Unit 3 (ch8, 9, 11) 1

UNIT 3 STUDY GUIDE Ch 8, 9, 11

POLITICAL PARTIES
1. Founding Fathers feared that parties had potential to be forms for corruption and national divisiveness. (Beginning of ch. 8) Federalist 10evils of factions 2. How has party identification influenced the decline of the parties? Since, generally speaking, people vote with the party theyre identified with, a shift in % pts can be very siginicant. Party image reflected identification. In 2008 37% of the population called themselves independents. The younger a person is, the more likely he/she is to be independent. (253) Plus, parties have been more inclined to move towards the middle to gain votes. a. Party Dealignment (265) i. Many people are moving away from the parties 3. Functions of the party? (5 main ones249) a. Parties pick candidates, run campaigns, give cues to voters (no extensive research is needed because people can rely on their parties), articulate policies, coordinate policy making (between branches of govt) 4. History/orgins of the party a. 1796-1824 The First Party System i. Federalists (Hamilton) 1. Capitalists, pro democracy, ii. Jeffersonians (Jefferson, Madison, MonroeDemocratic-Republicans) 1. Argrarian interests, popular in South, wanted to be all things to all people, b. 1828-1856 i. Democratic Party (Jackson) 1. Eliminate elitism, mobilize the masses ii. Whigs (Martin Van Buren) 1. Must have loyal opposition to Democrats, southern planters and northern industrialists c. 1860-1928 i. Republicans (Lincoln) 1. Anti-slavery, Abe Lincoln, gold standard, high tariffs, industrial working ii. Democrats (William Bryan) 1. Free silver helping debtors d. 1932-1964: New Deal Coalition i. Democrats 1. New Deal Coalition a. Rooseveldts Anti-depression measures that appealed to lots ii. Republicans e. 1968-Present: Southern Realignment and the Era of divided party govt i. Republicans (Nixon) 1. Southern Strategy, states rights, law and order, military posture. The south became more Republican ii. Democrats 1. Usually there was a democratic congress and republican presidency

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5. Plurality vs. MajorityMajority is more than half, and plurality is just the most a. In the Presidential election you need a majority, in the electoral college you only need a plurality 6. Centralized parties--- Since more and more young people are becoming independents, in order to appeal to the public enough to win an election parties are becoming more and more centralized in their proposals and ideas. Ticket splittingsome republican and some democrat representatives in both statesis increasingly common 7. Third parties in the Two Party System a. Third Parties (3 types) i. Either Support certain causes, are splinter parties offshooted from major parties, or an extension of a individual seeking the presidency ii. They are other mediums for public to express popular discontent 1. Ralph put more concern on environment, and took the presidency from Al Gore by taking away some liberal votes iii. Swing votes, force major parties to be LESS centralized iv. Bring up issues to be addressed by major parties b. Two Party system is entrenched in our politics i. We have a moderation of political conflict ii. They are linkage institutions, they simplify things for the people, education, the provide a clear choice iii. Winner-take-all system 8. Party activists are individuals who work in and support a particular party 9. Decline in partiesreason a. Party dealignment, more young independents, less party control b. People choose smaller parties i. Then nobody forms a majority c. People are angry d. Politicans no longer rely on the electorate e. The justice system has a huge role f. Electoral deadlock g. Parties have become coalitions of public officials h. Incumbents have become more powerful i. Ticket splitting j. Growing special interest groups k. Dwindling principles of collective responsibility l. Parties dont engage voters m. Increase in # of elections n. Parties are less evident in campaigning o. Voters are either for or against the president p. Arent important differences between political parties q. Educated voters do not rely on parties for information r. Increase in ideological single-sissue groups (focus on candidates in issues s. More PACsless $ from PP t. Political reform= no more political machine u. Loss of party cohesion in voting v. Weak grassroots and party membership w. Increase in mistrust and discontent 10. Party Organization a. Has a comparatively limited role, pursues electoral victory, on all levels of govt,

