The Political ProcessSSCG 15

Political Parties□ A political party is a group of persons who seek to

control government through the winning of elections and holding public office.

□ Partisanship is strong support of a party.

Political Parties□ The United States has a two-party system, □ The two dominant political parties are the

Republicans and the Democrats. □ The Republican Party tends to take a more

conservative stance on issues □ The Democratic Party usually supports more liberal

policy issues.

Republicans vs. Democrats On the Issues

□ Democrats support:■ Gov. to solve issues■ Regulations on

businesses■ Progressive tax system ■ Progressive societal

structure■ Limited military

spending

□ Republicans support:■ Limited government

size ■ Fewer regulations on

businesses ■ Lower taxes■ Traditional societal

structure / values■ Big military

Nomination and Elections□ Nomination means that a person is selected to run

for public office■ At the local level, people just self announce■ At the national level for presidential candidates, the two

major parties conduct their own state by state elections know as primaries

Nomination and Elections□ After a winner has emerged from the primaries, a

national convention is held for each party.□ At the convention the…

■ Candidates are formally announced ■ Speeches are given by important members of the party in

order to “bring the party together”.■ A party platform is established

□ A platform is an outline of the parties basic principles and goals for the next 4 years.

Nomination and Elections□ General elections are regularly scheduled elections

at which voters make the final selection of officeholders. ■ States are in charge of elections■ Each state must have…

□ A precinct is a voting district. The precincts are the smallest geographic units for the purpose of elections.

□ A ballot is the device by which a voter registers his or her choices in an election. Most ballots are cast electronically

Campaign Finance□ Running for President costs billions.

■ Radio and television time■ Professional campaign managers■ Newspaper and online advertising, posters, bumper

stickers■ Office rental space, polling, mass mailings, websites,

travel, etc.

Campaign Finance□ Funding sources include:

■ Private donors – large and small■ Candidates own resources■ Political Action Committees

□ Independent groups that collect funds and campaign for individuals

Campaign Finance □ A Super PAC makes expenditures in federal races

for running campaign ads for or against a candidate.■ Their messages specifically advocate for the election or

defeat of a particular candidate. ■ There are no limits or restrictions on the use of funds

spent by Super PACs.

Campaign Finance

□ Hard money - money raised and spent to elect Congressional and Presidential candidates.

□ Soft money refers to the funds given to party organizations for ‘party-building activities’, such as the recruitment of candidates, voter registration drives, and other efforts utilized to build party membership.

Political Influence□ Media includes any type of mass communication,

such as the Internet, television, newspapers, and radio. They impact the political landscape in three ways: ■ Influencing the political opinion of voters■ Determining the behavior of candidates■ Setting the public agenda

Political Influence□ Campaign advertising in politics is designed

to influence voter behavior. ■ Radio, TV, Newspapers, Magazines, etc.■ Social Media – “Fake News”

Political Influence □ Public opinion polls are human research surveys

often used in politics. ■ Polls can be via telephone, online, or in person. ■ Results guide future campaigning and advertising

activities. ■ May rely on polling results to help make a decision.