Evaluate the extent to which the Republicans are now a more divided Party than the Democrats

Question 1

Introduction - Themes

Answer 1

• Policies
• Legislation
• Leadership

Question 2

Introduction - Argument

Answer 2

Both parties are vast coalitions encompassing a wide range of political ideologies meaning they are both divided; however, the Republicans are more divided than the Democrats

Question 3

Democrats - Policies - Point

Answer 3

There are a number of policies which the Democrats have not been able to unite around and as a result have been incredibly difficult to pass

Question 4

Democrats - Policies - Examples

Answer 4

• The Student Debt Forgiveness Plan for less fortunate students had to be passed as an executive order as the right of the party would not support the bill
• Joe Manchin from the Blue Dog Faction of the party massively opposed the Build Back Better Bill which did not pass in its entirety

Question 5

Republicans - Policies - Point

Answer 5

Biden was still able to pass an environmental bill similar to Build Back Better in the form of the Inflation Reduction Act, white the Republicans seemingly cannot agree on anything

Question 6

Republicans - Policies - Examples

Answer 6

• Some of the moderate Republicans on the left of the party have supported Democrat Bills. 12 US Republicans voted for the Respect for Marriage Act, which federally protected same sex marriage
• Trump was unable to repeal the Affordable Care Act as he was unable to get the moderates on side

Question 7

Democrats - Legislation - Point

Answer 7

The Democrats have struggled white in power to pass legislation due to the divisions within the party. This makes them seem more divided

Question 8

Democrats - Legislation - Examples

Answer 8

• Obama wanted to pass his environmental Cap n Trade Bill; however, he was forced to abandon it after he could not get his party’s support
• Obama also struggled to pass any sort of gun control legislation after the Sandy Hoooke massacre which was the most fatal American school shooting in history

Question 9

Republicans - Legislation - Point

Answer 9

The Republicans also struggled massively with the passage of legislation while Trump was in power

Question 10

Republican - Legislation - Examples

Answer 10

• The only major piece of legilsation Trump was able to achieve was the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act in 2019 which reduced taxes. He failed in every other aspect of his legislative agenda
• After the Uvlade School Shooting in May 2022, Biden was able to pass the Bipartisan Gun Reform Act - this shows hwo the Democrats untied and the moderate Republicans divided the party further

Question 11

Democrats - Leadership - Point

Answer 11

Biden has announced his bid for the 2024 presidency, however, there has not been the most positive reaction from his party, illustrating the divisions

Question 12

Democrats - Leadership - Examples

Answer 12

• The Party membership has not united around Biden due to his low approval rating and age. CNN’s polling shows that just 38% of Democrats want Biden to be the party’s nominee in 2024
• Bernie Sanders has highlighted the party’s scepticism when it comes to his reelection, he said ‘Democrats reluctant about Biden 2024, but they see no other choice’

Question 13

Republicans - Leadership - Point

Answer 13

The Democrats have not had divisions to the extent of the Republicans as there is no opposition. The Republicans are divided by their two Presidential candidates

Question 14

Republicans - Leadership - Examples

Answer 14

• The Republicans are massively divided between Trump and DeSantis for the presidency, this has been exacerbated by the sexual assult charges on Trump
• The Democrats were able to elect their minority House leader unanimously, however, it took the Republicans 15 rounds of voting before Kevin McCarthy finally got anough to become speaker