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 1874. He was a staunch and wanted a strong animal as the mascot. 1
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
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
Farmer-Labor party elected 4 governors and 3 senators between 1918-1944 Democratic Party merged with the Farmer Labor party in 1944. 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
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*** 256 2007 Bush 51** 233 2005 Bush 55 232 2003 Bush 51 229 2001 Bush 0* 221 1999 Clinton 55 223 1997 Clinton 55 228 1995 Clinton 52 230 1993 Clinton 57 258 1991 Bush 56 267 1989 Bush 55 260 1987 Reagan 55 258 1985 Reagan 53 253 1983 Reagan 54 269 1981 Reagan 53 242 What does this table mean for the federal courts? SCOTUS 6-3 APPEALS 97-61 54%-34% 12% vacant 5
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
National-level party organization National Platform State Platform CA Candidates State Platform State Platform AL Candidates 7