"Big changes in the Republican field. It's a 10-way tie for Not Romney." –Stephen Colbert

"They say Chris Christie decided not to get into the presidential race because he has no shot at winning. That’s not stopping President Obama though." –Jay Leno

"A month ago, all we heard about was Rick Perry and now, he’s off the map. He had a worse September than the Red Sox." –David Letterman

"Hey, Congratulations to Donald Trump, who just welcomed his fourth grandchild! You could tell it was Trump’s grandchild because as soon as it came out, it demanded to see its own birth certificate." –Jimmy Fallon

"As the Republicans continue checking underneath every available flag pin and Bible for viable candidates, presumed de facto frontrunner candidate Mitt Romney has gotta be thinking, ‘What the fudge? This is starting to hurt where my feelings should be.'" –Jon Stewart

"In a new interview, President Obama revealed that Steve Jobs gave him an iPad last year before it was officially released. Unfortunately, it broke when Biden thought it was an Etch A Sketch and started shaking it." –Jimmy Fallon

Top Ten Reasons Why Chris Christie Isn’t Running For President

10. As always, he's following his gut 9. Wants to spend more time with pie 8. There isn't a Quiznos within five miles of the White

House 7. Afraid of going up against the Newt Gingrich juggernaut 6. Doesn't own a tie without a mustard stain 5. He was advised against it by his closest confidante,

Duncan Hines 4. Constitution requires every candidate to be able to see

their feet 3. Can't understand response because of chewing 2. Hank Williams, Jr. just compared him to Stalin 1. He was born in Kenya

The Two-Party System:Democrats, Republicans, and GDIsChapter 7: Wilson

AP Government and Politics

Consider: Should the United States consider adopting a “multiparty”

model?

“Saying we should keep the two-party system simply because it is working is like saying the Titanic voyage was a success because a few people survived on life rafts.”

- Eugene McCarthy

Homework: Read Wilson, Chapter 8 (185-200) and take notes

Our Two-Party System Relatively unique in

the world, even among democracies› Both national parties

have been relatively evenly balanced during most of modern history; but… More recently…who

owned the White House?

Who owns Congress?› And at state and local

levels, parties dominate different areas

"A party of order or stability, and a party of progress or reform, are both necessary elements of a healthy state of political life."John Stuart Mill, On Liberty, 1859

Why 2 Parties? Historical circumstance

› Two ways of seeing the Constitution › It just so happened that two major factions emerged in our early years.

However, once this happened, it became difficult for any third faction to for a third party to survive. This is because a third group would steal votes from one of the other existing parties, thus splitting the votes and dooming both of them. Thus, new groups usually merged into one of the two existing factions.

Elections are slanted in favor of two party system› Plurality and winner-take-all in both state and federal elections.› Single-member districts for MoCs › Electoral College and WTA system – voters don’t want to “waste” their votes.› Electoral laws make it more difficult for third parties to get on the ballot in

many states; In addition, Dems often battle their ideological “brethren” Greens, and Reps battle

Libertarians to keep them off the ballot. Opinions of the voters

› For some reason, voters seem to split with the two major parties on most of the important issues in our country

Alternative/Possible party coalitions have not formed or do not last› Churches or Aristocracy, Civil Rights or Anti-War, Economic system

Beliefs of Dems and Reps: A Short Quiz

Generally speaking, which party…› Supports gay marriage?› Supports gun ownership by individuals?› Is pro-life?› Favors government regulation of economy› Favors harsher penalties for illegal immigrants › Continue defense spending at current levels› Believe taxes on wealthy are “job killers”?› Believe health care should be available to all via a government-

run system› Is anti-globalization› Calls for passage of Equal Rights Amendment (ERA)› Favors repealing the 17th amendment› Full public financing of campaigns› Opposes compulsory government service

Not Invited: Minor Parties Do they play a significant role in our 2-party

system?› If so, how? If not, why not?

Multiparty systems – the Israeli KnessetParty Seats +/–

Kadima 28 −1Likud 27 +15

Yisrael Beiteinu 15 +4Labor Party 13 –6

Shas 11 –1United Torah Judaism 5 –1

United Arab List 4 —Hadash 4 +1Meretz 3 –2Balad 3 —

Two party vs. Multiparty systems

Both systems, being democratic, rest on compromise.› – In a two party system, compromise takes place

prior to elections as parties select moderate candidates who they believe can win a majority.

› – In multiparty systems, ideologically pure parties are forced to compromise after elections in order to form a majority coalition to pass laws (and often select a prime minister).

Two party vs. Multiparty systems

Two party systems tend to be more stable.

Multi-party systems offer voters more choice. › Having only two choices may dampen voter turnout.

Two Party Systems narrow legislative debate:› – Even if outvoted, small parties if represented are likely to

raise issues the other parties wouldn’t otherwise discuss.

Two Party Systems may be more polarizing:› – Parties in multiparty systems must work together and form

coalitions which forces members to reach across party lines.