POLS 206 Lecture 12 Outline of Previous Lecture o 8 2 Party in the Electorate o 8 3 Party Organization Local Parties 50 State Party System National Party Organization o 8 4 Party in Government o 8 5 Party Eras in American History Outline of Current Lecture o 8 6 Third Parties o 8 7 American Politics and the Scope of Government Democracy and Responsible Part of Government Ch 9 Campaigns and Voting Behavior o 9 1 Competing for Delegates Lecture o Republicans did not have Congress New pattern Divided government now normal Dealignment movement away from both parties rise of independent voter Ticket splitting voting both Democrat and Republican on the same ticket Big characteristic is DIVIDED GOVERNMENT president one party and one house of congress is another Two Options Bi Partisan Policy good Gridlock bad 8 6 Third Parties Their Impact on American Politics Three types of third parties Cause parties Start off as a movement cause and then become a party ex Green Party and Free Soil Party 8 7 American Politics and the Scope of Government Not as broad as in Europe Health care example Parties not disciplined Hard to cut spending Not disciplined enough to say no Get more for own constituents Democracy and Responsible Part Government How Should we Govern Responsible party model Distinct governing programs Internal cohesion and commitment say what you do and do what you say Major party must implement program Major party must accept responsibility Party leadership weak in US Blue Dog Democrats Is this good or bad Ch 9 Campaigns and Voting Behavior o 9 1 Competing for Delegates National Party Convention State delegates meet and vote on nominee Nomination process more democratic today McGovern Fraser Commission Superdelegates Democrat side only Caucuses and Primaries Iowa caucus Can generate momentum which gives media attention and money test question New Hampshire primary The things gained in the Iowa caucus are taken here and can help win Proportional versus winner take all primaries o Offshoots of major parties Ex Bull Moose and Progressives offshoots of Republicans Ex Dixiecrats offshoot of Democrats Vehicles for individual candidacies Ex Reform Party Rarely win office but can affect elections Electoral System You don t need a majority to win office just more votes than anyone else and its winner take all It is very difficult to beat both parties sometimes they can beat one but not both Why only two parties
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