This document discusses political parties in Indiana. It outlines the primary and convention processes for selecting candidates at the state and federal levels. It also describes the structure of political parties from the national level down to the local precinct level. Additionally, it examines the strengths and weaknesses of the two major parties, as well as third party challenges. Finally, it notes opportunities and challenges facing both Republicans and Democrats given current political conditions.

1. Political Parties 9-25-2006

2. Parties What’s Good - Simplicity - Focused Objectives - Strength in numbers What’s Bad - Lack of options - Does your vote matter? - Minority opinions are silenced

3. Who wants to be a candidate? Primary – Election before the election. In Indiana, primaries happen in May. Convention – Delegates decide at a Convention.

4. Hoosier Candidate! Primary – Federal Offices (Senator, House Representative, President) Convention – Statewide candidates (except Governor) Treasurer, Auditor, and Secretary of State. Slating – Party endorses candidates that are in a primary.

5. Structure of Parties State Chair National Chair County Chair Township Chair Precinct Committeemen Ward Chair

6. Party Leadership Republican National Chair Ken Mehlman Democrat National Chair Howard Dean

7. Indiana Party Leadership Republican State Chairman Murray Clark Democrat Chair Dan Parker

8. County Leadership Democrats – No idea… sorry ☹ Marion County Republican Chair Mike Murphy

9. It keeps going… Franklin Township Chair – Tim Ping Pictured w/ wife Jennifer Ping Marion County Auditor Candidate

10. More….. Ward Chair – Teresa Young Precinct Commiteeman – John ‘high on the totem pole’ Schaefer

11. We be Clubbin’! Downtown GOP Club Marion County Young Republicans Federation of Republican Women New Generation of Republican Women College Republicans 1 st Republicans Benjamin Harrison Republicans

12. Where are parties the strongest? 2004 Presidential Historical ‘Swing’ Voters

13. Rock the Vote! Party Based Voters – Support the Party, and the Party alone. Issue Based Supporters – Vote on a single issue(s) regardless of Party. Candidate Based Voting – Pick on the person, and not the Party.

14. Head of the State – Change is good (every once in awhile) 20 years of Republicans ended w/ Evan Bayh 16 years of Democrats ended w/ Mitch Daniels

15. Strengths Republicans Far Christian Right Democrats Unions

16. Party Negative Stereotypes Republicans – RICH GET RICHER… POOR GET POORER! MWA HAHA! Democrats – God hating baby killers

17. 3 rd parties Is it wasting your vote? Is it fair? There are tons!! Psst… don’t tell anyone that I’m really a Libertarian

18. Politics Today Republicans losing popularity In power for too long Iraqi War Counterterrorism methods Democrats have an opportunity Capitalize on weaknesses Develop alternatives and a ‘blue print’