The Role of Political Parties Build stable legislative and electoral alliances Mobilize voters Choose candidates and get them elected Inform and stimulate the public Party Differences Democrats – – – – Pro-choice Gun control Liberal Government involvement Party Differences Republicans – – – – Pro-life Anti-gun control Conservative Limited government involvement U.S. Parties vs. European Parties United States – Primaries, party has less of a role – Candidate runs the campaign – Elected officials often vote against party line – Citizens vote more based on issues and the candidate’s personality Europe – Party selects candidate – Party runs campaign – Elected officials vote party line – Citizens vote based on party labels Development and Evolution of the U.S. Party System First Party System: The Founding 1789-1824 Founders believed that factions were motivated by self-interest The first parties were small coalitions based more on geography and class than on common economic interests First two parties – Federalists (Hamilton)- New England – Republicans (Jefferson)- South Second Party System: Jacksonians 1828-1854 Two Parties – Democrats (Jackson) – Whigs (opponents of Jackson) Political participation became a mass phenomenon Replaced the caucus system with the party convention Organized the parties at local levels Third Party System: Civil War & Sectionalism 1856-1896 Rise of the Republican Party – Party was made up of old Whigs and Democrats who opposed slavery Party Machinery – Gave favors in exchange for votes Two factions developed within each party Republican Party – Stalwarts or Old Guard – Mugwumps or Progressives Fourth Party System: Era of Reform 1896-1932 Progressive Era Reforms – Civil Service Exam – Australian Ballot- secret ballot – Primary Elections – Ended Patronage Fifth Party System: 1932 to Present Party line voting declined, and ticket splitting increased Voters become more indifferent to parties Increase in Third Parties Rise in Divided Government Party Realignments Party Realignments 1800- the Jeffersonian Republicans defeated the Federalists 1828- the Jacksonian Democrats came to power 1860- the Whig Party collapses and the Republicans under Lincoln come to power 1896- the Republicans defeat William Jennings Bryan 1932- the Democrats under Roosevelt come to power The National Party Structure The National Party Structure National Convention – Every 4 years – Purpose Select presidential nominee Write party platform National Committee – Purpose Run the general operations of the party Raise money Help candidates National Party Structure National Chairperson – Purpose Run day-to-day operations Republican: Reince Priebus Democratic: Tim Kaine Local Level Organization The Machine – Party Machine Ideological Parties – Parties based around values Solidarity Groups – People participate in politics for the social elements Sponsored Parties – A group sponsors a party Example: United Auto Workers (UAW) Campaigns and Elections Function of the Election • Elections have 2 crucial phases – Getting nominated – Getting elected Congressional Elections vs. Presidential Elections Presidential Campaigns • Produce the largest voter turnout • Presidential candidate must work harder and spend more $ • More competitive • Rely more on mass media • Responsible for the “mess in D.C.” Congressional Campaigns • The incumbent often wins • These candidates only need to be appealing to the more motivated voter • Congress does things for their constituents that a president cannot • Congress can pass the blame for the “mess in D.C.” Presidential Election Process 1. Each state holds a primary or caucus between January and June to determine candidates for parties • The Iowa Caucus (Feb. 12) is the first real test of a candidate trying for president 2. Candidates then enter into general elections against the other political parties Congressional Elections • If you are running against an incumbent in Congress then the odds are against you • Districting in the House is always an issue – Malapportionment – Gerrymandering • The Constitution requires reapportionment every 10 years Congressional Qualifications House of Representatives Senate • 25 years of age • 30 years of age • Citizen of the U.S. for 7 years • Citizen of the U.S. for 9 years • Must be an inhabitant of the state elected • Must be an inhabitant of the state elected Campaign Issues • There are two kinds of campaign issues – Position Issues – Valence Issues T.V., Debates & Direct Mail Television • The role of T.V. ads in determining the outcome of an election is minimal Debates • The drawback to candidates of T.V. visuals and debates are verbal slips Mail • Direct mail is the best way to reach all the supporters of a certain issue in a certain area Campaign Financing • Study Pages 200-206 Running for President • Money • Organization – Fund-raisers, lawyers, accountants, media consultants, advisors, pollsters, etc. Staff of hundreds • Strategy and Themes – Tone, theme, timing, target Running for Congress • Incumbents have huge advantage – Franking privileges • Cater to distrust by public of federal gov – “Run against Congress, not for it.” • Sophomore surge – Newly elected members become strong in their districts very quickly What Decides the Election? • Political Party – Republicans tend to be more loyal than Democrats – Republicans do better with Independent voters • Issues – Prospective v. Retrospective Voting • Campaign – Campaigns allow voter to see a candidate under pressure