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i. Has natl comitee, runs natl convention, has natl chairperson 11. Myths a. National party organizations control state and local parties i. Really, state and local organizations do door-to-door work, provide signs, In yards, b. Local places vote differentlythey dont oversee eachother c. Founders belived party system was essential i. No they didnt see #1 12. Effect of primaties a. Frontloading b. Longer lasting electoral process c. More costs d. Media has too much influence e. Unbalanced power given to states 13. Straight party vote, who would win a. Democrats 14. Democratic Leadership Council (DCL) 1985
a. With Clinton, who was selective of the members b. He sought women, latinos, youth and blacks (like Obama) c. , argued the United States Democratic Party should shift away from the leftward turn it took in the late 1960s, 1970s, and 1980s. d. This was after Reaganthey sought to get the electorate back to the middle instead of right 15. DNC/RLC (from video) a. Acceptance by candidates b. DNC was in Boston, RNC was in NY c. Truth Spotting i. Hand-in-hand combat to attack opponentsits fast and stealthy, and both sides do it d. Delegates, senators, and other representatives speak at conventions e. Boiler room i. Makes sure delegates are prepared to respond to big momentsphones and hectic. When he says this, lift up all the vertical signs f. Opposing parties were at opposing conventions g. Conventions have an effect on polls h. Effect of National Conventions on Campaign i. Free publicity ii. Reinforces good party image iii. Gets everything up and running iv. The start of the season v. Televised speech with national exposure vi. Poll bounce vii. Other candidates

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CAMPAIGNS/ELECTIONS
1. National Convention a. Are every 4 years before the presidential election, b. The purpose: to announce the candidate endorced by that party, to announce the party platform, a to determine and start a campaign strategy, and to pick a running mate c. Place determined reflects an area significant to that campaign. i. Ie. Republicans chose NY b/c of 9-11 2. Coalitionsgroups supporting a candidate a. Republican odd coalitions of 2008 i. Protestant, Religious, Ages 45-59 b. Democrat coalitions that arent intuitive i. Asian, Jewish,30-44, Urban, Catholic, No college, College graduates, moderates and independents, men, single 3. Caucus vs, Primary a. A Primary is open to the people i. Blanket/Open/Closed ii. NH is first b. Caucus is a gathering of officials who choose i. Iowa is first caucus c. Criticisms of todays systems in place i. Disproportionate attneion goes to frontloaders ii. Time must be taken out of duties to run iii. Money is a big factor iv. Participation is low 1. 25% of turnout in primaries compared to 60% in natl elections v. Media has too much power 4. Primaries (reformations) a. Blanket/Closed/Open are in place today i. Criticisms 1. Disproportionate attention goes to frontloaders 2. The huge cost of having them all separately 3. Too long 4. Media influence b. Caucus/Party System i. Decreases party power ii. Does not represent all the voters iii. Elite control iv. Inaccurate v. Some states gain more attn. than others c. Reforms i. National Primary 1. Length of campaign shortented, votes wouldnt have more political impact than one another, increase of participation and understanding 2. Run-off between top 2 which is complicated, its a snapshot of time that can change, where as in todays system you have a 50 changes to build up momentum

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ii. Regional Primary 1. First region would have an advantage over the others 5. Retrospective voting a. A theory of voting in which voters ask, What have you done for me lately?. Those who feel better off are more likely to vote for a candidate pledging to support those policies in place, and vice versa 6. Critical Elections a. New Issues emerge, new coalitions replace old ones, majority party is often displaced by minority i. Sometimes marked by a national crisis, and may require more than one election to bring about a new party era b. New Deal, Civil War, 7. Initiative, referendum, recall a. Referendum i. A state-level method of direct legislation that gives voters a chance to approve of disapprove proposed legislation or a proposed constitutional amendment b. Initiative Petition i. A process permitted in some states whereby voters may put proposed changes in the state constitution to a vote if sufficient signatures are obtained on petitions calling for such a referendum c. Recall i. A procedure that allows voters to call a special election for a specific official in an attempt to throw him or her out of office before the end of a term. Recalls are only permitted in 17 states, seldom used because of their cost and disruptiveness, and rarely successful 8. National Party structure a. National party has little control over other state and local parties. It keeps the party going between elections b. There is party in the electorate, party in the organization, and party in the government 9. Tactics while campaigning a. Kissing babies, b. Smear campaigns i. Effectiveness of negative ads ii. Time spent in swing states iii. Gaining mo 10. A Clothespin Vote a. Voting for the lesser of the two evils, plugging your nose 11. Independent voters a. The young population. In 2008 37% of people were independentsthese are the people who decide elections b. Most likely to engage in ticket splittingvoting for one party for one office and another party for another office i. 2004 exit poll found that 25% of independents who voted for bush did not support a republican for the house c. Even when a party has an edge in one state for the national election, they can still lose in local elections for important offices i. No state is ever completely given up to a specific party

