paper • National convention has ultimate power; meets every 4 years • National committee composed of delegates from states; manages party between conventions • Congressional Campaign Committees support party’s congressional candidates • National chair manages daily work

6. National Party Structure, continued B. National Conventions 1. Selection of delegates different 2. DNC delegates became more liberal, RNC more conservative 3. DNC rules to include more women and minority delegates 4. Conventions today only ratify primary voters’ selections and never actually choose nominee

7. Declining Partisan Loyalties

8. Two-Party System • Very few other countries have two-party system • Evenly balanced nationally, not locally • Why has two-party system endured? • Winner-take-all and plurality systems • State laws make it difficult for minor parties to get on ballot • Historical comfort of system

11. Party Ideologies • American Parties tend to be moderate • Winner-Take-All • Parties are more interested in gaining power than making policy • Members do not have to be loyal to party once elected

13. Party Membership • Both major parties have about 1/3 of the electorate registered • 1/3 of electorate is independent • Both parties must win the independent vote to win elections • Third Parties tend to be ideological • Green Party (pro-environment) • Reform Party (anti-big government)

14. Minor parties and their impact on American politics • Ideological Parties: Parties professing a comprehensive view of American society and government that is radically different from that of the established parties. Most have been Marxist in outlook, but some are quite the opposite, such as the Libertarian Party. Examples: Socialist Party (1901-1960’s), Communist Party (1920’s to present), Libertarian Party (1972-Present)

15. b. One-Issue Parties: Parties seeking a single policy, usually revealed by their names, and avoiding other issues. Examples: Free Soil Party (to prevent the spread of slavery (1848-1852); American or “Know Nothing Party” – to oppose immigration and Catholics (1856); Prohibition Party – to ban the sale of liquor (1869-Present); Women’s Party – to obtain the right to vote for women (1913-1920)

16. c. Economic-protest Parties: Parties, usually based in a particular region, especially involving farmers that protest against depressed economic conditions. These tend to disappear as conditions improve. Examples: Greenback Party (1876-1884), Populist Party (1892 –1908)

17. d. Factional Parties: Parties that are created by a split in a major party, usually over the identity and philosophy of the major party’s presidential candidate. Examples: Split from Republican Party = Bull Moose Progressive Party (1912);; Split from Democratic Party = States Rights (“Dixiecrat”) Party (1948);Split from both Reps and Dems = Reform Party (Ross Perot)

18. 2000 Florida Pres Election (3rd Party Factor)

19. Failure of Alternative Parties • Caused by the equal single-member voting district; plurality, winner take all system • Stacks the deck against third party candidates • Perot got 19% of total votes; no electoral votes • This prevents third parties from running viable national campaigns

20. Today’s Party System • Primaries and candidates raising their own money without the need of the National Committee & National Party apparatus has weakened the political parties • Criticisms • Evade the issues-various coalitions within party • No new ideas • Pander to special interests • They are corrupt • Influence of PACMen • Influence of soft money donations

21. Presidential Nominating Process • Primary Election • The electorate chooses candidates for office by vote in a nomination election • Open Primary-voters do not have to be a member of a party to vote for that party • Crossover voting • Closed Primary- voters can only vote for candidates from their registered party • Prevents crossover • Independents cannot participate • Blanket Primary- voters from any party can vote for any party • Caucus • Closed meeting of party leaders who decide on candidates

22. Preconvention • Primaries/Caucuses decide 2 issues • Who is the popular choice • A slate of delegates named to support the popular choice • Each party chooses their own slates of delegates • In blanket primary states the voter registered in one party could vote for the delegates of another party and therefore help determine the other party’s candidate

23. Preconvention • Begins in Iowa (Caucus) • Forces out unpopular candidates • New Hampshire (Primary) • Tests the appeal of the front runners with the ordinary voter • Super Tuesday(beginning of March) • Many states hold primaries on the same day • Many delegates decided on that day • Frontloading changing process

24. Presidential Nominating Process • Convention • Meeting of party delegates (representatives from different states) who decide candidates and establish platform (policies the party supports)

25. Impact of Primaries Weakened the parties • Leaders no longer control the candidates • Multiple candidates for the nomination can splinter the party membership • Candidate centered fund raising has weakened party control

26. Presidential Nominating Process • Parties and candidates must appease extreme wings during nominating process, but need a moderate candidate to win an election • Delegates not representative of voters—Democratic delegates much more liberal, Republican much more conservative

27. Parties and Government Organization • Congress and most state governments are organized by party affiliation • Patronage positions in government are appointed by winner to reward supporters • Members of Cabinet • Ambassadorship What has changed?

