Chapter 8Chapter 8

Political Parties,Political Parties,Candidates, andCandidates, and

Campaigns:Campaigns:

Defining the Defining the voter’s choicevoter’s choice

Political PartyPolitical Party

An ongoing coalition of interest joined An ongoing coalition of interest joined together in an effort to get its candidate for together in an effort to get its candidate for public office elected under a common label.public office elected under a common label.

“It is the competition of parties that provides the people with an opportunity

to make a choice. Without this opportunity popular sovereignty amounts

to nothing.”

E.E. Schattschneider

Chapter 8 Main PointsChapter 8 Main Points

Political competition in the United States has centered Political competition in the United States has centered on two parties, a pattern that is explained by the nature on two parties, a pattern that is explained by the nature of America’s electoral system, political institutions, and of America’s electoral system, political institutions, and political culture.political culture.

To win an electoral majority, candidates of the two To win an electoral majority, candidates of the two major parties must appeal to a diverse set of interest; major parties must appeal to a diverse set of interest; this necessity normally leads them to advocate this necessity normally leads them to advocate moderate and somewhat overlapping policies.moderate and somewhat overlapping policies.

U.S. party organizations are decentralized, fragmented U.S. party organizations are decentralized, fragmented and weak.and weak.

The ability of America’s party organizations to control The ability of America’s party organizations to control nominations and election to office is weak, which in nominations and election to office is weak, which in turn enhances the candidates’ role.turn enhances the candidates’ role.

Candidate-centered campaigns are based on the media Candidate-centered campaigns are based on the media and utilize the skills of professional consultants.and utilize the skills of professional consultants.

The History of U.S. The History of U.S. PartiesParties

The history of democratic government is The history of democratic government is virtually synonymous with the history of virtually synonymous with the history of

parties. When the United States was founded parties. When the United States was founded over two centuries ago, the formation of over two centuries ago, the formation of

parties was the first step toward the building parties was the first step toward the building of its democracy. The reason is simple: it is of its democracy. The reason is simple: it is

the competition among parties that gives the competition among parties that gives popular majorities a chance to influence how popular majorities a chance to influence how

they will be governed.they will be governed.

First PartiesFirst PartiesAmerica’s early political leaders mistrusted parties:

George Washington warned the nation of the “baneful effects” of political parties in his farewell address.

America’s parties originated in the rivalry within George Washington’s administration between Thomas Jefferson (who supported states’ rights and small landholders) and

Alexander Hamilton (who promoted a strong national government and commercial interest). Hamilton’s idea eventually prevailed in Congress. Jefferson and his followers formed a political party, the Republicans

(Jeffersonians). Hamilton responded by organizing his supporters into a formal party – the Federalists. Thus,

America’s first competitive party system was born.

Republican Versus Democrats: Republican Versus Democrats: RealignmentsRealignments After the Civil War, the nation settled into the After the Civil War, the nation settled into the

pattern of competition between the Republican pattern of competition between the Republican and Democratic parties that has prevailed ever and Democratic parties that has prevailed ever since. The durability of these two parties is due since. The durability of these two parties is due not to their ideological consistency but to their not to their ideological consistency but to their remarkable ability to adapt during periods of remarkable ability to adapt during periods of crisis.crisis.

Party RealignmentParty Realignment – An election or set of elections – An election or set of elections in which the electorate responds strongly to an in which the electorate responds strongly to an extraordinary powerful issue that has disrupted extraordinary powerful issue that has disrupted the established political order.the established political order.

Civil War RealignmentCivil War Realignment

The Republicans replaced the The Republicans replaced the Democrats as the nation’s Democrats as the nation’s

majority party. The Republicans majority party. The Republicans were the dominant party in the were the dominant party in the

larger and more populous North, larger and more populous North, while the Democratic party was while the Democratic party was left with a stronghold in what left with a stronghold in what

became none as the “Solid became none as the “Solid South”. Lincoln wins election South”. Lincoln wins election

with only 40% of the popular vote.with only 40% of the popular vote.

