PARTIES - why do US parties still matter?

Question 1

PARTIES STILL MATTER

Monopoly over elected positions at all levels

Answer 1

Following the 2018 mid-term elections, there remained no independent or 3rd party members of the House.

There were only two nominally independent senators, Sanders and Angus King.

This illustrates how all elected officials feel the need to associate with one party or the other to express their broader political views. This behaves as a badge for voters.

Question 2

PARTIES STILL MATTER

Big-tent politics

Answer 2

Candidates and legislators often self-identify.

Parties serve as umbrellas for many distinct communities and groups.

USA Parties are big-tent groups.

Question 3

PARTIES STILL MATTER

Voting patterns

Answer 3

Long-term trend = growth in party unity votes.

Most of the loyal Democrats in the 2018 party unity scores (how each party voted together) - included some of the main contenders for the 2020 presidential election.

E.g., Elizabeth Warren and Kamala Harris both had scores of 99%.

Question 4

PARTIES STILL MATTER

National Party Organisations

Answer 4

Central party organisations are crucial for helping candidates

In the run-up to the 2018 mid-terms, the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee had a strong research team of 25 whose job it was to look at the internet and search for dirt on Republicans in specific districts.

They discovered secret first marriages and embarrassing lawsuits - these were then compiled into books which fuelled negative campaigning.