Evaluate the view that interest groups are more effective than political parties at influencing the outcome of Presidential elections.

Question 1

Introduction - Themes

Answer 1

• Endorsements
• Influencing Voters
• Funding

Question 2

Introduction - Argument

Answer 2

The Republicans and the Democrats are a fundamental part of the American political system, and this applies to the Presidential elections - therefore, they are much more effective at influencing the outcome

Question 3

Interest Groups - Endorsements - Point

Answer 3

Interest groups have large memberships in the US, and they often endorse presidential candidates, this endorsement can influence their membership to vote for this candidate

Question 4

Interest Groups - Endorsements - Examples

Answer 4

• The National Right to Life endorse Donald Trump for reelection in 2019, this is the US’s largest pro-life organisation. In 2020, the Coalition to Stop Gun Violence, which included 47 interest groups, endorsed Joe Biden
• Trump was an incredibly polarising presidential candidate within the Republicans, he was not endorsed by all sections of the party

Question 5

Political Parties - Endorsements - Point

Answer 5

It is near impossible for candidates to gain any sort of traction without party endorsement. The two party nature of the US means that party endorsement is crutial to success

Question 6

Political Parties - Endorsements - Examples

Answer 6

• Andrew Yang was a 2020 presidential candidate for the Democrats; however, he has said for 2024 he will run as an independent - it is unlikely he will gain any sort of traction
• There has not been a president that was not a member of either the Republcians nor the Democrats since Millard Gilmore, the 13th President of the United States in 1850

Question 7

Interest Groups - Influencing Voters - Point

Answer 7

In the US, there are a number of causal and sectional pressure groups which will represent the opinions of their members - their endorsements will often illustrate who will suit their membership the best, this influencing them to vote for a candidate

Question 8

Interest Groups - Influencing Voters - Examples

Answer 8

• The Jewish Democratic Council of America endorsed Joe Biden in the 2020 presidential race, as a result Biden gained 77% of the Jewish vote
• The Christain Coalition of America was an interest group that supported Trump in 2020 as a result he won 75% of the White, Evangelical Christain vote

Question 9

Political Parties - Influencing Voters - Point

Answer 9

Political parties have an incredibly broad membership and a large demographic of voters; this means they are able to persuade far larger sections of society than interest groups

Question 10

Political Parites - Influencing Voters - Examples

Answer 10

• Pew Research found that 32% of Americans identify as Democrats - this percentage will encompass a wide variety of voters from the Blue Dog coalition on the right to the Congressional Progressive Caucus on the left
• Pew Research also found that 23% of Americans identify as Republicans - this percentage will similarly encompass a wide variety of voters from the Freedom Caucus on the far right and the Tuesday Group which is more moderate

Question 11

Interest Groups - Funding - Point

Answer 11

In the US funding is done on an individual basis - the money goes straight to the candidate, not the party. This means that interest groups can have significant influence on a presidential campaign

Question 12

Interest Groups - Funding - Examples

Answer 12

• It was the 2010 Supreme Court case of Citizens United v The FEC which meant that there were no limitations on the amount that could be donated to super PACs
• The National Rifle Association gave $30 million to the Trump campaign in 2020. Planned Parenthood gave $45 million to the Biden campaign

Question 13

Political Parties - Funding - Point

Answer 13

Funding from political parties is particularly important during the invisible primaries before the interest groups have donated, and more money does not guarantee a win

Question 14

Political Parties - Funding - Examples

Answer 14

• Biden has announced his bid for the presidency in 2024. His first television advert was paid for by the Democrat National Committee, as he had not yet gained enough funding from his super PAC
• Clinton spent $768 million on her 2016 presidential campaign, while Trump spent only $398 million. Yet Clinton lost the election