31. Unify the party around candidates and policy Make Policy Preferences Parties tend to support policies of their constituencies and coalitions, and try to make policies into law The loyal opposition The party out of power criticizes the policies of the party in power Organize, fund and run political campaigns Access point to government for interest groups or individuals Other Functions of the Party

32. Weakening of Parties • Primary Election • National Convention no longer emphasized • Rise of PAC’s and alternative fundraising • Public financing of presidential campaigns • Loss of Patronage Power • Voter identification weakened • Government taking on social responsibilities of party • Welfare, health care, etc. • Media Covers candidates not the party • Party cannot control media coverage

33. Strengthening of Parties • Technology • Internet, national phone banks • Expertise of campaign laws • Campaign experts run campaigns • Soft Money • Money given to party, not candidate • Local and State organizations strong • Grassroots volunteers • Growing ideological differences energize activists to turn out voters

34. Modern Campaigns • Candidates rely less on party • Use public opinion polls to gauge the public interest and public positions • Strategies and tactics determined by campaign consultants • Campaigns are candidate centered

35. How do Presidential and Congressional races differ? A.Presidential races are more competitive than congressional races (Congress--no term limits and tough to run against an incumbent) B. Fewer people vote in non-Presidential elections = Congressional races must be appealing to the more motivated, partisan voter C. Members can do things for constituents and get credit that Pres. can’t do D. Congressional candidate can deny responsibility for mess in Washington E. Power of presidential coattails has declined

37. Running for President • Getting mentioned • Money: Individuals $2,300, PACs $5,000 to each candidate in each election • Candidates must raise $5,000 in 20 states in individual contributions of $250 or less to qualify for federal matching funds (PAC contributions don’t count) • Organization: large staff

38. Running for President, continued F. Strategy and Themes 1. Incumbents defend record; challengers attack 2. Setting a tone (positive/negative) 3. Develop a theme 4. Target voter

39. Primary vs. General Campaigns • Different voters, workers, media attention • Activists vote in primaries, more ideological • Must be conservative or liberal enough to get nominated, then run from the center to get elected

40. The General Election Campaign: each Presidential hopeful must • Target the campaign – strategy to achieve electoral majority • Take advantage of political assets – incumbency • Develop an image the voter responds to • Attract the support of divergent groups • Use issues and events for their own advantage • Take advantage of the media as a primary means of communicating with the public • Use the campaign organization and workers to get the vote out (labor, religious groups, etc.)

41. Two Kinds of Campaign Issues: Position and Valence A Valence Issue is one on which voters distinguish rival parties by the degree to which they associate each party or candidate with conditions, goals, or symbols the electorate universally approves or disapproves of. Examples are economic prosperity and political corruption.

42. Two Kinds of Campaign Issues: Position and Valence A Position Issue is one on which the rival parties or candidates reach out for the support of the electorate by taking different positions on a policy question that divides the electorate. Examples: Slavery or not, high taxes or low taxes.

43. Impact of TV, Debates, and Direct Mail on Campaigns • Spots (paid advertising) can help little-known candidates become known • Voters get more information from spots than from news broadcasts • Visuals (news broadcasts) cost candidates nothing • Debates usually an advantage only to challenger; incumbent or frontrunner runs risk of gaffe • Direct Mail made easier by computers; mailings can be targeted; result in donations

44. Money • Presidential primaries partly funded with public money • Presidential general elections: all public money unless candidate chooses not to accept • Congressional elections: all private money • Reform following Watergate scandal

45. Federal Election Campaign Reform Act 1971 & 1974 • No limitations on money spent in Congressional elections • Spending limits on pres. Candidates if matching funds are sought • Created Federal Election Commission with members appointed by President • Federal funds are given to candidates and parties during nominating and general election phases • Set donation limits for individuals • $1,000 per candidate during both phases • $5,000 to state party by individuals • $25,000 total donations per election cycle • $5,000 per candidate by a corporation • PAC’s are limited, 527 Groups are not limited (Loop hole group) • Spending on behalf of a candidate is unlimited

46. McCain Feingold Reform Bill • Bans soft money in federal elections and national primaries (Rise of the 527 Groups) • Individual donations to state parties raised to $10,000 • Total individual contributions raised to $30,000 • Unions prohibited from spending union dues and treasury funds for advertising within 60 days of election • Groups running issue ads must disclose identity • Absolute prohibition on foreign national donations • Prohibits campaign solicitation on federal property

47. Money, continued • Supreme Court ruled in Buckley v. Valeo(1976) that limits could not be set on individual spending of own money in campaigns unless federal money received • “Soft money”—unlimited contributions to party organizations, not candidates, can only be used for “party building” but really used to promote campaigns • Soft money banned in 2002 but 527 group loophole was exploited in 2004 election: moveon.org, Swift Boat Veterans for Truth

48. Money, continued • Advantages of incumbency • Fundraising: PACs contribute to incumbents because they get re-elected • Can provide constituent services & pork • Can use free mailings • Can get free publicity

50. The Electoral College • State by State/Winner Take All • Plurality system • In some states electors are not bound to follow popular vote • Total vote=100 Senators+435 congressional seats+3 D.C.=538--- 270 gets the win • 12th Amend corrects the tie between Pres & Vice President because they run as pairs from a single party • If no majority • Top 3 pres candidate’s names go to House; each state has 1 vote; 26 votes wins • Top 2 vice presidential candidates names go to Senate; 1 man =1 vote; 51 votes wins