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Government Government Final ReviewFinal Review
Who is Who in Who is Who in Government?Government?
Local GovernmentLocal Government– Erie County Executive = Chris Erie County Executive = Chris
CollinsCollins– Mayor of Kenmore = Pat MangMayor of Kenmore = Pat Mang– Town of Ton. Supervisor = Anthony Town of Ton. Supervisor = Anthony
CaruanaCaruana State GovernmentState Government
– David Patterson = GovernorDavid Patterson = Governor– Robin Schimminger = AssemblymanRobin Schimminger = Assemblyman
Who is Who in Who is Who in Government?Government?
National GovernmentNational Government– John Roberts = Supreme Court Chief John Roberts = Supreme Court Chief
JusticeJustice– Nancy Pelosi = Speaker of the HouseNancy Pelosi = Speaker of the House– Hillary Clinton = Secretary of StateHillary Clinton = Secretary of State
Primary ElectionPrimary Election
a method by which a political party a method by which a political party chooses its nominees for public officechooses its nominees for public office
winners of primary elections run winners of primary elections run against nominees of other parties in against nominees of other parties in the general electionthe general election
unique U.S. institution, born in the era unique U.S. institution, born in the era of political reform at the beginning of of political reform at the beginning of the 20th centurythe 20th century
**choice is private****choice is private**
CaucusesCaucuses
The word "caucus" means: "to gather The word "caucus" means: "to gather together and make a great noise."together and make a great noise."
series of party meetings where there is series of party meetings where there is much debatemuch debate
At each level, party members vote for At each level, party members vote for delegates who will take their opinions delegates who will take their opinions on the choice of presidential candidate on the choice of presidential candidate forward to the next levelforward to the next level
**choice is public****choice is public**
The ElectorateThe Electorate
The electorate refers to the The electorate refers to the eligible voting population in a eligible voting population in a country.country.
Any US citizen, 18 years of age Any US citizen, 18 years of age with no felonies, is allowed to with no felonies, is allowed to vote as long as they are vote as long as they are registered. registered.
Who is Who is mostmost likely to likely to vote?vote? Higher education level (*best Higher education level (*best
indicator*)indicator*) Higher incomeHigher income Older (the elderly)Older (the elderly) Married (influenced by spouse)Married (influenced by spouse) WhiteWhite SuburbsSuburbs
Who is Who is leastleast likely to likely to vote?vote? Lower education levelLower education level Lower incomeLower income YoungerYounger SingleSingle MinorityMinority Rural AreasRural Areas
VotingVoting
Voting in presidential elections is the Voting in presidential elections is the most common form of political activitymost common form of political activity
However, many people don’t vote. However, many people don’t vote. Why?Why?– Too busyToo busy– Don’t careDon’t care– My vote doesn’t countMy vote doesn’t count– Issues don’t concern meIssues don’t concern me– LazyLazy
Political SpectrumPolitical Spectrum
LiberalsLiberals ModeratesModerates Conservatives Conservatives
* Most people are moderates (in * Most people are moderates (in the middle)the middle)
What is a political What is a political party?party? An organized group who share An organized group who share
common beliefs, who work common beliefs, who work together to:together to:– Win electionsWin elections– Control governmentControl government– Set public policySet public policy
Political PartiesPolitical Parties
George Washington and the George Washington and the Founders of the Constitution Founders of the Constitution believed that political parties believed that political parties were:were:– InevitableInevitable– A danger to the nationA danger to the nation
Democratic Platform Democratic Platform IdeasIdeas
Social equalitySocial equality Government involvement in the Government involvement in the
lives of the peoplelives of the people Funded programsFunded programs Protect resources and Protect resources and
environmentenvironment
Democratic PartyDemocratic Party
Types of PeopleTypes of People– Blacks Blacks – LatinosLatinos– Labor unionsLabor unions– ImmigrantsImmigrants– Little educationLittle education– JewsJews– LiberalsLiberals– MinoritiesMinorities
RegionRegion– Urban areasUrban areas– NortheastNortheast– West Coast West Coast
(California)(California)
Party SymbolsParty Symbols
The Donkey represents the The Donkey represents the Democrats.Democrats.
