Chapter 4 Political Parties in TexasChapters 3, 4, 11 ReviewChapter 4 Political Parties inTexasA political party is a group of people who share a common body of principles or goals and who attempt to control government by gaining and controlling public offices. A political party differs from an interest group in that it is usually larger, it addresses a broader array of issues, and it nominates and formally runs candidates for office.The two major parties in Texas politics, the Democrats and Republicans, have more in commonthan you might think. In fact, the main goal of each of these organizations is the same thing: Winelections. You can’t govern if you can’t win. In order to win, you have to put together a coalition of voters large enough to give you at least a plurality of the vote. That does not mean that you must like, or even always agree with, your fellow party members. It simply means that your disdain for your allies must be less than your distaste for the other party.The basic structure of the two major political parties in the United States (and in Texas as well) can best be described as coalitional. This means that each party comprises a number of different subgroups that band together for the purpose of winning elections. The two major political parties are organized along similar lines. The Libertarian and Green parties don’t hold primaries, but still hold state conventions.At the state convention, each party selects a chair for the convention, writes a platform for the state party, selects the State Republican Executive Committee and the State Democratic Executive Committee, respectively, and selects a state chair to lead the party over the ensuing two years.The party platform is a statement explaining where the parties stand on a variety of issues. The State Republican Executive Committee and State Democratic Executive Committee are selected at their respective state conventions. Each committee comprises 31 men and 31 women , each selected in their senate district caucus at the state convention.The most important action at a county or state senatorial district convention is the selection of delegates to the state convention, since that ultimately determines the party platform, chair, and executive committee. The base of the Texas political system is the precinct conventionThe precinct convention elects a chair, writes a platform, and selects delegates to the county or senate district convention. Attendance at these conventions is usually small.What is the main goal of both the Republican Party and the Democratic Party in Texas?- to win electionsFor more than a century, Texas was dominated by the __________.- DemocratsWhich of the following statements is true of political parties and interest groups?- Interest groups are usually smaller than political parties.When a party comprises a number of different subgroups that band together for the main purposeof winning elections, the party is considered to have a(n) __________ structure.- coalitionalA party that has a(n) __________ structure is one that is united by a single principle or a narrowly defined set of principles to which all members are expected to adhere.- ideologicalWhich of the following is currently the most prominent ideological political party in Texas?- Libertarian PartyThe statement of principles passed by a political party's convention is known as a __________.- platformThe easiest way for most people to get involved within a political party is by __________.- attending a precinct conventionWhich of the following represents the order in which conventions are held in Texas?- precinct, county or senatorial district, stateDivisions within a political party are known as __________.- factionsThe 105 years of Democratic control of the governor's office in Texas ended with the __________.- victory of Bill Clements in 1978What challenge do Texas Democrats currently face?- They must reassert themselves in the Texas political arena, where Republicans control a majority in both the house and senate.After Reconstruction, the Republican Party in Texas survived primarily because of support from radicals and __________.- African Americans__________ is considered the father of the modern Republican Party in Texas because his victory in the 1961 senate race laid the foundation for the growth of the Republican Party.- John TowerWho was the first Republican governor of Texas since Reconstruction?- Bill ClementsWhich of the following groups in Texas is more likely to vote Republican than Democrat?- business ownersThe Tea Party is a(n) __________.- political movement within the Republican PartyIf the Democratic Party wants to win in Texas now, which of the following should it do?- appeal to suburban white voters on issues like educationAfter the 2012 election, Democrats controlled the U.S. Senate, and Republicans controlled the U.S. House of Representatives. What did this mean from a power perspective?- Every chair of every Senate committee was a Democrat, and every chair of every House committee was a Republican.Which of the following is true of bipartisanship in Texas politics?- Republican leaders have appointed a number of Democratic committee chairs.A bill is required to have __________ to be brought to the floor of the Texas senate.- a three-fifths voteCH:4 TESTHow do interest groups and political parties differ?- Political parties nominate and formally run candidates for public office, while interest groups do not.How are ideological parties different from coalitional parties?- An ideological party's main goal is fidelity to principle, while a coalitional party's main goal is winning elections.Which statement comparing and contrasting the structures of the Democratic and Republican parties in Texas is accurate?- Both parties have similar internal structures that include conventions and elected offices.Jeff is completing his Master's degree in political science in Texas. He wants to become actively engaged in politics as soon as he graduates. Which of the following is the easiest way for Jeff to get involved in the political party of his choice?- attend a precinct conventionWhich of the following statements accurately differentiates between county conventions and district conventions in Texas?- County conventions are held by rural counties; district conventions are held by urban counties.There was still political competition in Texas after Reconstruction because __________.- Democrats fought other Democrats
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