The Great Depression The Great Depression RealignmentRealignment

The republican Herbert Hoover was president The republican Herbert Hoover was president when the stock market crashed in 1929, and when the stock market crashed in 1929, and

many Americans blamed Hoover, his party, and many Americans blamed Hoover, his party, and its business allies for the economic its business allies for the economic

catastrophe that followed. The Democrats catastrophe that followed. The Democrats became the country’s majority party. Their became the country’s majority party. Their

political and policy agenda called for an political and policy agenda called for an expanded social and economic role for the expanded social and economic role for the

national government. Franklin D. Roosevelt’s national government. Franklin D. Roosevelt’s presidency began a 32 year period of presidency began a 32 year period of

Democratic presidents that was interrupted Democratic presidents that was interrupted only by Dwight D. Eisenhower’s two terms in only by Dwight D. Eisenhower’s two terms in

the 1950’s.the 1950’s.

Today’s Party Alignment Today’s Party Alignment and Its Originand Its Origin

Today, most top officials in the southern states are Today, most top officials in the southern states are Republican. The Northeastern states have become Republican. The Northeastern states have become more Democratic. The shift is partly attributable to the more Democratic. The shift is partly attributable to the growing size of minority populations in the Northeast.growing size of minority populations in the Northeast.

The GOP (short for “Grand Old Party” and another The GOP (short for “Grand Old Party” and another name for the Republican Party) has held the presidency name for the Republican Party) has held the presidency for twice as many years as the Democrats since 1968.for twice as many years as the Democrats since 1968.

(reason)(reason) Dealignment – A partial but enduring weakening of Dealignment – A partial but enduring weakening of

party members who don’t feel strongly enough about party members who don’t feel strongly enough about their party to go to the polls and vote. their party to go to the polls and vote.

Electoral and Party SystemsElectoral and Party Systems The United States has traditionally had a two The United States has traditionally had a two

party system:party system:

EX. Federalist v. Jeffersonian Republicans, EX. Federalist v. Jeffersonian Republicans, Whigs v. Democrats, Democrats v. RepublicansWhigs v. Democrats, Democrats v. Republicans

Two – Party SystemTwo – Party System – Only two political parties – Only two political parties have a real chance of acquiring control of have a real chance of acquiring control of government. (A two party system is the government. (A two party system is the exception / not the rule.)exception / not the rule.)

Multi – Party SystemMulti – Party System – Three or more political – Three or more political parties have the capacity to gain control of parties have the capacity to gain control of government separately or in coalition.government separately or in coalition.

The Single-Member-The Single-Member-District System of District System of

ElectionElection Single-Member Districts – The form of Single-Member Districts – The form of representation in which only the representation in which only the candidate who gets the most votes in a candidate who gets the most votes in a district wins office. This system district wins office. This system discourages minor parties.discourages minor parties.

European Democracies (Belgium, European Democracies (Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, Denmark, Sweden, Netherlands)Sweden, Netherlands)

Proportional Representation – Seats in Proportional Representation – Seats in the legislature are allocated the legislature are allocated proportionally according to each proportionally according to each political party’s share of the popular political party’s share of the popular vote.vote.

The Single-Member-The Single-Member-District System of District System of

ElectionElection **Best described as a “Hierarchical **Best described as a “Hierarchical Structure” because it provides Structure” because it provides smaller parties an incentive to smaller parties an incentive to organize and compete for power.organize and compete for power.

Germany 2002 Election – Green Germany 2002 Election – Green Party receives 9% of popular vote Party receives 9% of popular vote and 55 seats in the German and 55 seats in the German Parliament. Under the U.S. Parliament. Under the U.S. system, they would have won zilch.system, they would have won zilch.

Politics and Coalitions in Politics and Coalitions in the Two – Party Systemthe Two – Party System

The overriding goal of a major American The overriding goal of a major American political party is to gain power by getting political party is to gain power by getting its candidates elected to public office.its candidates elected to public office.