President Andrew Jackson was President Andrew Jackson was depicted as a “Jackass.”depicted as a “Jackass.”
Republican Platform Republican Platform IdeasIdeas
Family valuesFamily values Religion (schoolprayer is OK)Religion (schoolprayer is OK) Less Gov’t involvementLess Gov’t involvement Wealthy/prosperous economy Wealthy/prosperous economy
more important than the more important than the environmentenvironment
Republican PartyRepublican Party
Types of PeopleTypes of People– WASPsWASPs– EducatedEducated– BusinessesBusinesses– Professional Professional
groupsgroups– WealthyWealthy– ConservativesConservatives
RegionRegion– SuburbsSuburbs– WestWest– MidwestMidwest– Rural areasRural areas– SouthSouth
Party SymbolsParty Symbols
The Elephant represents the The Elephant represents the Republicans.Republicans.
Why? Ulysses S. Grant was Why? Ulysses S. Grant was portrayed as a marching portrayed as a marching elephant.elephant.
What is the Solid What is the Solid South?South? Southern States strictly vote for Southern States strictly vote for
the same partythe same party
The Civil WarThe Civil War
Just after the Civil War, the Solid Just after the Civil War, the Solid South voted overwhelmingly South voted overwhelmingly Democratic because the focus of Democratic because the focus of the Republican Party was the the Republican Party was the issue of anti-slavery (slavery issue of anti-slavery (slavery existed in the South and was existed in the South and was eventually outlawed).eventually outlawed).
What is Realignment?What is Realignment?
A long term shift in voting A long term shift in voting patterns from one party to patterns from one party to anotheranother– The Solid South!The Solid South!
Realignment of the Realignment of the SouthSouth The Solid South realigned in the The Solid South realigned in the
1950s-1960s to the Republican Party1950s-1960s to the Republican Party Southerners believed Democrats Southerners believed Democrats
were becoming too liberal, supporting were becoming too liberal, supporting the Civil Rights Movementthe Civil Rights Movement
Southern White voters now vote for Southern White voters now vote for RepublicansRepublicans
Straight Party TicketStraight Party Ticket
Voting for all the candidates of Voting for all the candidates of one partyone party– Ex) I voted for all the Democratic Ex) I voted for all the Democratic
candidates in the last electioncandidates in the last election
Split TicketSplit Ticket
Vote cast on one ballot for Vote cast on one ballot for candidates of two or more candidates of two or more different political partiesdifferent political parties– Ex) Voting for a Democratic Ex) Voting for a Democratic
President, a Republican President, a Republican Congressman, and an Independent Congressman, and an Independent legislatorlegislator
The Electoral CollegeThe Electoral College
The Electoral College influences The Electoral College influences candidates to campaign in the candidates to campaign in the states with the most electoral votes states with the most electoral votes (states with largest population). (states with largest population).
California, Texas, & New York have California, Texas, & New York have the most number of electoral votes.the most number of electoral votes.
Other “showdown states” include Other “showdown states” include Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Florida. Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Florida.
Third PartiesThird Parties
In the U.S., we have a two-party In the U.S., we have a two-party system, yet several third parties system, yet several third parties have emerged throughout time.have emerged throughout time.
Although third parties do not have Although third parties do not have much power in elections, they serve much power in elections, they serve a greater purpose:a greater purpose:– they discuss issues and concerns that they discuss issues and concerns that
the two main parties would otherwise the two main parties would otherwise ignore!ignore!
