People
What label was given to people who defected from their usual party to vote for Ronald Reagan in 1980 and 1984?
Reagan Democrats
Which major party won more presidential elections between 1952 and 1988?
Republicans
A formal statement of the party's position on current issues
party platform
The power of the two main parties has not always been _______.
balanced
smallest units of election districts and party administration
precincts
These people vote for candidates from more than one party. What is that called?
ticket-splitting
Political party that is based on elections
splinter party
example: Progressive "Bull Moose" Party
Term for when a candidate receives the largest number of votes (although that might not constitute a majority)
plurality
DAILY DOUBLE
Explain why party power has deteriorated in the past fifty years.
Which amendment called for direct elections of senators?
Seventeenth
States Rights Party
Strom Thurmond
These type of political parties tend to be the moderating force in American politics
major
a spirit of two-party cooperation
bipartisan or bipartisanship
Name and describe one of the party functions
Nominating candidates - Naming candidates for public office. These candidates are chosen through a party’s convention, a party’s caucus, or a state party primary. The candidates are then presented to the voters. The party works on promoting the candidate.
Governing - After a political party wins the election, this is the point where they push their legislation through Congress.
Watchdogs - The losing party watches the actions of the winning party to make sure their behavior and policies are accounted for. If they get out of line, it is reported to the people.
Moderating influence - Political parties are an important moderating influence over competing and even conflicting political forces. The major parties tend to lessen extremism at both ends of the spectrum.
Which amendment limits the number of terms a president may be elected to serve?
twenty-second
Progressive Party
Theodore Roosevelt
Give an example of an ideological party
Socialist Labor Party
Label given to someone who defends the status quo, against change in the political, social, and economic institutions of society
conservative
Republicans tend to be more conservative than Democrats
These are more expensive and longer than they were in the past because methods of communication (and transportation) are so much better.
campaigns
This Democrat broke the Republican hold on the White House in 1932
Franklin D Roosevelt
American Independent Party
George Wallace
Although relatively few people have voted for ________ candidates, the parties have had an effect on the American political system.
third-party
Another name for a third-party? minor party
This means a temporary alliance of several groups to forma majority to gain control of the government
coalition
Name a reason for party formation
tradition
electoral system
competition
He introduced the "spoils system"
Andrew Jackson