The History of Political Parties

1. The History of Political Parties Why is Sacramento so polarized? How does this affect SEIU 1000?

2. HISTORICAL OVERVIEWOF AMERICAN POLITICS Presidential Elections and the Realignment of American Politics Americans adjust their political mood through presidential elections

3. HAVES Eastern WASP Establishment (liberal) Midwestern Main Street Establishment (conservative) HAVE-NOTS Northern white liberals Southerners (conservative) Farmers (conservative) Minorities (liberal) 1932-1964AGE OF CLASS POLITICSBoth parties ideologically balanced

4. 1964-1988THE CONSERVATIVE REALIGNMENT Liberal vs. Conservative; Class politics ebbs Southern, white, agrarian, conservative Democrats abandon their party for Republicans. The monolithic Democrat South fractures. Northern, white, moderate/liberals leave the Republican Party. The “Rockefeller Wing” of the GOP atrophies. Both shifts occur at the presidential level but take another generation to take effect at the local level.

5. ERA OF CONSERVATIVE IDEOLOGICAL POLITICS

6. 1980 THE TRIUMPH OF IDEOLOGICAL REALIGNMENT Ronald Reagan unites the three wings of the Republican Party

7. 1992AFTER THE FALL OF COMMUNISM The Three wings of the Republican Party were no longer unified by Anti-Communism. The economic and religious wings were left to wonder what they had in common. The GOP was pulled to the right by Pat Buchanan and Christian Conservatives. Clinton runs and wins election as a “New” Democrat.

8. 1994-2000THE BATTLE FOR THE CENTER Socially tolerant, small government voters define elections 1994: Republicans won by a landslide when the issues were government run healthcare, midnight basketball and Clinton’s budget (higher taxes). Voters don’t want bigger government, especially when their pocketbooks take a hit. 1996: Clinton shifts to middle by making the issues the balanced budget, Medicare, and welfare reform. Republicans shut down government and move to the right. 1998: GOP failed to gain seats in an off-year election when the Democrats controlled the Presidency due to the moralizing over Monica Lewinsky. 2000: Both sides target middle and attempt to push opposition to the ideological extremes. Closest election in 100 years.

9. 2004-2008THE BATTLE FOR THE CENTER CONTINUES 2004: Bush wins 255 Congressional Districts and 62 million votes were the most individual votes ever cast for anyone in history and the first president to receive a majority since George H. W. Bush in 1988. 2006: GOP loses control or the House of Representatives and the US Senate. Congressional corruption and government spending were the biggest reasons cited by voters who voted GOP in 2006 but switched to Democrat in 2008. 2008: Republicans lose 3 congressional seats in “safe” Republican seats that President Bush carried by double digits. All three Republican candidates had more than enough resources to mount successful campaigns. 2008: Barack Obama elected president by capturing center. Democrats expand congressional and legislative majorities.

10. California’s Growing Decline-To-State Voters Voter Registration Trends 1992-Present 2008

11. When you advocate in Sacramento it might be necessary to have two different messages • One message for Republicans • A different one for Democrats

12. Groups that Republicans act favorably to: • Business groups • Taxpayer organizations • Church leadership • Public safety leaders • Parental rights groups • Families with children • Families Values Groups • Tribal Interests • Litigation Reform Groups • Political Contributors • Groups Democrats act favorably to: • Labor Unions • Trial Lawyers • Anti-Poverty Groups • Environmental Organizations • Woman’s Rights Groups • Gay Rights Organizations • Tribal Interests • Political Contributors

13. Effective Lobbying Engages the Senses • Vision 75% • Hearing 13% • Touch < 5% • Taste < 5% • Smell < 5% The best advocacy is in-person with an easy to understand visual presentation by a friend. The most effective lobbying entails requires a follow-up.

14. What are the challenges and opportunities the State/legislature is facing in the next few years? Challenges  (Have we reached a Tipping Point) • Protecting California's Future  • (Are we special enough not to become another Detroit) • Fundamental Restructuring/Reform  • (If they continue to fail to act) • Reforming the Service Delivery System • Reforming the Tax Code • Dealing with an Increasingly Diverse Population • Opportunities • Unlimited

15. Is Local 1000 relevant in this setting? Only if it chooses to be. 

16. What will Local 1000 need to do differently as a result of these challenges and opportunities? 1.  Recognize that the old rules no longer apply. 2.  Become a part of the change rather than trying to deny historical trends. 3.  Understand that it will take creative thinking and much angst as the system evolves and the organization reacts to it. 4.  Set member expectations where they need to be.

17. What will Local 1000 need to do differently to maximize its effectiveness in order to respond to the challenges? • Continue to establish a reputation for thinking • outside the box • Continue to outreach to both sides of the isle • Ensure that no one person/political party/organization • Takes you for granted •   Writes you off • Remember the words of Dr. Emmitt Brown

18. Jim Brulte, Partner California Strategies 10681 Foothill Blvd. Suite 340 Rancho Cucamonga, CA 91730 (909) 945-2250 (O) (909) 945-2966 (F) (916) 919-3097 (C) (909) 922-5039 (H) SenatorJim31@aol.com