The two major parties in American politics.

It became important in the late 1990s.

Strong candidate running for office at top of ballot attracts voters to other on ticket; detract.

Seeks to control govt. to affect pub. policy & programs-winning elections & holding public office.

US party system began as this; retained; parties became moderate & helped to unify the nation.

Won 7 of 10 presidential elections; Nixon, Reagan, George HW Bush, & George W Bush were this era.

It became important in the late 1940s & early 1950s.

The process of candidate selection by naming those who will seek office.

Parties that have split away from one of the major parties.

Most of it in the U.S. is state – not federal.

Won 13 of 15 presidential elections; James Madison, James Monroe, Andrew Jackson were this era.

It became important in the early 1920s.

Main means for making nominations at all levels in Am. politics; delegates vote on candidates.

Parties based on a particular set of beliefs such as a comprehensive view of social, economic, and political matters.

Complex collection of opinions of many different people; sum of all of views, not undivided view.

Won 7 of 9 presidential elections; Roosevelt, Truman, Kennedy, & L. Johnson were in this era.

They became important in the mid-1700s.

An intra-party election to pick that party’s candidates for the general election.

A private organization that tries to persuade public officials to respond to the shared attitudes of its members.

Society of many cultures/groups, but with broad consensus, or general agreement, on fundamentals.

Won 14 of 18 pres. elections; Abraham Lincoln, Ulysses Grant, Theodore Roosevelt were this era.

They became important in the mid-1800s.

A group of like-minded people who meet to select the candidates they will support in an upcoming election.

Administers fed. law dealing w/ campaign finance; limits on contributions & expenditures, PACs.

Those activities by which group pressures are brought to bear on legislators and the legislative process.