Ch4 - Political Parties in Texas

Question 1

Political party

Answer 1

a group of people who share common goals and attempt to control government by winning elections

Question 2

Interest group

Answer 2

a group comes together to influence public policy, often around a specific issue

Question 3

What is the main goal of political parties?

Answer 3

Win elections

Question 4

Coalition

Answer 4

an alliance of a variety of individuals and groups in support of a particular candidate for elected office

Question 5

What is the basic structure of American political parties?

Answer 5

Coalitional
Each party comprises of a # of different subgroups that band together to win elections
Ideas are vaguely defined
Tension and rivalry between factions
Winning>ideology

Question 6

Faction

Answer 6

division group within a political party

Question 7

What is the basic structure of political parties in other countries?

Answer 7

Ideological
Factionalism is rare
Fidelity to principle>winning elections

Question 8

Ideological

Answer 8

characterizing a group who adhere to a strict set of political beliefs

Question 9

Ideological parties in Texas

Answer 9

Libertarian party
Raza Unidas
Tea Party
Green party

Question 10

Conventions

Answer 10

formal party meetings to select leadership and delegates and to create a platform

Question 11

What is done at conventions?

Answer 11

Each party:
- selects a chair for the convention
- writes a platform
- selects the state R/D Executive Committee
- selects a state chair

Pres years:
- selects delegates to the parties’ national conventions
- selects a slate of elections who will cast electoral votes

Question 12

Platform

Answer 12

the statement of principles passed by a PP’s convention

• becomes the party’s written agenda
• important for convention members / not important to candidates

Question 13

The Chair for the State Party

Answer 13

• The spokesman over the ensuing 2 years
• the go-to person for the media
• fundraising
• recruiting new candidates to run for office
• elected by majority vote
• no salary

Question 14

The State R/D Executive Committee

Answer 14

• 31 men + 31 women, each selected in their senate district caucus at the state convention
• meet >= 1/quarter to make statements and manage party’s biz
• informal responsibilities: to raise $, recruit new candidates
• no salary

Question 15

State Senatorial District Convention

Answer 15

midlevel party meeting between precinct and state; same level as county convention

Question 16

What is done at state senatorial district convention?

Answer 16

• selection of delegates to the state convention
• writing county/district platforms

Question 17

Precinct conventions

Answer 17

the basic or grassroot level at which delegates are selected to the county party convention
The base of TX political system

Question 18

Precinct

Answer 18

a political subdivision through which elections are carried out

Question 19

Precinct Chair

Answer 19

• elected by the primary voters
• responsible for running the primary election in their precinct
• works to rally loyal party members to the polls in the general election
• no salary
• 2 year terms/ no limit
• serves as a member of the county executive committee

Question 20

County Executive Committe

Answer 20

• comprised of precinct chairs
• assists the county chair in carrying out their duties and serves in an advisory capacity
• no salary

Question 21

The County Chair

Answer 21

• elected by voters in the primary
• no salary
• 2 year term/ no limits
• responsible for running the primary elections & staffing precincts with election judges and workers
• point of contact for candidates

Question 22

Populist

Answer 22

a political movement of ordinary people who feel their concerns have been disregarded by those in power.

Question 23

D Party factions in TX in early 1900s

Answer 23

Progressive - fought for election reform & against the sale of alcohol; managed to pass child labor laws + electoral reforms + introduce party primaries

Conservative - more biz oriented

Question 24

Down-ballot races

Answer 24

statewide races below the level of president, US Senator, or governor

Question 25

John Tower

Answer 25

The 1st Republican elected to the US Senate from Texas since Reconstruction (1961).
Laid the foundation for the growth of Republican party in Texas

Question 26

Bill Clements

Answer 26

The first Republican to win a governor seat in Texas since Reconstruction. 1978

Question 27

When did Texas become a two-party state

Answer 27

Election Day 1988

Question 28

Republican challenges

Answer 28

To appeal to minority voters. especially Hispanic

Question 29

Factions of the Republican Party

Answer 29

Economic Conservatives:
Social conservatives
Libertarian conservatives
Tea Party Wing
Trump Wing

Question 30

Economic Conservatives:

Answer 30

• country club Republicans
• most concerned with economic issues
• low taxes + limited biz regulation
• no strong opinions on social issues; others quietly progressive

Question 31

Libertarian conservatives

Answer 31

• smaller gov and less regulation
• oppose social agenda of the religious conservatives
• agree with economic conservatives on taxes, yet would prefer even less gov spending

Question 31

Social conservatives

Answer 31

• moral decay is the basis of the st’s & nation’s problems
• aka Religious Right
• oppose abortion, gay marriage & porn
• agree with economic conservatives on tax matters, but not regulatory ones

Question 32

Tea Party Wing

Answer 32

• Arose out of dissatisfaction with government bailout programs during the financial crisis of 2008 Recession
• Share many of the concerns of the social conservatives

Question 33

Democratic challenges

Answer 33

Get more voters to the polls
Appeal to their bases: minority voters. young people, and suburban women