The document discusses political science topics related to partisanship, focusing on the Republican and Democratic parties in California and their factions, as well as the power distribution among national, state, and local parties. It highlights the influence of individual characteristics on partisanship and voting behavior, and examines campaign strategies including Proposition 8 regarding gay marriage. Additionally, it contains references to past elections and the role of political activists in shaping perceptions and rhetoric within the American two-party system.

1. West Coast American Leadership Academy
Political Science 1 – US Government
Fall 2015 / Spring 2016 – Power Point 11

2. Course Lecture Topics
1. Partisanship
2. California Republican Party
3. Democratic Party Of California
4. Major Party Power Distribution
5. How The Masses Perceive The Party
6. Blast From The Past: Wilson Versus Brown
7. Bush In 30 Seconds
8. Campaign Rhetoric
9. Yes On Proposition 8 Campaign
10. No On Proposition 8 Campaign

3. Partisanship
Variables can help determine partisanship like the religion,
social status and place of residence of the individual. For
example, Catholics tend to be Democrats and Protestants tend
to be Republicans. Those individuals having a low social
status tended to associate with the Democrats and those
holding high social status tended to be Republican. Rural
citizens tend to be more closely associated with the
Republican Party and those residing in the urban areas tended
to lean towards the Democratic Party. A conglomeration of
variables or even a particular characteristic can assist us in
determining individual behavior. Though this is true, it is the
degree of partisanship one holds that remains the best
predictor for determining how one may vote on Election Day.

4. California Republican Party
There are three conservative factions within the Republican
Party. Individuals may identify themselves with more than one.
These are:
1. Financial Conservatives
2. Social Conservatives
3. Moral Conservatives
Moral Conservatives are the most partisan and ideological
who impact statewide office seekers during a primary. One
can argue that moral conservative influence influenced
Schwarzenegger to not seek the Republican nomination for
Governor in 2002. He instead waited for the right opportunity:
The Recall Election of 2003.

5. Democratic Party Of California
The Democratic Party Of California is not split into three distinct
factions. It is known as the “Big Tent” or “Big Umbrella” Party.
Though the party consists of various interest groups that are in a
constant pursuit for power, it does not have the same problem as
the California Republican Party.

6. Major Party Power Distribution
National parties have
become weaker while
state and local party
organizations became
more powerful. Sub-
national parties are
stronger and more active
than they were in the
1950s, which was at the
peak of partisanship. As
partisanship continued to
erode that they shifted
gears in order to bolster
their membership base.
National Party
State Party
Local City / County Party Local City / County Party
Local City / County Party Local City / County Party
Local City / County Party Local City / County Party

7. How The Masses Perceive The Parties
Activists are most likely to participate
in campaign activities. These are the
most partisan among typical voters.
Two of the most common activities
aside from voting is donating
personal labor and financial
resources. Political pandering refers
to how parties cater to their core base
of activists. Those found in the
Republican Party tend to be more
conservative than the average
Republican voter. Democratic
activists on the other hand tend to be
more liberal than the average
Democratic voter.

8. Blast From The Past!
This is a video compilation of
campaign commercials from
the 1994 California Governor’s
Race! Are the topics
addressed identical to those
concerns held today? What
similarities, if any, are there to
the 2006 governor’s election?
Are the issues addressed
pertinent to 2009?

9. Bush In 30 Seconds
During the 2004 reelection,
Moveon.org sponsored a
contest inviting people to submit
a thirty second campaign
commercial attacking the Bush
Administration. The winning
commercial was broadcasted
nationwide one time during
primetime. This was the
opportunity for amateurs to rise
to stardom.

10. Campaign Rhetoric
America remains a two party system. The reasons for this
being are:
1. Tradition of the two party system.
2. Winner take all elections.
3. Each state has different rules pertaining to ballot access.
Campaign rhetoric is based on one or more of the following
with the first two remaining the most prevalent:
1. National Security
2. National Economy
3. Social / Nuisances Issues

11. Proposition 8 – Yes On 8
The debate over gay marriage is an issue
of great concern. Various forces are in play
not only in California, but also across the
nation over how we as a society should
define marriage. Californians faced a wide
multitude of ballot propositions on
November 4, 2008. One issue of particular
interest is the anti-gay measure that will
amend California’s Constitution, defining
marriage or the recognition of such as
being between a man and a woman.
Proposition 8 passed with 52.1% of the
vote. This video is a compilation of
advertisements produced by “Yes On
Proposition 8”. What were the significant
points made by these advertisements?

12. Proposition 8 – No On 8
The debate over gay marriage is an issue
of great concern. Various forces are in play
not only in California, but also across the
nation over how we as a society should
define marriage. Californians faced a wide
multitude of ballot propositions on
November 4, 2008. One issue of particular
interest is the anti-gay measure that will
amend California’s Constitution, defining
marriage or the recognition of such as
being between a man and a woman.
Proposition 8 passed with 52.1% of the
vote. This video is a compilation of
advertisements produced by “No On
Proposition 8”. What were the significant
points made by these advertisements?