West Coast American Leadership Academy Political Science 1 – US Government

Fall 2015 / Spring 2016 – Power Point 6

Course Lecture Topics 1. Interest Groups Protecting Elite Values

2. Lobbyists And The Power They Possess

3. Political Action Committees (PACs)

4. Public Interest Groups

5. Single Interest Groups – Pro-Life Versus Pro-Choice

6. Presidential Power

7. Campaign Rhetoric

Defenders Of The Status Quo

Interest Groups Protect Established Elite Values.

1. Organized interests favor upper classes.

2. Organized interests favor conservative strategies of influence.

3. Single-issue groups are more representative of their members than traditional interest groups.

Lobbyists are Government Elites.

1. Lobbyists’ greatest success is in campaign contributions.

2. PACs originate one-third of all campaign contributions.

Political Message Example Political hit pieces do not only focus on candidates. They can also be utilized for all types of messages whether they are political in nature or not. This ad focuses on two issues: anthrax and liberal activists. Can you identify the targets of this ad?

Political Message Example The 911 terrorist attacks helped spark a swarm of political ads and cartoons that strived to influence public opinion. These cartoons focus on Osama Bin Laden and the fallacy of his agenda.

Political Message Example The 911 terrorist attacks helped spark a swarm of political ads and cartoons that strived to influence public opinion. These cartoons focus on Osama Bin Laden and the fallacy of his agenda.

The Presidency

The Power of a President lies in their ability to provide means for chosen ends.

1. Presidents facilitate elite interaction with those who seek consensus with each other.

2. Presidents only govern within the boundaries of elite consensus.

3. Presidential power is symbolic, attracting mass attention and emotion.

4. Presidential power is multiplied with formal powers.

5. Commander in Chief (war-making) powers can commit the nation to war.

Single Interest Groups Pro-Life Movement

Single Interest Groups (SIGs) are smaller, but more efficient than Public Interest Groups (PIGs). SIGs are effective, because their members are very committed to the cause. They commit themselves to a cause that is very ideological. The majority of American voters cast votes according to security or economic concerns. Enjoy this video detailing the Pro-Life Movement.

Single Interest Groups Pro-Choice Movement

Single Interest Groups (SIGs) are smaller, but more efficient than Public Interest Groups (PIGs). SIGs are effective, because their members are very committed to the cause. They commit themselves to a cause that is very ideological. The majority of American voters cast votes according to security or economic concerns. Enjoy this video detailing the Pro-Choice Movement.

Presidential Power Example The greatest power a US President has at their possession is the bully pulpit. Great care is necessary for a president’s words have great influence over the hearts and minds not only of American citizens, but people all over the world. Two clips are presented for review. The first is President Ronald Reagan’s famous speech, “Tear Down This Wall” given at the Berlin Wall on June 12, 1987. The second is a spoof made by President Bill Clinton and his team before leaving the presidency.

Presidential Power Example The greatest power a US President has at their possession is the bully pulpit. Great care is necessary for a president’s words have great influence over the hearts and minds not only of American citizens, but people all over the world. Two clips are presented for review. The first is President Ronald Reagan’s famous speech, “Tear Down This Wall” given at the Berlin Wall on June 12, 1987. The second is a spoof made by President Bill Clinton and his team before leaving the presidency.

911 – Rally Around The Flag An outpouring of Internet content flooded the marketplace following the 911 terrorist attacks. This compilation video contains photographs outside American embassies from all over the world.

Presidential Decisions

Informal or persuasion powers place the president in the center of decision making.

1. President George H. Bush’s Gulf War policy and victory gave leadership and reassurance to the masses.

2. President Bill Clinton’s economic policy gave personalized government and simplified political issues to the masses.

3. President George W. Bush’s war on terrorism and homeland security policies give the masses protection.

Campaign Rhetoric Campaign rhetoric is based on one or more of the following with the first two remaining the most prevalent:

1. National Security

2. National Economy

3. Social / Nuisances Issues

President George H. Bush’s Gulf War policy and victory may have ended America’s “Vietnam Syndrome”, yet he still lost to Bill Clinton. President Bush’s reversal against his “No New Taxes Pledge” made to key supporters during the 1988 presidential election significantly harmed his ability to drum up support for his reelection campaign.