Political Parties

1. Political Parties

2. A B C RAP 31 Hillary Clinton-Democrat John McCain-Republican Barack Obama-Democrat D Sarah Palin-Republican E Joe Biden-Democrat Who are these people and what political party are they in?

3. Fill in the position they ran for and their political party • Sarah Palin ran for ___________________ and is a ___________________________ • Hillary Clinton ran for ___________________ and is a ___________________________ • Joe Biden ran for ___________________ and is a ___________________________ • Barack Obama ran for ___________________ and is a ___________________________ • John McCain ran for ___________________ and is a ___________________________

4. Political parties have existed since the first decade of the new American government’s existence. Americans have always had mixed feelings about them. • Parties are necessary, and they perform necessary functions. But they have always been complicated. • Parties often mirror American society and are deeply rooted in the democratic process.

5. Political Party: organized group of elected officials & supporters w/a platform, policies and candidates. • Parties have committees to organize on precinct, county, state and the highest levels (National Committee) • Parties Nominate Candidates, raise $$, write platforms. • Primary purpose of the party = get their candidates into elected office to shape the government according to their agenda. • The party platform is what the party stands for and the issues on its agenda

6. What Parties Do for Democracy • Party Functions • Organize the Competition • Unify the Electorate • Inspire and Inform Voters • Translate Preferences into Policy • Provide Loyal Opposition • Organize Government • Help Govern • Act as Watchdogs • Nominate Candidates • Ensure Candidate Quality

7. Partisanship • Bi-Partisan: when two parties work together (Ex= recent economic bailout plan in Congress has Republican and Democratic supporters) • Non-Partisan: does not have affiliation with a particular party. (Ex= the school board is a nonpartisan group, they are not tied to either party.)

8. PARTISAN VS. • BI-PARTISAN

9. Party Systems • One-party: single dominant party • Two-Party: America has this system where power shifts between 2 parties. • ** Sometimes there can be 3rd party which is doesn’t have power but can change election outcomes. • Multi-party: 3 or more parties, must form coalitions

10. America’s 2 party system • The two major political parties in the US are the: • Republicans (Conservatives) • Democrats (Liberals) • You can register to vote as a Republican, a Democrat, or an Independent (you don’t belong to either party).

11. POLITICAL Spectrum: A political spectrum is a way of comparing or visualizing different political positions, by placing them upon one of more geometric axes. • Reactionary: Doesn’t support any change • Conservative: little change, individual freedom, small gov’t • Moderate: some reform • Liberal: Reforms, gov’t involvement to solve social problems. • Radical: Revolution, wants extreme change. Right Middle Left

13. Project! • We are going to start a new project. You will be divided into teams of 3-4 people. You will be creating your own political parties with your groups.

14. First: Each group will need to research what political parties are. You will see that political parties take a stance on certain issues (healthcare, education, national security, immigration, etc.) • Each person in the group will fill out their graphic organizers comparing how each of the major political parties feels on certain issues.

15. Second: Each person will reflect on which party the feel most represents their views on how America should believe. • Write a paragraph on which party you feel most represents your views. Tell me which issues (at least 3) you feel the party has a good stance on. If there was anything you would change about this party what would it be?

16. Third: You with your group are going to decide where you political party will be on the political spectrum. Decide the colors you would like to have for your political party and the animal you would like to represent your party.

17. Website • You will be creating a website for your party. • Your website should include: • A history of your party (how it was formed) • Your mission statement • Your party’s stance on the issues (at least 8 issues; 3 of which should be the most important to your party) • Your party’s candidate for president and vice president and a short biography on each. • What celebrities would endorse (support) the party and why • A news article about your party • A calendar of upcoming events (elections, campaign, fundraisers, etc.) • Advertisement (either a commercial or a picture)

18. Sit in your Groups: 3rd Block • Destiney, Jabari, Jordan, Martre • DeeJ, Shelton, JaQuan • Shaunice, CJ, Davon, Briana • JaVonte, Ryckeita, Jasmine, Fitzgerra

19. Groups 4th-Block • 1. Margaret, Kayla, Erica, Tyreek • 2. Kivata, Brianna, Laquil, Christian • 3. Yasmine, Mollie, Terry, Bria • 4. Keion, Diedre, Jonathan, Jasmine • 5. Diyosha, Shaquoria, Lai, Diamond • 6. Kelsey, Keirra, Tamiya, Tyshon

20. Each group needs to have… • Party Leader (keeps order in the group. Makes sure everyone is doing their job, and is the person who speaks in public for the group) • Presidential Candidate (makes final decisions on issues with the Vice President) • Vice Presidential Candidate (makes final decisions on issues with the President) • Campaign Manager (makes final decisions on website)