Political Parties

I. Intro

III. Voter Groups• Take survey

IV. Political Parties (In General)

• Democrats vs. Republicans

V. Conc.

How did you vote (in the election of 2008)?

I did not vote 57.7%

I voted for McCain 15.4%

I voted for Obama 23.1%

I voted for a different candidate 0%

Source: 6/10 Student Survey at WSCC

What is your political party?

Strong Democrat 7.7%

Weak Democrat 26.9%

Strong Republican 11.5%

Weak Republican 11.5%

Other (Including Independent) 34.6%

Source: 6/10 Student Survey at WSCC

Political Parties

• Issues divide the parties, so take this survey as an activity to begin thinking about your views on the issues.

Voter Groups

Group A• Union Democrats- blue collar

workers and union members. 2008 Election voted strongly for Obama; Celebrity Examples…

Dan Connor

Homer Simpson

“King of Queens”

Voter GroupsGroup B

• Moderate Republicans, but concerned about Religious organizations. They tend to be wealthy and want “smaller” government. Voted strongly for Bush in 2000 & 2004; supported McCain in 2008. Celebrity Examples…

Thurston Howell III

Carlton BanksThe Cohens

Voter GroupsGroup C

• New Deal Democrats; similar to moderate Democrats; support New Deal and an active government; tend to be older and female; 2008 supported Obama; Celebrity examples… Ray’s Mother

Miley’s Grandma

Voter GroupsGroup D

• Liberal Activists, loyal Democrats who may alienate moderate Democrats with liberal views on social issues; 2008 Election voted strongly for Obama; Celebrity Examples…

Dharma

Marshall

West Wing

Voter Groups

Group E• Conservative Activists,

loyal Republicans who may alienate moderate Republicans with conservative views on social issues. 2008 Election voted strongly for McCain; Celebrity examples…

Bree Van De Kamp

Rush Limbaugh

Gibbs

Voter Groups

Group F• Traditional (often moderate)

Democrats. Most are from low-income, blue-collar families; include many racial/ethnic minorities. 2008 Election, voted strongly for Obama

Married…With Children

Good Times

Voter GroupsGroups G

• Agnostics, emerged in 1990s as many voted for Clinton; split in 2008, but leaned toward Obama; many are baby-boomers. Celebrity Example…

Fraser CraneTwo and a Half Men

Jeff & Chuck

Political Parties

Democratic Party WebsiteRepublican Party Website

(Images taken 7/1/10)

Issue Liberal Democrat

Conservative Republican

Who? Dean, Pelosi, Obama, Clinton

Reagan, W. Bush, Huckabee, McCain???

Role of Government

ACTIVIST: Government should help people; National Health Care, Welfare (WIC), food stamps, Head Start; expand financial aid; min wage ↑

SMALL GOVERNMENT: Get the government off the people’s back (taxes); Health care too costly, people should rely on themselves; min wage -↓

Abortion In most (or all) cases it should be a legal option

In most (or all) cases it should be illegal

Issue Liberal Democrat

Conservative Republican

Gay Rights Support equal treatment for homosexuals; end “don’t ask don’t tell;” states decide gay marriage

Support traditional family values; no gay marriage

Military Want strong defense: increase spending (yes on SDI). More likely to have supported Iraq War

Gun Control

Strategic Defense Initiative(SDI)

• SDI = “Star Wars”• Create a missile defense

shield to protect the US from nuclear attack

Reagan describes the program in 1980s

Issue Liberal Democrat

Conservative Republican

Gay Rights Support equal treatment for homosexuals; end “don’t ask don’t tell;” states decide gay marriage

Support traditional family values; no gay marriage

Military Want strong defense: lower spending (no SDI). Less likely to support Iraq War

Want strong defense: increase spending (yes on SDI). More likely to have supported Iraq War

Gun Control

Issue Liberal Democrat

Conservative Republican

Gay Rights Support equal treatment for homosexuals; end “don’t ask don’t tell;” states decide gay marriage

Support traditional family values; no gay marriage

Military Want strong defense but: lower spending (no SDI). Less likely to support Iraq War

Want strong defense: increase spending (yes on SDI). More likely to have supported Iraq War

Gun Control Support regulations on gun ownership

Resist regulations on gun ownership

Issue Liberal Democrat Conservative Republican

Solution for the problem of crime

Stress prevention (no mandatory minimums); eliminate the factors (like poverty/drug addiction) that influence people to become criminals

Set tougher punishments (mandatory minimums); long sentences are a deterrent; more likely to support death penalty

Civil Rights & Women’s Rights

Support Equality- The government isn’t doing enough to protect civil rights; the civil rights movement hasn’t gone far enough; more governmental involvement is needed

Support Equality- Affirmative Action has gone too far-it causes more problems than it solves; sexual harassment cases have gone too far; get the government out

Political Parties

I. Intro

III. Voter Groups• Take survey

IV. Political Parties (In General)

• Democrats vs. Republicans

V. Conc.