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American Government Lecture Eight (view source)
Revision as of 03:19, November 12, 2012
, 03:19, November 12, 2012RNC procedures
The Republicans held their majority in the House of Representatives, despite the coattails of the Democrats winning the presidency and improving their majority in the U.S. Senate to 55-45. (The U.S. Senate has two Independents, but they will likely "caucus" or vote with the Democrats, and thus are usually included in the Democrats' overall tally.)
The Republicans held their majority in the House of Representatives, despite the coattails of the Democrats winning the presidency and improving their majority in the U.S. Senate to 55-45. (The U.S. Senate has two Independents, but they will likely "caucus" or vote with the Democrats, and thus are usually included in the Democrats' overall tally.)
The House of Representatives (the "House") is historically the most powerful part of government, as it is the starting point for all financial issues, such as the annual budget. By retaining control of the House, Republicans remain on equal footing with the Democrats with respect to any new legislation that will be proposed. This "divided government" may result in "gridlock" (a term for when nothing new becomes law because Democrats control part of government and Republicans control the other part, and they do not agree.)
The House of Representatives (the "House") is historically the most powerful part of government, as it is the starting point for all financial issues, such as the annual budget. By retaining control of the House, Republicans remain on equal footing with the Democrats with respect to any new legislation that will be proposed. This "divided government" may result in "gridlock" (a term for when nothing new becomes law because Democrats control part of government and Republicans control the other part, and they do not agree).
=== Initiative and Referendum ===
=== Initiative and Referendum ===
The "smoke-filled room" is a term used to describe a few powerful people smoking cigars who make all the important political decisions within each political party. Then the orders go out to everyone else in the party to obey, or else lose support from the party for reelection.
The "smoke-filled room" is a term used to describe a few powerful people smoking cigars who make all the important political decisions within each political party. Then the orders go out to everyone else in the party to obey, or else lose support from the party for reelection.
At the top of the party structure is a national committee. For the Republicans, it is the Republican National Committee, which raises enormous sums of money and otherwise sets direction for the party.
At the top of the party structure is a national committee. For the Republicans, it is the Republican National Committee, which raises enormous sums of money and otherwise sets direction for the party. Its Chairman, Reince Priebus, can be seen frequently on television news programs stating the views of the Republican Party.
== When are the Next Elections? ==
=== RNC procedures ===
The Republican National Committee (RNC) has a set of rules that govern how it operates and picks its leadership. Each of 56 states and American territories has three representatives who are members of the RNC, and they meet twice a year. Their next meeting is in January 2013, when they will elect the Chairman for the next two years, until January 2015. Its current Chairman is likely to announce soon that he is running for reelection.
The nomination and election procedures are governed by the RNC's "bylaws", which is the name given to the rules that govern how any organization or corporation is run internally. In this case, nominations for the office of Chairman are made by the vote of a majority of the delegates from at least 3 states or territories. Several candidates for the office are typically nominated, and then the RNC members vote on whom they prefer. It often requires multiple ballots to reduce the number of candidates to two or three, whereupon one candidate finally wins the race by receiving a majority of 168 votes (85 total votes).
For example, on the first ballot there may be five candidates who win 50, 40, 25, 20 and 15 votes, with some members absent and therefore not voting. The candidates who received only 20 and 15 votes may then drop out, such that on the second ballot the other three candidates receive more votes each. This process is repeated until a candidate receives a majority of the votes.
== When Are the Next Elections? ==
One aspect of politics that some like, while others dislike, is that it never stops. The day after an election, the focus begins on the next election. Most politicians never take their eye off their approval ratings or the next election.
One aspect of politics that some like, while others dislike, is that it never stops. The day after an election, the focus begins on the next election. Most politicians never take their eye off their approval ratings or the next election.
New Jersey and Virginia are unusual in holding major elections in odd-numbered years, so in 2013 there will be campaigns and elections in these states. Why do New Jersey and Virginia do this? Probably to give greater power to the political machines, keeping them influential all the time.
New Jersey and Virginia are unusual in holding major elections in odd-numbered years, so in 2013 there will be campaigns and elections in these states. Why do New Jersey and Virginia do this? Probably to give greater power to the political machines, keeping them influential all the time.
Governor Chris Christie's stands for reelection in 2013, and the massive Democrat majority in New Jersey makes it difficult for him to win. His opponent may be Newark mayor Corey Booker, a rising star among Democrats who may one day want to run for president himself.
Governor Chris Christie's stands for reelection in 2013, and the massive Democrat majority in New Jersey makes it difficult for him to win. His opponent may be Newark mayor Cory Booker, a rising star among Democrats who may one day run for president himself.
Christie and Booker must first win their party's primary in June in order to qualify for the ballot in November. There will almost certainly be other Democrats who oppose Booker for that party's nomination. Will anyone run against Christie in his primary?
Christie and Booker must first win their party's primary in June in order to qualify for the ballot in November. There will almost certainly be other Democrats who oppose Booker for that party's nomination. Will anyone run against Christie in his primary?
<br>4. In which direction do you think the Republican National Committee (RNC) should take in order to improve its election results in 2014 and 2016?
<br>4. In which direction do you think the Republican National Committee (RNC) should take in order to improve its election results in 2014 and 2016?
<br>5. Which states hold major elections in 2013, and when do candidates begin running, perhaps quietly, for president in 2016?
<br>5. Which states hold major elections in 2013, and when do candidates begin running, perhaps quietly, for president in 2016?
<br>6. Do you think it was right for Governor Chris Christie to praise Obama after Hurricane Sandy and less than a week before the election? Discuss.
<br>6. Do you think it was right for Governor Chris Christie to praise Obama so much shortly after Hurricane Sandy, when it was less than a week before Election Day? Discuss.
<br>7.
<br>7. What is the filibuster rule in the U.S. Senate, and do you think it should be changed to allow 51 votes to stop it? Explain.
<br>8.
<br>8. Explain when and how the Republican National Committee will pick its next Chairman. Do you think the current Chairman (Reince Priebus) should be reelected for another two years?
'''Extra credit''' (answer two of the following five questions):
'''Extra credit''' (answer two of the following five questions):