PS 1100

Political Science 1100, Introduction to American Politics, February 25, 2015

Current Events

Political Parties

Party identification by ideology, gender, and the urban / rural divide
is much more divided now than they were 50 years ago

4.Why are the Parties so Polarized Now?

Political Polarization:
the separation of Democrats and Republicans in political attitudes and behavior

coalitions have driven the parties apart

Realignment of American Parties since the 1980s

The conservative South has transformed from a strong Democratic region to a strong Republican region
– making the Republican Party more conservative & less moderate

Liberal areas of New England. the West and inner suburbs (like St. Louis County) have left the Republican Party
- making the Democratic Party more liberal and less moderate

The Tea Party: an even more conservative faction, has made the Republican party more conservative

it favors lower taxes, less government spending, balanced budgets, and less government regulation

Americans and political parties are very polarized today

Party in the electorate

Party in government

If you are an elected official and you are too moderate, you may be "primaried," especially in the Republican Party, and you could lose because voters in primary elections are more ideological than voters in the general election.

5. WHO CARES about the political parties?

To Become President, Or Governor, Or A Legislator,

You Still Have To Win Elections

-- But Without Strong Parties To Help,

Your Tactics For Winning Have To Include

1). The "Candidate-Centered" Campaign

You Have To Rely On Yourself To Win Elections

2). If You Go It Alone And Rely On Yourself,

You Have To Advertise Yourself To Potential Voters

Because American voters are so divided by geography and ideology,
to win a nomination in the primary in your state or Congressional district
–you have to win the votes of a lot of conservative Republicans or liberal Democrats

3) You have to run your own campaign with consultants, and find a lot of donors

4) And many donors will only give you big money if you are very ideological and very partisan – like they are

5) And if you are rewarded for being very ideological and partisan, you may be punished if you compromise

Presidential Elections

1. WINNING THE PRESIDENCY

You have to win two games: the nomination, and the general election

These games have two different sets of rules

A. To Win The Nomination,
    You Have To Win A Majority of The Delegates
    To The Party's Nomination Convention
    in the Summer before the general election

To Win delegates, you have to do very well in the
Primaries and Caucuses

Turnout In the Primaries Is Low

- about 20% of voters

Turnout In Caucuses (like Iowa) is even lower.

Consequence: In Order To Win The Nomination, You Have To Win The Support Of Those Who Show Up in primaries and caucuses

These people tend To Be More Active In Their Party &
These tend to be people with very strong views - these tend to be "wingers" - that is, the more conservative Republicans, and the more liberal Democrats

Keys To Winning The Nomination:

- Organization,

Money

and "Momentum"

- Win Early And Often To Drive Out The Opposition

Key contests: Iowa, the first caucus

New Hampshire, the first primary

The 2012 Nomination