AP Gov A with Dr. Christensen (Retired in 2014): 2012-10-07

Thursday, October 11, 2012

3. Why does the U.S. have a two-party system whereas the U.K. has a multi-party system?

4. What role do third parties play in American government?

Single-member districts creates a winner-take-all system
The United Kingdom uses proportional representation with parliament (its legislative body)
Ballot access varies by state
Redistricting by state political parties (gerrymandering) in many states creates safe seats
Incumbency advantage (i.e. name recognition, fundraising, experience) prevents serious challengers

48 states in the Electoral College use a winner-take-all system
Two states in the Electoral College use a proportional representation system
Ballot access varies by state
Soaring cost of presidential campaigns

2. What is the purpose of political parties within Congress and the Presidency?

We will use this case study to answer EQ #1
Create a chart in your notes that summarizes the leadership structure of Congress in 2011

Who controlled the House, Senate, and White House? What are their titles?
So... was there divided government in 2011?
Wait... Why did Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell still have any influence if his party was not the majority party?

August 2011: What was the final compromise for the debt ceiling stand-off? Who won the public opinion battle? Why?
November 2011: What did the Supercommittee announce in November 2011?
December 2011: What battle occurred in December 2011?
June 2012: Should voters blame Congress or themselves?
January 2013: What is the upcoming fiscal cliff?

1. What is the purpose of political parties in elections for Congress and the Presidency?

Use primaries to nominate a candidate for Congress (i.e. Four 2012 North Carolina Primary Ballots and 2012 North Carolina Primary Results)
Use primaries and caucuses to nominate a candidate for President (i.e. 2012 Republican Delegate Tracker and 2012 Republican Convention Roll Call)
FYI: State parties prefer a closed primary, California recently adopted an open primary
FYI: Iowa is famous for its first-in-the-nation Iowa Caucuses; Barack Obama used them to gain momentum against Hillary Clinton in 2008

Build a big tent with different demographic groups (i.e. Democrats and Republicans)
Host national party conventions with primetime speeches
Approve vague policy platforms (i.e. 2012 Republican Platform and 2012 Democratic Platform)

Party campaign committees (i.e. RNC, NRSC, NRCC, DNC, DSCC, DCCC)?
State parties and local parties help with voter registration, phone-banking, and Get-Out-the-Vote