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2 The Democratic Party Platform Education Democrats share with all parents the pledge to prepare our children to lead lives of happiness and success. That s why we re dedicated to ensuring the next generation has access to a first-rate education and the tools to drive our economy forward. In 2010, President Obama signed into law student loan reform that ended government aids to big banks and made college more affordable to millions of Americans a measure in size and scope second only to the G.I. Bill. The Obama administration is working to overhaul the No Child Left Behind program and provide teachers with more professional support and resources while also holding them accountable. President Obama instituted Race to the Top, a revolutionary program designed to promote innovation and provide incentives for improvement in education. As a result, already over a dozen states have made changes to increase standards and implement reforms. Energy President Obama knows we can t just drill our way to lower gas prices or a quick-fix solution to our energy needs. That s why he and Democrats are focused on developing all of America s natural resources domestic oil, gas, wind, solar and biofuels and encouraging fuel efficiency so that we can reduce our dependence on foreign oil over time. Health Care In March 2010, President Obama fulfilled a promise that Democrats have pursued for nearly a century: making health care available to all Americans. Despite common opposition from Republicans, Democrats were finally able to pass comprehensive health reform into law. By 2014, health reform will eliminate all discrimination for pre-existing conditions, start the process of expanding health insurance coverage for an additional 32 million Americans, and provide the largest middle-class tax cut for health care in history. Immigration America has a long and rich heritage of immigration. Democrats have always embraced our country s diversity, but we also recognize that our current immigration system is broken. Democrats support comprehensive reform grounded in the principles of responsibility and accountability: Responsibility from the federal government to secure our borders: The Obama administration has dedicated unprecedented resources to securing our borders and reducing the flow of illegal traffic in both directions. National Defense As the threats facing our country have evolved over the years, so too has our ability to respond to them. Our national security personnel are the most dynamic and well-trained in the world, and we must never forget the solemn duty that they fulfill for our nation. Democrats are committed to ensuring that our troops have the training, equipment, and support that they need when they are deployed and the care that they and their families need and deserve when they return home.

3 The Republican Party Platform Economy The Republican Party believes in the power and opportunity of America s free-market economy. We believe in the importance of sensible business regulations that promote confidence in our economy among consumers, entrepreneurs and businesses alike. We oppose interfering policies that put the federal government in control of industry and allow it to pick winners and losers in the marketplace. National Defense Today the Republican Party believes national defense requires defending America s homeland, including remaining vigilant in confronting global terrorism, maintaining a robust defense against the threats arising from nuclear spread, including a strong ballistic missile defense for America and our allies, and promoting an effective, capable intelligence community. It requires a full commitment to America s Armed Forces to ensure they are modern, alert and adaptable to the unpredictable range of challenges in the years ahead. And it requires a continued international effort, which complements our military activities, to develop and maintain alliances and relationships that will lead to greater peace and stability. While the United States participates in various international organizations, which can serve the cause of peace and posterity, they must never substitute for principled American leadership nor prevent America from joining other democracies to protect our vital national interests. Health Care The Republican Party supports common-sense reforms that will lower costs, ensure quality health care that Americans deserve, and end lawsuit abuse. We oppose government-run health care, which won t protect the physician-patient relationship, won t promote competition, and won t promote health care quality and choice. Education The Republican Party believes that maintaining a world-class system of primary and secondary education with high standards in which all students can reach their potential is critically important to America s future. We believe parents should be empowered to send their children to the school of their choice. Energy Republicans believe in energy independence. We support an all of the above approach that encourages the responsible production of nuclear power, clean coal, solar, wind, geothermal, hydropower, as well as drilling for oil and natural gas in an environmentally responsible way. We oppose so-called cap and trade legislation that would impose a national energy tax on families and small business that would kill jobs and raise utility prices. Courts Republicans believe a judge s role is to interpret the law, not make law from the bench. Judges in our federal court system, from district courts to the Supreme Court, should demonstrate fidelity to the U.S. Constitution. We trust the judicial system to base rulings on the law, and nothing else.

4 Political Parties

5 Development of Political Parties A political party is an association of voters with broad, common interests who want to influence or control decision making in government by electing the party s candidates to public office Nonpartisan: Candidates DO NOT declare themselves to be members of parties.

6 Development of Political Parties Parties pick candidates who agree with their beliefs and try to persuade voters to support their candidates for running for office The United States has had its current two-party system since 1860.

7 Roots of the Two-Party System Despite President Washington s warning, two rival political groups were formed shortly after he was elected. Secretary of State Thomas Jefferson and Secretary of Treasury Alexander Hamilton were the leaders of these groups.