Why do politicians Why do politicians need money?need money? To campaign To campaign To set up ads (photo-ops, To set up ads (photo-ops,
commercials)commercials) To hold dinnersTo hold dinners To travel to states (hold rallies)To travel to states (hold rallies) To educate votersTo educate voters
Soft MoneySoft Money
Soft money refers to Soft money refers to unlimitedunlimited donations to the donations to the political political partiesparties for the purpose of for the purpose of party-party-buildingbuilding activities. activities.
Most recently given to 527 groups Most recently given to 527 groups without any real limitswithout any real limits
Hard MoneyHard Money
Hard money refers to money Hard money refers to money donated to a specific political donated to a specific political candidate.candidate.
Regulated to $1,000 a year per Regulated to $1,000 a year per candidatecandidate
Political Action Political Action Committees (PACs)Committees (PACs) Set up by an interest groupSet up by an interest group Their main function is to raise and Their main function is to raise and
contribute funds to a candidate contribute funds to a candidate Given to the candidate that Given to the candidate that
appears to agree with the beliefs appears to agree with the beliefs of their interest groupof their interest group
EX) MADD will give $ to a EX) MADD will give $ to a candidate that promises stricter candidate that promises stricter DWI lawsDWI laws
Interest GroupsInterest Groups
Influence the political process by:Influence the political process by:– Appealing to public opinionAppealing to public opinion– Lobbying (lobbyists provide info to Lobbying (lobbyists provide info to
legislators and the public)legislators and the public)– Contributing $ to candidatesContributing $ to candidates
Interest GroupsInterest Groups
Most IG’s in Washington, DC Most IG’s in Washington, DC represent corporations and represent corporations and businessesbusinesses
Allow individuals to speak in a Allow individuals to speak in a louder, combined voicelouder, combined voice
People join IG’s because they feel People join IG’s because they feel strongly about the goal the IG is strongly about the goal the IG is trying to achievetrying to achieve
The MediaThe Media
Decides what issues to focus on, thus Decides what issues to focus on, thus affecting which issues the public affecting which issues the public thinks are importantthinks are important
The media also has 4 major The media also has 4 major functions:functions:
– InformsInforms– EntertainsEntertains– InvestigatesInvestigates– AdvertisesAdvertises
Impact of the MediaImpact of the Media
PositivesPositives– CompetitionCompetition– Gain appealGain appeal– Make profitMake profit
NegativesNegatives– SensationalismSensationalism– Too critical of Too critical of
gov’t gov’t – Too invasiveToo invasive
The MediaThe Media
Free MediaFree Media– Hillary Clinton appears on the Hillary Clinton appears on the
Tonight Show with Jay LenoTonight Show with Jay Leno– Hillary Clinton attends a rally in Hillary Clinton attends a rally in
downtown Buffalo – all local news downtown Buffalo – all local news stations cover the storystations cover the story
*No control over what is shown in the *No control over what is shown in the mediamedia
The MediaThe Media
Paid MediaPaid Media– Barack Obama pays for a TV Barack Obama pays for a TV
commercial promoting himself as commercial promoting himself as the best Democratic Presidential the best Democratic Presidential candidate for the 2008 election.candidate for the 2008 election.
*Can control what is seen/heard*Can control what is seen/heard
Media as the EliteMedia as the Elite
The Media is sometimes called The Media is sometimes called the “4the “4thth Branch of Government” Branch of Government”
The media acts as a “lens” and The media acts as a “lens” and has the power to:has the power to:– Present a candidate as good or evilPresent a candidate as good or evil– Ignore a candidateIgnore a candidate– Distort our perception of candidatesDistort our perception of candidates
Other Things to Other Things to Study…Study… Pillars of DemocracyPillars of Democracy Bill of Rights & Important AmendmentsBill of Rights & Important Amendments
– 1st Amendment1st Amendment– 10th Amendment10th Amendment– 14th Amendment14th Amendment– 15th Amendment15th Amendment– 19th Amendment19th Amendment– 26th Amendment26th Amendment
GOOD LUCK!!GOOD LUCK!!