American political parties are “creatures of American political parties are “creatures of compromise”. In other words, moderation compromise”. In other words, moderation is always the best policy.is always the best policy.

Anytime a party makes a pronounced shift Anytime a party makes a pronounced shift toward the extreme, the political center is toward the extreme, the political center is left open for the opposing party.left open for the opposing party.

Politics and Coalitions in Politics and Coalitions in the Two – Party Systemthe Two – Party System

Example - 1972 Presidential ElectionExample - 1972 Presidential ElectionGeorge McGovern – Democratic George McGovern – Democratic

nominee nominee who who took drastic took drastic positions on Vietnam and positions on Vietnam and income income security that alarmed many security that alarmed many voters.voters.

McGovern lost the election in one of the McGovern lost the election in one of the greatest landslides in political history.greatest landslides in political history.

Popular Vote - 37% Democratic Popular Vote - 37% Democratic (McGovern) (McGovern) 63% Republican (Nixon)63% Republican (Nixon)

Electoral Vote - 3% Democratic Electoral Vote - 3% Democratic 97% Republican97% Republican

(Only Massachusetts and D.C. voted (Only Massachusetts and D.C. voted Democratic)Democratic)

Political PointPolitical Point

Moderation is the best policy. Moderation is the best policy. When the public’s mood When the public’s mood

changes, parties must also changes, parties must also shift in a way not to alienate shift in a way not to alienate

its members.its members.

Party Coalitions Party Coalitions – The groups and – The groups and interests that support a political interests that support a political

party.party. Americas two-party system requires Americas two-party system requires

each party to accommodate a wide each party to accommodate a wide range of interest in order to gain the range of interest in order to gain the voting plurality necessary to win voting plurality necessary to win elections.elections.

There are only a few sizeable groups There are only a few sizeable groups that are tightly aligned with a party. that are tightly aligned with a party. African Americans are the clearest African Americans are the clearest example; they vote about 90% example; they vote about 90% Democratic in national elections.Democratic in national elections.

If a party did not stand for something – if it If a party did not stand for something – if it never took sides – it would lose all support. never took sides – it would lose all support.

Since the 1930’s, the major policy differences Since the 1930’s, the major policy differences between the Republicans and the Democrats between the Republicans and the Democrats

have involved the national governments role in have involved the national governments role in solving social and economic problems.solving social and economic problems.

Democratic Coalition Democratic Coalition – Usually draws – Usually draws support from society’s underdogs.support from society’s underdogs.

** African Americans, Union Members, ** African Americans, Union Members, the the Poor, City Dwellers, Hispanics, Jews Poor, City Dwellers, Hispanics, Jews and and other minorities – Northeastern States.other minorities – Northeastern States.

Republican Coalition Republican Coalition

Consists mainly of white middle-class Consists mainly of white middle-class Protestants. A party of tax cuts and Protestants. A party of tax cuts and

business incentives that supports school business incentives that supports school prayer and opposes abortion and same-sex prayer and opposes abortion and same-sex

marriages. – Southern Statesmarriages. – Southern States

Minor PartiesMinor PartiesAlthough the U.S. electoral system discourages Although the U.S. electoral system discourages the formation of third parties, the nation has the formation of third parties, the nation has always had minor parties – more than a thousand always had minor parties – more than a thousand over the nation’s history.over the nation’s history.Main Purpose – Making the major parties more Main Purpose – Making the major parties more responsive to the public’s concerns by pulling responsive to the public’s concerns by pulling votes away from them.votes away from them.Three Types of Minor Parties:Three Types of Minor Parties:

1. 1. Factional PartiesFactional Parties 2.2. Single-Issue PartiesSingle-Issue Parties

3. Ideological Parties3. Ideological Parties

Factional PartiesFactional Parties

Internal conflict within a party leads a Internal conflict within a party leads a faction to a break away and form a party.faction to a break away and form a party.

