Party Structure Party Structure TodayToday

Chapter 9, Theme BChapter 9, Theme B

Parties Similar on PaperParties Similar on Paper National Conventions nominate the National Conventions nominate the

presidential candidates every 4 yrs.presidential candidates every 4 yrs. National Committee is composed of National Committee is composed of

delegates from states to manage affairs delegates from states to manage affairs between conventions.between conventions.

Congressional campaign comm. Work to Congressional campaign comm. Work to get party members elected.get party members elected.

National Chairs manage day-to-day work.National Chairs manage day-to-day work.– DNC Debbie Wasserman Schultz DNC Debbie Wasserman Schultz

http://www.democrats.org/about/bio/rep_debbie_wasserman_schultzhttp://www.democrats.org/about/bio/rep_debbie_wasserman_schultz

– RNC Reince Priebus RNC Reince Priebus http://www.gop.com/our-party/leadership/reince-http://www.gop.com/our-party/leadership/reince-priebus/priebus/

Political Party StructurePolitical Party StructureNational Committee:

Works to get the President & Congressional members elected; all sts. represented; organize Convention

State Committee: Works to get the Governor, Legislators

& Judges elected; Choose national delegates

Local Committee: Works to get local leader elected;

choose state delegates

Precinct Organization: Choose precinct officials from local party members;

Choose local committee

RNC vs. DNCRNC vs. DNC RNC moved to bureaucratic structure and RNC moved to bureaucratic structure and

as a result was able to well-finance party as a result was able to well-finance party and elect congressional candidates, later and elect congressional candidates, later Presidential candidates, too. (Presidential candidates, too. (WAR CHESTWAR CHEST))

DNC factionalized structure and DNC factionalized structure and redistributed power.redistributed power.

RNC used computerized mailing listsRNC used computerized mailing lists– A national firm of political consultantsA national firm of political consultants

Both parties once sent money to state Both parties once sent money to state parties to side-step FEC…soft moneyparties to side-step FEC…soft money

Soft money is now banned (BCRA)Soft money is now banned (BCRA)

National ConventionsNational Conventions

National Committee sets time & placeNational Committee sets time & place– Why are the locations important?Why are the locations important?

Issue a “call” setting the number of Issue a “call” setting the number of delegates for ea. State & rules of delegates for ea. State & rules of selection using complex formulas.selection using complex formulas.– Dem. Formula shift (To N & W)Dem. Formula shift (To N & W)– Rep. Formula shift (To S & SW)Rep. Formula shift (To S & SW)– Results? Dem. More left, Rep. more rightResults? Dem. More left, Rep. more right

National ConventionsNational Conventions DNC formula…reward large sts.DNC formula…reward large sts. RNC formula…reward loyal sts.RNC formula…reward loyal sts. REFORMS:REFORMS:

– DNC 1970s rules weakened local parties to give DNC 1970s rules weakened local parties to give strength to minorities at conventionstrength to minorities at convention

– Hunt Commission in 1981 gave more influence Hunt Commission in 1981 gave more influence to to superdelegatessuperdelegates http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WUL5TgyUrC0

RESULTS:RESULTS:– Parties represent different sets of upper middle Parties represent different sets of upper middle

classes…Rep. traditional middle class is more classes…Rep. traditional middle class is more conservative, Dem. New middle class is more conservative, Dem. New middle class is more liberal & educatedliberal & educated

National ConventionsNational Conventions

Why are national conventions Why are national conventions no longer as important to the no longer as important to the candidates?candidates?

Why has the primary & caucus Why has the primary & caucus replaced this tradition?replaced this tradition?

Besides nominating the party’s Besides nominating the party’s candidate, the party develops candidate, the party develops & writes the plans to the & writes the plans to the platform.platform.

Political MachinesPolitical Machines What is a political machine? What is a political machine?

– Always use incentives.Always use incentives.– Thrived before the Civil Service Thrived before the Civil Service

System was created due to System was created due to patronage.patronage.

Historical Examples:Historical Examples:– Tammany Hall’s Boss TweedTammany Hall’s Boss Tweed

The Hatch Act, Voter education & The Hatch Act, Voter education & Progressive reforms helped to end Progressive reforms helped to end most of these machines.most of these machines.

The Two-Party SystemThe Two-Party System Rarity among nations today Rarity among nations today Evenly balanced nationally, not Evenly balanced nationally, not

locallylocally Why such a permanent feature?Why such a permanent feature?

