Structure, Conventions, and the Two Party System

Linkage Institutions #2

Differences In Party Structure

Republican• 1960s-70s: More

bureaucratic structure. • 1980s: First to used

computerized mailing lists to raise money

• Created a national firm of political consultants.

Democrats• 1960s-70s: More

factionalized structure and redistribution of power

• Lost 5 out of 6 Presidential Elections.

• 1990s: Adopted RNC strategy

The National ConventionThe National Committee sets time and place; issues a “call” setting the number of each delegates for each states and rules for their selections

Democrats• Formula for Delegates: Shifted to Northern and Western States• As a result, delegates are more liberal than most Democrats• Formula for Delegates also rewards larger states.• 1970s: Rules changed to weaken local party leaders and include more diversity.• 1981: Creation of “Superdelegates.” Elected officials (all levels) who are democrats get one vote.

Democrats• 1992: Three New Rules• Winner-Reward System Banned:

Winner of each state did not receive extra delegates

• States that violate rules were penalized with loss of delegates (2008: Michigan and Florida)

• Proportional Representation: Delegates by state were not all given to the winner but split based on proportion of vote (2008: Long Primary)

Republicans• Formula for Delegates: Shifted to South and Southwester states• As a result, delegates are more conservative than most Republicans• Formula for Delegates also rewards loyal states (Presidential Votes)• 2012: States now allowed (if they choose) to engage in Proportional Representation. (2008 vs. 2012)

Nominating the President (Primary Elections)

Primary elections are elections held within the political party to select who will be that parties official candidate.

Types of Primaries• Primary Elections• Closed primaries: Voters must be registered with their party

in advance and can only vote for that party• Open primaries: Voters decide on election day which party to

participate in, and then only that party• Blanket primaries: Voters get a list of all candidates and can

vote for one name for each office, regardless of party label• Nominating Caucuses

• Meeting of party followers at which delegates are picked. Takes up much more time so only the most dedicated party members show up. Produces the most ideological candidate in each party.

Primary Elections

• Primary elections were adopted to give the individual members of the party a greater say in their candidate.

• The nature of primary elections changes the strategy of the candidates.• Voters are different (More activist and ideological)• Media attention is less

• Must mobilize activists to give money and volunteer

Primary Elections

Radical Liberal Moderate Conservative Reactionary

The Delegates

• Selected on basis on Primary Elections (Candidates pick them based on loyalty and other factors)

• Delegates Today tend to be issue-oriented activists (high education and income, not the same as typical voter)

• Advantages• Increased Opportunity for Activists to participate• Decreased Probability they flee the party

• Disadvantage• These delegates may nominate a candidate unacceptable to

majority of voters, or even rank and file members of the party.

Party Make-Up

Democrats• African-Americans,

Immigrants, Jews, Catholics, Union Members (1932)

• Women (Late 1970s)• Recent Changes

– Catholics are less reliable Democratic voters due to social issues becoming large deciding factors

– Union members are less reliable due to decrease in number of them.

Republicans• Upper-Income “Business

Men” (1896)• Protestant Fundamentalist• Social Conservatives (1980s)

– Previously a non-existent group that was organized by the Christian Coalition in the 1980s. Strong supporters of the Republican Party

The Two Party System

• Although we have multiple parties, we still are a two party system because only the two major parties have realistic chances of winning elections on a national level

• Parties are balanced nationally but not locally• Why?– Electoral System: Winner-Take All and Plurality System– State Laws make it hard to get on ballots– Opinions of Voters

Role of Minor Parties

• Most Minor Parties are ideological parties that are not interested in immediate electoral success.

• Third Party Successes (Carrying States)– Economic Protest– Factional Parties

• Tea Party? At this point a social movement who holds influence in the Republican Party.

Impact of Minor Parties

• Contribute New Ideas to System• Voice for the Fringe• Enhanced Participation• Protest Vote• Pushes Major Parties to go after

underrepresented voters