Today’s Agenda

• Make up Quizzes • Return Chapter 4 Quiz• Begin 5.1 Slide Show• Homework– Begin Political Party Project – Bring Markers, Art Supplies tomorrow

Chapter 5: Political Parties

Section 1: Parties and What They Do

Based on the speech and your own common sense, why did the Republican party chose

Sarah Palin for the office of Vice President in 2008?Female

Vote

Mom Vote

Regular Person

Religious Vote Attractive

Family Values Vote

Young

Answer

• Not because she was the most qualified, the smartest, most experienced, best educated, possess expert knowledge of…

• They chose her because they wanted to win the election

What is a Political Party? • Group that seeks to control government by winning

elections and holding public office • Usually promote a general ideology or vision in a Party

Platform– Platform

• list of the values and actions which are supported by a political party

• Usually formed out of coalitions– Coalitions are alliances of many people of diverse

interests• Major Parties

– Democratic & Republican Parties– Primary goal is to get candidates elected

• Minor Parties– Green Party– Tea Party

• Issue driven• Primary goal is to create public awareness of issue

What Do Political Parties Do? The Nominating Function

• parties recruit and choose candidates– provide nominees with• a solid base of

support• Money

• Primary Elections– Used by parties to

narrow field of possible candidates

What Do Political Parties Do? The Informer-Stimulator Function

• parties take stands on issues and criticize the stands taken by their opponents

• parties use the news media to perform this "educational" function

• the function of informing the public and stimulating political debate is performed by the news media, interest groups, and the parties themselves

What Do Political Parties Do? The "Seal of Approval" Function

• parties try to ensure that the people they nominate are qualified and of good character • parties work to

ensure that elected officials perform their duties well

What Do Political Parties Do? The Governmental Function

• both State and federal public officials are regularly appointed on a partisan basis

• parties are the major agent for cooperation between the legislative and executive branches

What Do Political Parties Do? The Watchdog Function

• the party out of power scrutinizes and criticizes the action of government officials– Point out flaws of

incumbent party platform– Investigate ethical, legal

actions• their watchfulness forces

public officials to become responsive to popular concerns

Political Party Project• Informer-Stimulator Function

– Create a “Platform” • Pick 3 important national issues • Your party’s position on them

– Expose the flaws of other parties’ positions• Nominate Presidential Candidate/ Vice President

– Who would be the ideal candidates (Must be a real person)• Gender

– Man/Woman• Age• Ethnicity• Background

– Where born/raised– Education– Work Experience– Life Experience

• X-Factor

• Points: 50• Group size: 4 (at most)• Grade based on:

– Poster• Content• Creativity

– Presentation• How well you sell your

candidate to class

Your Political Project Poster should :1. List Issues2. Have a Slogan3. Address Opponents’ flaws4. Contain a picture of

Candidate5. List resume of his/her

Attributes

The Patriot Party

Overturn Obamacare

-End socialized medicine and

let individuals take

responsibility for themselves

Increase Military Spending

-Stop apologizing for American

greatness and restore American Power

around the world

Tax Cuts for the Job Creators

-Stop punishing success and

allow business to grow once

again

Marcus LutrellGender-MaleAge- 39Ethnicity- WhiteBackground/Work/Life Experience-former United States Navy SEAL, who received the Navy Cross and Purple Heart for his actions in June 2005 facing Taliban fighters during Operation Red WingsX-Factor- Incredible story of bravery, patriotism featured in movie, Lone Survivor

Sarah PalinGender- FemaleAge- 51Ethnicity- WhiteBackground/Work/Life Experience- Former mayor of Wasilla, Alaska and Governor of Alaska. Mother of 5, commentator and author Education- BA in Journalism from University of Idaho - Mayor of Wasilla, Alaska, Governor of Alaska from 2006-2009X-Factor- Excellent public speaker who easily relates to “soccer moms”

For President For Vice President