American Political Parties - Research Paper Example

American political parties There are only 2 key political parties in the US: the Democrats as well as the Republicans. The two parties have a duopoly implying that almost all the political power in the country is shared amongst them. The 2 parties have been winning every US presidential election from 1852, thus effectively controlling the US Congress to some point up and until 1856.The Republican Party being one of the 2 main present-day political parties in the US is also referred to as the “Grand Old Party” (GOP) by the media even though it is not as old as the Democratic Party.

Northern anti-slavery modernizers and activists founded the Republican Party in 1854 .The party became prominent in 1860 when Abraham Lincoln was elected into office and made use of the party’s machinery to facilitate winning of the American Civil War. Consequently, on the eve of the 3rd Party System that is from 1854 to 1896 the party controlled national politics as well as the 4th Party System (1896-1932).At present, GOP is in support of an American conservative policy, having more foundations in social conservatism, fiscal conservatism and economic liberalism (Noel,2014).

The Democratic Party on the other hand is another main political party in America and happens to be the oldest party worldwide. It has been fighting head on with the Republican Party since 1854.Starting 1912; the Democratic Party has effectively situated itself as the liberal party tackling domestic issues. Much of the Democratic Party’s agenda has been shaped by Franklin D. Roosevelt’s economic philosophy which has had a strong influence on contemporary American liberalism from 1932.The White House was under the control of New Deal coalition of Roosevelt, until 1968, the exception being only the period from 1953-1961which was under Eisenhower.

Generally, liberals have been center-left, supporting social progressivism, social justice, the welfare state and a mixed economy (Schaffner, 2012).The 2004 US presidential election was conducted onTuesday, 2nd November and incumbent President George W. Bush of Republican Party defeated his Democratic Party rival, John Kerry-a Massachusetts junior senator by then. Republican Party nominated Bush together with the then Vice President Dick Cheney. The dominant theme through the entire electioneering period was foreign policy especially the War on Terrorism spearheaded by Bush as well as the consequences of 2003 Iraq invasion.

The Republican presidential nominee was John McCain for 2008 presidential nominee after obtaining 1191 delegates required to clinch nomination for the party. On the evening of 4th March 2008, Mike Huckabee withdrew his candidature from the race. Ron Paul the last remaining competitor withdrew his candidature on 12th June 2008. Nevertheless, McCain was on November 2008 defeated by Democrat Barack Obama (Eric, 2008). Democratic Party on the other hand was the biggest party in 2004 election with registered voters totaling to 72 million which was approximately 42.

6 percent of one hundred and sixty nine million registered voters. The Democratic Party presidential primaries of 2004 saw the party voters select their presidential nominee for the 2004 presidential elections .Massachusetts Senator, John Kerry emerged as the front bearer after a sequence of caucuses and primary elections leading to the Democratic National convention that took place in Boston from 26th July to 29th July 2004.Kerry’s running mate was John Edwards and the two faced off with sitting Republicans President Bush and his Vice President Dick Cheney in the 2004 general election.

Bush won the election which primarily was fought on the premise of War on Terror (Gidlow, 2008).On the other hand, the 2008 Democratic presidential primaries saw Illinois Senator Barack Obama acquire the 2025 required delegates to clinch the Democratic nomination defeating Hillary Rodham Clinton. In addition, Obama was given the 2008 presidential nomination for Democratic Party in Denver at the 2008 Democratic Party National Convention. Eventually, Obama was elected as US President on 4th November with 53 percent of the entire vote garnering three hundred and sixty five electoral votes.

On 20th January 2009, Obama became the first US president of African American descent. The US President Barack Obama became the 15th Democratic to be elected in office. In addition, the Democratic Party has the majority seats in the US senate (Hershey, 2013).Works citedAppleman, Eric. The Race for the 2008 Republican Nomination:A Book for Editorial Cartoons. New York: Pelican Publishing Company, 2008.Brian, Schaffner. Politics,Parties,and Elections in America. New York: Wadsworth Cengage Learning, 2012.

Hans, Noel. Political Ideologies and Political Parties in America. New York: Cambridge University Press, 2014.Liette, Gidlow. Obama,Clinton,Palin:Making History in Election 2008. New York: University of Illinois Press, 2008.Marjorie, Hershey. Party Politics in America. New York: Pearson, 2013.