Party Weaknesses
Lack of Rank and File Membership
and Grassroots Organization
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Anyone can join through registration
No duties or dues
Most activities at election time
Most Americans are spectators rather than
participants in party activity
Small % of “strong” Republicans and Democrats
Increase in % of Independents
Parties have lost traditional
functions
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Nomination of candidates (now by primary
elections)
Funding of political campaigns (candidate centered)
Unifying gov’t (we often have divided gov’t and intraparty conflict can be strong)
Providing patronage (jobs filled by Civil Service, e.g.,
EPA position)
Weak Party Discipline
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Split ticket voting. Voters feel less loyalty
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Few penalties for politicians who stray from party line,
since candidates are nominated by people, not party
bosses (e.g., John McCain)
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Candidates finance campaigns on their own rather
than rely upon the party
Intra-Party Division
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Between party regulars and candidate loyalists/issue
advocates (e.g., Christian Coalition and their initial
lack of support for John McCain)
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Between Democratic liberals and moderates (“Blue
Dogs” in Congress)
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Between Republican conservatives and moderates
(Olympia Snow-Maine, voted for Senate Health Bill)