8 Democratic Party Thomas Jefferson wanted less power for the national government and more power for the state governments, which he felt were closer to the citizens. Those who agreed with Jefferson made up the Democratic Republican Party which was later renamed the Democratic Party

9 Republican Party Alexander Hamilton wanted a strong national government and a strong President. He felt that if the government was too weak, individual rights were at risk. Hamilton s group was called the Federalist Party, which became the Whig Party, and eventually evolved into the modern day Republican Party.

10 Third Parties Although they sometimes challenge the two major parties, a Third Party has never won a Presidential election and has rarely won any other major elections.

11 Third Parties Third Parties, however, can affect the outcome of elections; as well, they may influence government and social policy. Some Third Parties arise to promote a social, economic, and moral issue.

12 Types of Third Parties Single issue parties fade when the issue loses importance or a major party adopts that issue. Ie. The Prohibitionist Party pushed for laws against the sale of alcohol.

13 Types of Third Parties Ideological parties focus on changing society in major ways Examples: The Green Party opposes the power of corporations and favors decision-making at the grassroots level. The Libertarian Party would like to increase individual freedoms by cutting the size of the U.S. government.

14 Third Parties Why might a Republican or Democratic candidate be opposed to a 3rd party candidate? Third Parties rarely win major elections because of the two-party tradition. While the names of Republican and Democratic candidates are automatically placed on the ballot, Third-Party candidates must obtain a large number of signatures to get on the ballot.

15 Today s Major Parties Competing political parties give voters a choice among candidates and ideas. A basic difference between the major parties is their belief in how much the government should be involved in the lives of Americans

16 Today s Major Parties Democrats tend to believe that the federal government should be more directly involved in regulating the economy and in providing housing, income, education, and jobs for the less fortunate. Democrats = Liberal

17 Today s Major Parties Republicans tend to believe that if they help the nation s economy grow, the less fortunate people will have a better chance of finding jobs on their own. They favor less government regulation of the economy as the best way to promote growth of production. Republicans = Conservative

18 Today s Major Parties Democrats tend to lean more liberal whereas Republicans are more conservative. Democrats and Republicans most often differ in their believes on the role of the government.

19 Party Platforms To know where a party stands on the major issues, the voters can look at the party s platform.

20 Party Platforms A platform is a series of statements expressing the party s principles, beliefs, and positions on issues. Each individual part of a platform is called a plank. The platform communicates to voters what the party plans to do if it wins.

21 Test Your Civics Skills! 1. What are the two major political parties in America? 2. Why might a Republican or Democratic candidate be opposed to run against a 3rd party candidate? Which party tends to be more liberal? Which party tend to be more conservative? What is a party platform?

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23 What are five things you would look for in a president? Education? Military experience? Age? Gender? Religion? Character? Previous government experience? Personality? Marital Status? Criminal history? What else would be important to you?

24 What does the Constitution say about who can be president? The President must be: Do you agree with the Constitutional qualifications?

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26 How to become President of the United STEP 1 Primaries and Caucuses There are many people who have their own ideas about how government should work. States What are the two main political parties in the United States today? People with similar ideas group together and form political parties

27 HOW TO BECOME PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES Candidates from each party campaign to gain leadership within their own party. STEP 1 Primaries and Caucuses Multiple people from each party may decide they want to be the candidate. This is where primaries and caucuses come in.

28 HOW TO BECOME PRESIDENT OF THE STEP 1 Primaries and Caucuses UNITED STATES Most states hold a primary, in which voters cast secret ballots for the best candidate that will represent the party in the general election. Click HERE to read more about primaries. This is where voters can cast their vote to determine who will represent each party.

29 Now it s time to officially decide who will be the Presidential and Vice Presidential candidate for each party.

30 HOW TO BECOME PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES STEP 2 National Conventions Photo from: /09/06/ _480x360.jpg Photo from: /08/30/ _480x360.jpg Each party holds a national convention to select a final presidential nominee.

31 HOW TO BECOME PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES STEP 2 National Conventions Photo from: /08/wonk0831.jpg Photo from: bidenobama-fdc1cd7ef8ae88d3fffb9cae1f3fb6c1e s3.jpg At the convention, the Presidential candidate announces a running mate (Vice Presidential Candidate).

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33 HOW TO BECOME PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES STEP 3 Campaigning The Presidential candidates campaign throughout the country to win the support of the general population.

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35 HOW TO BECOME PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES STEP 4 General Election People in every state across the country vote for a President and Vice President. When people cast their vote, they are actually voting for a group of people known as electors who are part of the process called the Electoral College. What is the Electoral College? Who are electors?

36 Who Can Vote? You have to be registered to vote. Once you are registered, you will get a voters registration card. On the registration card it tell you where you can vote on election day. If you cannot vote on election day, you can absentee vote. Absentee voting = voting at home, then mailing in your vote.