Parties and Campaigns in the States

Party

An organization that seeks to achieve power by winning public office in elections

Interest Group

Supports candidates but does NOT run them

Responsible-Party Model

Each party offers clear policy alternatives and holds their elected officials responsible for enacting these policies in office

• Not effective in the US because American political parties have no way to bind their elected officials to party positions or even to their campaign pledges

Candidate-Centered Model

Individual candidates raise funds, create personal organizations, and rely on professional consultants to direct their independent campaigns with influence from mass media.

• More relevant to modern politics!! ; The introduction of primary elections

• Decline in party identification, increase in split-ticket voting

• Decline in political patronage

Political patronage

Giving government jobs or benefits to people as a reward for political support

• Declined with the rise of the Candidate-Centered Model

Split-ticket voting

When a voter chooses candidates from different political parties.

The Downs Model

Anthony Downs's model explains how voters and political parties behave.

1. Rational-choice theory

2. Median voter theory

3. Parties seek voter loyalty (act as businesses)

Rational-choice theory

People vote logically, choosing what benefits them most

The Downs Model Date

1957

Median Voter Theory

Most people are more in the middle, not extreme left or right

Parties seek voter loyalty

Parties want to win → they adjust positions to attract voters; appeal to moderate voters, act as businesses

Current remaining party functions

• They organize elections

• Narrow the choices of political office seekers confronting the voters

• Play an important role in voter choice

• They perform the central task of organizing state legislatures (big effect on lawmaking)

Filing

Candidates officially sign up to run (submit paperwork, fees)

Endorsements

Support from party leaders, groups, or influencers (boosts credibility)

Plurality winner

A candidate gets the most votes, but not necessarily >50%

• Results in a runoff election

Conventions

Party meetings to select candidates or set platforms

• Not permanent or year-round, like committees are

Presidential Primaries and Caucuses

State-by-state contests to pick party nominee for president

Significance of introduction of primary elections…

• Shifted power from party bosses (who used to pick candidates) to voters

• Democratized the nomination process

State Party Organizations

The official party structure within a state (Democratic or Republican)

State Laws Govern Parties

States set rules for primaries, ballots, and party operations

State Committees

Core leadership group that runs party strategy statewide

State Party Chairpersons

Leader of the state party (manages campaigns, fundraising, strategy)

County Committees

Party groups at the county level (organize local campaigns)

Local Party Organizations

Grassroots level (volunteers, activists, voter outreach)

Grassroots Campaign

• A campaign strategy that focuses on direct, person-to-person voter contact at the local level

• Only feasible for local elections with small populations

Negative Campaigning

A political strategy focusing on criticizing opponents' records, character, or policies, to reduce an opponent’s support

When is negative campaigning successful??

When:

• Attacks are credible

• Voters already uncertain

• Media amplifies message

National Committees

Permanent, year-round

Examples: DNC/DRC

• Their PRIMARY responsibility is to: keep the party going in between elections

• Organize national conventions, Support presidential candidates, Fundraising/Strategy

Divided Government

Different parties control different branches -> Power is split between parties

Doctrine of sufficiency

No need to outspend opponent to win

The Power Structure of American Political Parties is:

Decentralized

Power is spread across:

• National level

• State level

• Local level

No single leader controls everything

How is the speaker of the house chosen?

The speaker is elected by the House members.

Each party picks a candidate

Political action committees (PACs)

Groups that raise/spend money directly on candidates

Super PACs

Unlimited spending (no coordination) HOWEVER cannot coordinate with candidates

Disclosure laws

PACs must reveal donations/spending, ensures transparency

Public financing

Government provides campaign funds

Incumbent Advantage

The benefits that current officeholders (incumbents) have when running for reelection.

• Name recognition

• Track record (Past achievements)

• Easier fundraising (Donors prefer “safe bets”)

• More media coverage

• Loyal Voters

• Gerrymandering (Districts may be drawn to favor them)

• Experience

Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission Significance

Court ruled that corporations and unions can spend unlimited money on political campaigns (as long as it is independent, not coordinated with candidates)

• Basically led to the creation of super PACs

Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission Date

2010