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d. In 2006 52% of people between 18 and 24 said they were politically independent and only 32% of over 65 did 12. How money in campaigns has changed 13. Realigning elections a. Nixon with Southern Strategy, FDR with New Deal, Abe Lincoln with anti-slavery and gold standard, 14. Campaign Finance Laws a. 527s i. Independent groups that seek to influence the political process but are not subject to contribution restrictions because they do not directly seek the election of particular candidates ii. Used by wealthy individuals after the McCain-Feingold act made soft money more difficult iii. As long as a political message didnt make specific endorsements vote for etc. iv. Spent over $424 mil in 2004 on political messaging b. Soft money i. Political contributions earmarked for poary-building expenses at the grassroots level or for generic party advertising. Unlike money that goes to the campaign of a particular candidate, such party donations are not subject to contribution limits. For a time they were unlimited, but were later banned by the McCain-Feingold act 1. AT&T gave over $3 mill alone in soft money and so did the Municipal Employees and American Federation of State County. c. Matching funds i. Coming from the Federal Elecion Campaign Fund, these funds can match donations of up to $250 to political candidates for presidential candidates in the primaries 1. Must raise $5000 in at least 20 states to be eligible 2. Subject to spending limits d. Full Financing for General Election Presidential Candidates i. In 2008 this was $85 million ii. Form of a grantmust more appeasing iii. From 19976-2004 everybody accepted this but in 2008 Obama turned it down and raised as much as he could in individual donations of $2300 or less 1. McCain opted for the $85 million e. Independent Expenditures 15. Buckley and McConnell a. Buckley vs. Valeo 1976 i. Challenged the Federal Elections Campaigns Act of 1974 ii. Struck down, as a violation of free speech, the portion of the act that had limited the amount individuals could contribute to their own campaigns 1. Made it possible for Romney to spend $44mill for the nomination in 2008, and for Ross Perot to spend $60 mill out of pocket for his campaign in 1992 iii. There were still limits on spending if there was acceptance of public money b. McConnell vs. Federal Election Commission i. Upheld constitutionality of the Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act of 2002 (BCRA/McCain Feingold Act) ii. Money is property, not speech. Still, not all political speech is protected by the First Amendment from government infringement. 16. BCRA or McCain-Feingold Act (Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act)

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a. Increased the individual contribution limit to campaigns (enforced by the FECA) from $1000 to $2000 as of 2004, and provided that it rise with inflation. (In 2008 was $2300) b. Banned soft money c. Prohibits any issue advocacy ads from being run 30 days of a primary, and 60 days before a general election i. Citizens United vs. FEC Overturns this ii. 17. 2004 National Convention a. See #15 in Political Parties 18. FECA 1971 a. First attempt to reform campaign finance b. Places ceiling on candidate to donate themselves c. Regulated the amount of advertising d. Created full disclosure 19. FECA (Federal Election Campaign Act) 1974 a. Common Cause and National Committee for an Effective Congress led this act that advocated: tightening requirements for contributions and limiting overall expenditures b. Created the Federal Election Commission i. Responsible for administering and enforcing campaign finance laws c. Created the Presidential Election Campaign Fund i. $3 check off box that 10% of taxpayers do d. Public financing for primaries from FECF i. With acceptance of federal support, they agree to limit their campaign expenditures ii. Contributions of up to $250 are matched e. Provided full financing for general election presidential nominees i. Eligible to receive a fixed amount of money ii. In 2008 this was $85 million f. Required full disclosure i. Who contributed, how was the $ spent g. Limited contributions i. Individuals could contribute $1000 h. ***CLASS NOTES* i. Created federal subsidies for presidential election for major parties ii. Nominating elections, and general elections iii. Created FEC iv. Placed limits on contribution 20. FECA 1976 a. If matching funds, then spending limits i. Bush 2000 does not take matching funds because he can raise more on his own 21. FECA 1979 a. Allowed state parties to provide soft money for party building i. Exempt from limits 22. Unintended consequences of finance reform a. Lengthened election season b. Moved to a candidate centered campaign c. Raised costs and costs of fundraising i. In Colorado it cost 3.2 mil to run d. State parties are out of the system

