Changing significance and influence of the parties
(evaluate the view that political parties do not play an important role in Congress)
Increased partisanship (polarisation)– parties do play a role
1982, conservative Democrat Zorinsky would have been a moderate Republican
Now conservative Democrat Joe Manchin is more like liberal GOP Susan Collins
The differences within the parties was larger than the differences between them
o Difference between Gillibrand and Manchin smaller than 1982 Zorinsky and Kennedy
But partisanship doesn’t mean members always vote the same way
o Manchin voted against Build Back Better
o Collins voted to convict Trump
Communication with voters – parties don’t play a role
Lost the function as the route between officials and voters (had to do it through a rally)
Politicians communicate electronically, whilst voters ‘speak back’ through polls
AOC does Q&A on Instagram to directly communicate, Ted Cruz has ‘Verdict’ podcast
Parties fund many campaigns for politicians to communicate
o Dem National Committee $172 million fundraising 2021-22
o Rep National Committee $187 million fundraising 2021-22
o Overall $860 million fundraising
Extremist movements – parties don’t play a role
Tea Party – shifted party more fiscally conservative
o Managed to elect 28 to House
o 2010 midterms, 32% of candidate identifying as Tea Party won
o Unseated sitting GOP House Maj Leader Eric Cantor
Blue Dog Coalition
o Established National Commission of Fiscal Responsibility and Reform
Movements can be drowned out by wider party
o Blue Dogs losses accounted for ½ of Democrat losses
Moderate Tuesday Group members stopped Trump’s efforts to repeal PPACA
(evaluate the view that political parties do not play an important role in Congress)
Increased partisanship (polarisation)– parties do play a role
1982, conservative Democrat Zorinsky would have been a moderate Republican
Now conservative Democrat Joe Manchin is more like liberal GOP Susan Collins
The differences within the parties was larger than the differences between them
o Difference between Gillibrand and Manchin smaller than 1982 Zorinsky and Kennedy
But partisanship doesn’t mean members always vote the same way
o Manchin voted against Build Back Better
o Collins voted to convict Trump
Communication with voters – parties don’t play a role
Lost the function as the route between officials and voters (had to do it through a rally)
Politicians communicate electronically, whilst voters ‘speak back’ through polls
AOC does Q&A on Instagram to directly communicate, Ted Cruz has ‘Verdict’ podcast
Parties fund many campaigns for politicians to communicate
o Dem National Committee $172 million fundraising 2021-22
o Rep National Committee $187 million fundraising 2021-22
o Overall $860 million fundraising
Extremist movements – parties don’t play a role
Tea Party – shifted party more fiscally conservative
o Managed to elect 28 to House
o 2010 midterms, 32% of candidate identifying as Tea Party won
o Unseated sitting GOP House Maj Leader Eric Cantor
Blue Dog Coalition
o Established National Commission of Fiscal Responsibility and Reform
Movements can be drowned out by wider party
o Blue Dogs losses accounted for ½ of Democrat losses
Moderate Tuesday Group members stopped Trump’s efforts to repeal PPACA
