Distinguish between the two major political parties in Texas based on their ideology, group support, and the future challenges they face
What will be an ideal response?
Answer:
A. Democrats
1. Issues and Ideology
a. increased spending of the national government
b. protecting the interests of individual
c. promoting a stronger union
d. rebuild American infrastructure
2. Group Support
a. liberals
b. minorities
c. yellow-dog democrats
d. non-medical and non-legal graduate students
3. Challenges
a. increase voter participation
b. shifting demographics and increasing turnout
c. grab the Latino vote
d. show how extreme Republican Party and foster idea of Democrats as moderate, engaged and fair
e. protect liberal and progressive ideologies
f. reestablish ties to blue-collar whites and union members
B. Republicans
1. Issues and Ideology
a. downsize the federal government
b. decision making should be close to people
c. powers dispersed to state and local governments
d. adopt a balanced budget
e. abolish federal agencies not detailed in Constitution
2. Group Support
a. conservatives
b. business owners
c. Evangelical Christians
d. voters who want government out of their daily lives
e. white, married, middle to high income brackets
3. Challenges
a. division of factions
1. economic conservatives: low taxes and limited business regulations
2. social conservatives: problems due to moral decay
3. libertarian conservatives: government out of daily lives
b. unified against Democrats but future might bring a division of these coalitions
c. growth of the popularity of the Tea Party
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