Political Alignment, Leadership, and Policy

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D Band

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E Band

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Welcome!

I’m Kwan Hopkins

You can find me on Instagram: @HopGrams or on Snapchat: @HopSnaps.

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My goal is to help further your understanding of the American political landscape and to inspire you to be active and knowledgeable participants in our democracy.

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Disclaimer:

You may hear thoughts, opinions, and/or ideas that you don’t agree with. It is NOT your job to shut those ideas down. Everyone is entitled to share their beliefs and, as the instructor, I will protect everyone’s right to speak freely.

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[The spirit of party] agitates the community with ill-founded jealousies and false alarms, kindles the animosity of one part against another, foments occasionally riot and insurrection.

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-George Washington

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1.) Partisanship: The State of Politics Today

How do we choose to align ourselves politically?

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Conservatism (The Republican Party)

• Conservatism - the holding of political views that favor free enterprise, private ownership, and individualism.
• Values rooted in tradition and morals
• Common conservative positions in America include being in support of:
• Limited government
• A balance between national government and states' rights
• Strong action in national defense and law enforcement
• Opposing abortion
• Restricting LGBT rights
• Voluntary school prayer

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Important Figures

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Donald Trump

President of the United States

Pete Ricketts

Chair of the RGA

Ronna Romney-McDaniel

Chair of the RNC

Kevin McCarthy

House Minority Leader

Mitch McConnell

Senate Majority Leader

Liberalism (The Democratic Party)

• Liberalism - the view that government should be a crucial instrument for eliminating social inequities
• Values rooted in progression and ethics
• Common liberal positions in America include being in support of:
• Opposing cuts to the social safety net
• Protecting the civil rights and civil liberties
• Providing education
• Ensuring access to healthcare
• Regulating economic activity
• Protecting the environment

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Important Figures

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Tom Perez

Chair of the DNC

Gina Raimondo

Chair of the DGA

Nancy Pelosi

Speaker of the House

Chuck Schumer

Senate Minority Leader

Man is by nature a political animal.

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-Aristotle

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2.) Policy

What kinds of political proposals gain our interest?

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Let’s Debate!

The Economy

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Does raising the minimum wage hurt or help the economy?

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Healthcare

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Is Obamacare sustainable?

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In choosing a president, we really don't choose a Republican or Democrat, a conservative or liberal. We choose a leader.

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-Rudy Giuliani

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3.) Choosing Our Leaders

Why do Americans choose certain people to lead them?

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Electability

• Electability - having the qualities which make election likely or plausible
• We consider the following:
• Constituencies
• Fundraising
• Political labels
• Polling

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Experience

• What positions has a person held?
• How long has this person been in politics?
• What have they gotten done?

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Personality

• Political Personality - qualities central to the candidate
• We look for the following:
• Charisma - Does this person inspire me? Does this person make me feel a certain way after hearing them.
• Consistency - Has this person always done this?
• Trust - Does this person tell lies? Have they been involved in any scandals?

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Bernie Sanders

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• Electability:
• Constituencies:
• Younger Voters
• White Voters
• New England Voters
• Fundraising:
• No PAC money
• Most cash raised
• Political Labels:
• Progressive
• Democratic Socialist
• Populist
• Independent
• Polling:
• Either 1st or second in both national and primary polls
• Experience:
• Mayor of Burlington (1981-1989)
• U.S. Representative (1991-2007)
• U.S. Senator (2001-present)

Donald Trump

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• Electability:
• Constituencies:
• White Voters
• Southern Voters
• Midwestern
• Blue Collar Voters
• Fundraising:
• Accepts all donations
• Utilizes personal wealth
• Political Labels:
• “Populist”
• Fascist
• Authoritarian
• Polling:
• 1st primary polls
• Experience:
• No prior political experience
• Chairman of the Trump Organization
• Current President of the United States

Pete Buttigieg

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• Electability:
• Constituencies:
• Older Voters
• White Voters
• Blue Collar Voters
• Midwestern voters
• Fundraising:
• No PAC money
• 5th most cash raised
• Political Labels:
• Progressive
• Polling:
• Recently polling third in early primary states
• Experience:
• Navy Lieutenant (2009-2017)
• Mayor of South Bend (2012-present)

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Bill Weld

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• Electability:
• Constituencies:
• White Voters
• New England voters
• Centrists
• Fundraising:
• Accepts all donations
• Political Labels:
• Moderate
• Libertarian
• Polling:
• Currently 8%
• Experience:
• U.S. Attorney for the District of Massachusetts (1981-1986)
• United States Assistant Attorney General for the Criminal Division (1986-1988)
• Governor of Massachusetts (1991-1997)

Beto O’Rourke

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• Electability:
• Constituencies:
• Younger Voters
• White Voters
• Hispanic Voters
• Moderates
• Fundraising:
• No PAC money
• 4th most cash raised
• Political Labels:
• Progressive
• Polling:
• Usually 4th or 5th in national
• Experience:
• City Councilman (2005-2011)
• U.S. Representative (2013-2019)

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Are any of these your candidate? Why or why not?

Recap

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Thanks!

Any questions?

Email: khopkins19@scienceleadership.org

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Complete this survey:

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