Dr. Tabakian’s Political Science 1 US Government – Spring 2013

Power Point Presentation #13

COURSE LECTURE TOPICS – 1

• Foundation Of California Politics

• California Republican Party

• Democratic Party Of California

• Power Structure Of Both Major Parties

• Interest Groups In The Golden State

• Aerospace

• Environmental and “Green” Companies

• Media – Music, Film, Television

• Agriculture

• Healthcare

• Computer Technology

• Transportation

COURSE LECTURE TOPICS – 2

• Campaign 2008 Review • Presidential Primary • Presidential General Election • California Proposition 8 Campaign

• Yes On Proposition 8 “Protect Marriage Initiative” • No On Proposition 8 “Separate But Equal Is Not Equal”

“GREEN” COMPANIES – TESLA

California influences the nation. If the

state were its own country it would be

the 6th most economically powerful.

The Golden State also influences

national as well as world opinion.

Californians are known to be pro-

conservationist. “Green” policy is also

profitable. Tesla is a relatively new car

company located in San Carlos,

California. They are leading the

rebirth of the electric car. This is a

“Nightline” report of the Tesla

Roadster that aired May 25, 2007.

CALIFORNIA AGRICULTURE

Agriculture is a major industry for the Golden State. With 88,000

farms and ranches, California agriculture is nearly a $32 billion

dollar industry that generates $100 billion in related economic

activity. This enormous achievement is possible through a

combination of tradition and innovation that has secured

California's status as the most productive agricultural state for

more than 50 years. Farmers and ranchers blend old-fashioned

notions of patience and perseverance with cutting-edge

technologies and advanced agricultural practices. The result is a

highly adaptable and diverse industry encompassing more than

350 plant and animal commodities.

(Source: California Department of Food & Agriculture)

• Mainstream media generates

over $60 billion in related

economic activity

• Some put the estimate at

over $80 billion

• Various aspects apply to

making this estimate

MAINSTREAM MEDIA

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.

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.

CRP - MORAL CONSERVATIVE IMPACT

Governor Davis faced considerable

opposition during his re-election

campaign for governor. Richard Riordan

was viewed as the most formidable

opponent if he were to be the

Republican nominee. Gray Davis’s

strategy was to attack Richard Riordan

during the primary so the more

conservative opponent, Bill Simon

acquires the nomination. These

campaign commercials from Gray Davis

were directed towards moral

conservatives to nominate Bill Simon.

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.

MAJOR PARTY POWER DISTRIBUTION

Even though the national

parties have become weaker

and less active, that the

same cannot be said of state

and local party

organizations. Parties at the

sub-national level are

stronger and more active

than they were in the 1950s,

which was at the peak of

partisanship. It was

discovered that 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

AMERICA’S TWO PARTY SYSTEM

Our system maintains a process where

unsuccessful parties are discarded or

forced to join with other minor parties,

which in this case has resulted in the

formation of two major parties. Many of the

rules pertaining to elections in the United

States have been designed to weed out

nuisance candidates. Only those

candidates who have demonstrated a

good deal of public support are allowed

access. America continues to enjoy a

stable political system that is maintained

with its two party system. Enjoy this video

of Frank Grimes, the 2004 nominee of the

American Fascist Union for the

Presidency!

PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION 2008 – PRIMARY

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?

BUSH IN 30

EXAMPLE OF PLURALISM

PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION 2008 – GENERAL (1)

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 Maintains 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

This video presentation is a compilation of 2008 Presidential Candidate

Commercials made during the general phase. Are there any key differences

between these commercials geared towards general election voters in

comparison to those made during the Primary Election?

PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION 2008 – GENERAL (2)

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 Maintains 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

This is the famous Obama/Biden Infomercial. The Obama campaign bought 30

minutes on two major television networks to make one last pitch to the

American People on October 29, 2008. Many questioned the effectiveness of

this method considering that Ross Perot used the same tactic and failed.

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?

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?