REPUBLICANS For Voldemort. VOTE REPUBLICAN it s easier than thinking. VOTE DEMOCRAT it s easier than working. Thomas Nast.

Transcription

1 REPUBLICANS For Voldemort Ted Kennedy s car has killed more people than Dick Cheney s gun. VOTE REPUBLICAN it s easier than thinking VOTE DEMOCRAT it s easier than working Thomas Nast Democrat Donkey first used in 1870 (the rooster was also a common mascot) Thomas Nast Elephant first used by Nast in He was a staunch and wanted a strong animal as the mascot. 1

2 Generalizations Socio-Economic Status (SES) Education Race Gender Employment Urban/Suburban/Exurban/Rural Geographical Region Religion Soccer Moms & NASCAR Dads The traditional political spectrum Electoral Sweet Spot Radicals Liberals s Conservative Reactionary Left Right Is a one-dimensional political spectrum enough? IdeaLog 2D Model KNOW THIS ONE! The Modern Dilemma FREEDOM EQUALITY LIBERAL FAVOR: Gov t activities that promote equality, such as affirmative action and increased spending on public housing. OPPOSE: Gov t actions that restrict individual liberties, such as banning sexually explicit movies or mandatory testing for AIDS. LIBERTARIAN OPPOSE: Government activities that interfere with the market, such as affirmative action programs and increased spending on public housing. OPPOSE: Gov t actions that restrict individual liberties, such as banning sexually explicit movies or mandatory testing for AIDS. COMMUNITARIAN FAVOR: Gov t activities that promote equality, such as affirmative action and increased spending on public housing. FAVOR: Gov t actions that impose social order, such as banning sexually explicit movies or mandatory testing for AIDS. CONSERVATIVE OPPOSE: Government activities that interfere with the market, such as affirmative action programs and increased spending on public housing. FAVOR: Gov t actions that impose social order, such as banning sexually explicit movies or mandatory testing for AIDS. FREEDOM The Original Dilemma ORDER 2

3 Why 2 Parties? British Tradition (Tories vs. Whigs) American 2-sided issues Federalists vs. Anti-Federalists North vs. South Rich vs. Poor Winner-Take-All Elections (plurality elections) Political Socialization Organization of Congress Laws against 3rd parties 5% for funding & debate access Signatures (over 700,000 required) Big Tent Parties Congressional Black Caucus Progressives Pro-Choice Crunchy Liberals Stonewall Tree Huggers Obamamas Uptown Reagan New Deal New Blue Dog Pro-Life Dixie-crats Representative Collin Peterson MN-7 3

4 Farmer-Labor party elected 4 governors and 3 senators between Democratic Party merged with the Farmer Labor party in In Minnesota, are called DFLers. In DC, DFLers call themselves Ds. From Watergate through 1995, Minnesota s called themselves the Independent-s. Q: Are Jackson, FDR, Clinton, and Kerry all the same because they re all? A: No. Because of Party Realignment Realignment occurs periodically, typically after one party has been dominant for many years New issues combined with a crisis persuade large numbers of voters to shift parties Shift in voters is not temporary or based on the personality of a singular candidate New coalition gains dominant control of the government (Congress & White House) Critical Election Theory Critical elections are the electoral earthquakes when realignment has occurred 1800 Jeffersonian s 1828 Jacksonian 1860 s 1932 (FDR s New Deal Coalition) Labor unions, new immigrants, city dwellers, liberals, African Americans, and southern whites 4

5 A New Rightward Alignment? Is there proof in the next slides of a realignment beginning with the Reagan Revolution? OR is there evidence that there is dealignment? Year President Senate House 2009 Obama 55*** Bush 51** Bush Bush Bush 0* Clinton Clinton Clinton Clinton Bush Bush Reagan Reagan Reagan Reagan What does this table mean for the federal courts? SCOTUS 6-3 APPEALS %-34% 12% vacant 5

6 How do the following affect the strength of political parties? The number of independents Closed Primaries The number of interest groups Patronage Ticket splitting Party discipline Party schisms Caucuses Apathy & cynicism Third Parties Types Bolter/Splinter Parties (Bull Moose) Ideological (Greens, Libertarians) Single-Issue (Grassroots) Personality/Celebrity? Dissolve when major parties steal their issues Perot s Reform Party from 19% to 10% to <1% Safety valve for disaffected voters Third Party Kingmakers 1912 Woodrow Wilson Democrat Debs Soc Teddy Roosevelt Progressive Taft* 1992 Clinton Democrat Perot Reform Bush* 2000 N G Gore Democrat Bush* 6

7 National-level party organization National Platform State Platform CA Candidates State Platform State Platform AL Candidates 7