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23. FEC Vs. Wisconsin Right to Life a. You can allow ads to fun 30 days prior to an election 24. POSITIVES of campaign reform a. Full disclosure b. Campaigns are more open and honest 25. Elections 1964-now 26. PACs 27. Notes on Campaign Finance a. Many Issues and Dilemmas i. Are costs of campaigning too high? ii. What about the 1st amendment? iii. Impact of spending? iv. Are elections bought? b. 2008 presidential election i. Oct-Nov alone Obama raised $104 mill ii. All candidates in all races raised $750 mill iii. Money is the mothers milk of politics iv. Money is tax deductable v. Allows for the 2 party system 1. Either/or choiceb

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SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS

1. Independent expenditures a. A candidate can give as much as he wants to his own campaign 2. Definition of interest group a. An organization of people with shared policy foals entering the policy process at several points that tries to achieve these goals. Interest groups pursue their goals in many arenas i. Economic Interests (wages, prices, profits) 1. Labor a. Better working conditions, higher wages b. Union shop overruled by right to work laws c. Unions now only at 14% 2. Business a. Business interests are fragmented when policy choices have to be made b. They fight regulations that would reduce their profits and seek preferential tax treatment and government subsidies ii. Environmental Interests 1. Against strip mining, nuclear power, supersonic aircraft, etc. 2. Started on April 22, 1970 and by 1990 there were 10k+ groups with combined revenue at $2.9 Billion iii. Equality Interests 1. NOW with ERA Or NAACP (colored people) 2. Represents minorities and women iv. Consumers and Public Interests 1. Makes products saferConsumer Product Safrty Comission 2. Speaks for those who dont speak for themselves 3. PACs a. A means for Interests Group to participate in electioneering 4. PAC Reform 5. Interest groups Have most impact when a. They are SMALLER i. Olsens Law of Large Groups 1. The larger the group, the further it will fall short of providing an optimal amount of collective good

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ii. Ie: airlines gave back $10 milll.. but since the airline consumer group is so big, they only got 4 cents each. A smaller potential group would have received more collective good iii. Big groups have the free-rider problem too iv. Selective benefits can counter Olsens Law 6. Activities/functions of special interest groups a. FUNCTIONS listed in notes during class i. Campaigns, push agenda, research, provide information, they lobby all governmentbut people criticize that they buy government b. Lobbying i. communication, by someone other than a citizen acting on his or her own behalf, directed to a governmental decision maker with the hope of influencing his or her decision 1. There are regular paid employees of a corporation, and those available on hire for a temporary basis ii. Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995 1. Requires that lobbyists report how much they were paid by their clients for their lobbying servides 2. The Center for Responsive Politics categorizes lobbyists iii. Four ways in which lobbyists can help a member of Congress 1. Important sources of information with their specialized expertise 2. Help politicians with political strategy for getting legislation through 3. They can help formulate campaign strategy and get the groups members behind a politicians reelection campaign 4. They are a source of ideas and innovationsthey can give ideas and the political can take them for political credit iv. Can be done crudely or gracefully v. Skilled lobbyist is paid for knowing who to contact and with what information vi. Primarily ACTIVCATES and REINFORCES supportersmuch like campaigning c. Electioneering i. Aiding candidates financially and getting group members out to support them ii. Often thru PACs, which provide a means for groups to participate in electioneering 1. PACs gave $276 mill to House incumbents during 2006 and $36 mill to challengers a. Incumbents are an investment for the future since they are the most likely to win 2. PACs bandwagonlining up to fill out a questionnaire to receive money d. Litigation i. Go to the court if something fails in congress in hopes of a specific ruling ii. Allows ordinary citizens to sue for enforcement iii. Amicus Curiae Briefs 1. Friend of the court attempts to raise additional points of view and present information not contained in the briefs of the formal parties. Attempts to influence a courts decision iv. Class action law suits 1. Enable group of people to come together to sue on behalf of all other people similarly situated e. Going public

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i. Public opinion ultimately makes its way to policymakers, so interest groups cultivate their public image and use it when they can 1. Ie: farmers arent giant plantation owners, they present themselves as family farmers working for a living to appeal to the public 7. Iron triangle a. A mutually dependent relationship between bureaucratic agencies, interest groups, and congressional committee. They dominate some areas of domestic policymaking. Otherwise known as subgovernments b. Promotes interest group liberalism c. Seek to protect their own self-interest d. Cozy relations between interest groups and policymakers and the like 8. As Compared to parties a. Parties have a broad focus (policy generalists) , and interest groups are policy specialists b. Parties fight their battles through the electoral process by running candidates for public office, and interest groups do not run their own candidatesthey only support certain slates of candidates c. 9. PAC reform 10. Types of