– Electoral system-winner-take-all and Electoral system-winner-take-all and plurality system plurality system

– Opinions of voters-two broad coalitions Opinions of voters-two broad coalitions work, although times of bitter dissentwork, although times of bitter dissent

– State laws have made it very difficult State laws have made it very difficult for third parties to get on the ballotfor third parties to get on the ballot

– Single member districtsSingle member districts

Types of Third or Minor Types of Third or Minor PartiesParties

Ideological PartiesIdeological Parties– Comprehensive, radical view; most Comprehensive, radical view; most

enduring enduring – Examples: Socialist, Communist, Examples: Socialist, Communist,

LibertarianLibertarian

One-Issue PartiesOne-Issue Parties– Address one concern, avoid othersAddress one concern, avoid others– Examples: Free Soil, Know-Nothing, Examples: Free Soil, Know-Nothing,

ProhibitionProhibition– Usually absorbed by a major partyUsually absorbed by a major party

Types of Third or Minor Types of Third or Minor PartiesParties

Economic Protest PartiesEconomic Protest Parties– Regional, protest economic conditionsRegional, protest economic conditions– Examples: Greenback, Populist, Tea Examples: Greenback, Populist, Tea

Party Party

Factional or Splinter PartiesFactional or Splinter Parties

– From split in a major partyFrom split in a major party– Examples: Bull Moose, George Wallace, Examples: Bull Moose, George Wallace,

American Independent, ReformAmerican Independent, Reform

Legal Obstacles to 3rd Legal Obstacles to 3rd PartiesParties

Getting on the ballotGetting on the ballot– Need % of voters on petition to get Need % of voters on petition to get

on ballot…Must do in nearly all on ballot…Must do in nearly all statesstates

Federal Campaign Finance LawsFederal Campaign Finance Laws– 5% of vote to get Federal Funds5% of vote to get Federal Funds– Limits on donations & spendingLimits on donations & spending

Electoral CollegeElectoral College– Winner Take All systemWinner Take All system

Single Member DistrictsSingle Member Districts Excluded From National debatesExcluded From National debates

Impacts of Third PartiesImpacts of Third Parties

Bring new ideas & issues to forefrontBring new ideas & issues to forefront Allows a voice for the fringe and Allows a voice for the fringe and

discontentdiscontent Enhances participationEnhances participation Makes two main parties broaden Makes two main parties broaden

appealappeal Makes two main parties address Makes two main parties address

issues and take positionsissues and take positions

How do we improve the 2-How do we improve the 2-Party System?Party System?

Discuss each alternative in CT Packet.Discuss each alternative in CT Packet. Sign on to Socrative Student App using Sign on to Socrative Student App using

room #917563.room #917563. Divide into parties. Take device with Divide into parties. Take device with

you!you! Announce method & review procedure.Announce method & review procedure. Nominate candidate.Nominate candidate.

Alternative Voting Alternative Voting SystemsSystems

Candidate Plurality Run-off Approval Cumulative

Party A

Party B

Party C

Party D

Alternative Voting Alternative Voting SystemsSystems

Candidate Plurality Run-off Approval Cumulative

Party A Kris Kris Riley

Party B Courtney Courtney Courtney

Party C Connor Connor Connor

Party D Tighe Tighe Tighe

Which method is best?Which method is best?

Now that we have discussed, outlined and Now that we have discussed, outlined and modeled alternative voting systems, which modeled alternative voting systems, which of the methods do you feel is best at of the methods do you feel is best at choosing a leader? Explain your answer choosing a leader? Explain your answer with details and relevant examples. with details and relevant examples. Choices include plurality, run-off, Choices include plurality, run-off, cumulative, approval, transferable, & cumulative, approval, transferable, & proportional. Paragraph due Tuesday.proportional. Paragraph due Tuesday.

AssignmentAssignment

Re-read the last section of chapter 9 on Re-read the last section of chapter 9 on voters vs. delegates to help understand voters vs. delegates to help understand next part of the assignment.next part of the assignment.

Read pp. 234-249. Take notes on Read pp. 234-249. Take notes on – Type of elections and issues related to eachType of elections and issues related to each– Differences between Pres. & Cong. ElectionsDifferences between Pres. & Cong. Elections– Issues that shape electionsIssues that shape elections

Due Tuesday!Due Tuesday!