 |
American Government 4/e Thomas E. Patterson | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Online Learning Center |
 |
|||||
|
American Government 4/e Thomas E. Patterson | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Online Learning Center |
|
|||||
CHAPTER OUTLINE
Introduction
1998 New York Democratic primary for U.S. Senate—extreme candidate-centered politics
Party-centered politics predominate in Europe
U.S. party organizations among the weakest in the world
The chapter’s main points:
Partys organizations’ controls have declined appreciably
U.S. parties are decentralized and fragmented
Party organizations have made "comeback" (money and media demands)
Candidate-centered campaigns are based on media and consultants
Candidates’ campaign freedom weakens voting impact upon national policy
The Weakening of Party Control
Fundamental purpose of parties is to contest elections
Today, "it is a politics of every candidate for himself"
Control of Nominations (Selection of individual who will run as party’s candidate)
Parties once controlled nominations
Then, loyalty to party organization was paramount (urban machines)
Progressives argued for party democracy
Primary elections place nomination decisions in hands of voters
Primaries are "severest impediment" to party strength
Some forty states use primaries to select "presidential" delegates
Different forms: open, closed, and "blanket"
Absence of primaries in Europe has kept parties strong
Epstein: primaries may have prolonged life of two parties
Control of Election Workers
Workers less important today
Party workers attracted by patronage; today also volunteers
Control of Party Platforms—Today tailored to policy positions of nominee
Candidates for Congress ignore platform
In Europe, party’s candidates must campaign on national platform
The Structure and Role of Party Organizations
Introduction
U.S. parties—loose associations of national, state, and local organizations
European parties tend to be hierarchical
U.S. parties—not hierarchical due to federalism, tradition of local autonomy
Local Party Organizations
About 95 percent of party activists work at local level
Local parties: strongest in urban areas, Northeast, Midwest
Big-city political machines were a form of local party organization
Today, local party organizations most active during elections
State Party Organizations
State central committees; chairperson (administrator, leadership role)
State parties have expanded budgets/staffs in recent years
Concentration on races for governor, U.S. Senate, state legislature
National Party Organizations
National committees (DNC, RNC) have only limited power
DNC and RNC raise and distribute campaign funds
House and Senate campaign committees raise more money
The Candidate-Centered Campaign
Running for Office
Seeking Funds: "The Money Chase"
High campaign costs force candidates to spend much time raising money
Creating Organization: "Hired Guns"
"New politics" centered on consultants, pollsters, fundraisers, etc.
Devising Strategy: "Packaging the Candidate"
Today, candidates’ media images are crucial
Going Public: "Air Wars" and "Spin"
Candidates use TV ads and appearances and seek to put favorable "spin" on news coverage
Using the Party: The "Service Role"
Parties provide candidates research, advice, funds
Parties funnel "soft money" to candidates
National/state parties have a service relationship
Parties, Candidates, and the Public’s Influence
Introduction: European parties are cohesive and disciplined, U.S. parties are not
Candidate-centered campaigns
Provide flexibility and new blood to electoral politics
Encourage national officeholders to be responsive to local interests
Prominent influence of special interests and stress on campaign funding
Can degenerate into personality contests and "attack politics" (Robb-North)
Blur the connection between campaigning and governing
MHHE Home | About MHHE | Help Desk | Legal Policies and Info | Order Info | What's New | Get Involved