** 1968 George Wallace’s ** 1968 George Wallace’s “American “American Independent Party”Independent Party” – Formed by white – Formed by white southern Democrats angered by southern Democrats angered by northern Democrats support of civil northern Democrats support of civil rights for African Americans.rights for African Americans.

Single-Issue PartiesSingle-Issue Parties

Parties that form around a single issue Parties that form around a single issue of overriding interest to it’s supporters.of overriding interest to it’s supporters.

Right to Life PartyRight to Life Party – Opposed abortion – Opposed abortion legislation.legislation.

Prohibition PartyProhibition Party – Contributed to the – Contributed to the ratification of the Eighteenth ratification of the Eighteenth Amendment (1919).Amendment (1919).

Ideological PartiesIdeological Parties

Parties characterized by a broad and radical Parties characterized by a broad and radical philosophical position.philosophical position.

The Green Party – Ideological party that holds The Green Party – Ideological party that holds liberal views on the environment, labor, liberal views on the environment, labor, taxation, social welfare and other issues.taxation, social welfare and other issues.

Ralph Nader – 2000 Presidential Election – Ralph Nader – 2000 Presidential Election – Nader received 3% of the national vote. Most of Nader received 3% of the national vote. Most of his support came form voters who would have his support came form voters who would have voted for Democratic candidate Al Gore. Thus, voted for Democratic candidate Al Gore. Thus, tipping the election toward Republican nominee tipping the election toward Republican nominee and current president, and current president, George W. BushGeorge W. Bush..

Party OrganizationsParty Organizations ** Main Purpose – the contesting of elections.** Main Purpose – the contesting of elections.

► Nomination – Refers to the selection of the individual who Nomination – Refers to the selection of the individual who will run will run as the party’s candidate in the as the party’s candidate in the general election.general election.

► Early Twentieth Century – Nominations were entirely the Early Twentieth Century – Nominations were entirely the responsibility of party organizationsresponsibility of party organizations

► ** Led to extortion from those seeking political favors – “To ** Led to extortion from those seeking political favors – “To the victors go the spoils”.the victors go the spoils”.

► Patronage – Rewarding party workers for their loyalty with Patronage – Rewarding party workers for their loyalty with jobs / contracts.jobs / contracts.

► Reform – Minded Progressives – Argued the power to Reform – Minded Progressives – Argued the power to nominate should rest with ordinary voter rather than with nominate should rest with ordinary voter rather than with the party – leaders.the party – leaders.

(Result)(Result)

► Primary Elections – A form of election in which voters Primary Elections – A form of election in which voters choose a party’s nominees for public office.choose a party’s nominees for public office.

Forms of Primary Elections

Closed Primary – Participation is limited to voters registered or declared at the polls as members of the party whose primary is being held. (Held by most states)

Open Primary – Independents and voters of either party to vote in a party’s primary.

Primaries are the severest impediment to the strength of the party organization. If primaries did not exist, candidates would have to work through party organizations in order to get nominated.

The Parties And Money

** The parties’ major role in campaigns is the raising and spending of money.

A party can legally give $10,000 to a House candidate and $37,500 to a Senate candidate. This funding, along with the money a candidate receives from individual contributors ($2,000 maximum per contributor) and interest groups ($5,000 maximum per group) is termed Hard Money. It goes directly to the candidate and can be spent as he or she chooses.

Soft Money – Campaign contributions that are not subject to legal limits and are given to parties rather than directly to candidates.

The Money ChaseThe Money Chase

Campaigns for high office are expensive, Campaigns for high office are expensive, and the costs keep rising. In 1980, and the costs keep rising. In 1980, about $250 million was spent on all about $250 million was spent on all Senate and House campaigns combined. Senate and House campaigns combined. The figure topped $1 Billion in 2000.The figure topped $1 Billion in 2000.

A U.S. Senator must raise $20,000 a A U.S. Senator must raise $20,000 a week on average throughout the entire week on average throughout the entire six-year term in order to raise the $6 six-year term in order to raise the $6 Million that it takes to run a competitive Million that it takes to run a competitive Senate campaign in many states.Senate campaign in many states.