Tabakian Pols 1 Fall/Spring 2014

1. Dr. Tabakian’s Political Science 1
US Government – Spring/Fall 2014
Week #7

2. COURSE LECTURE TOPICS
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Interest Groups Protecting Elite Values
Lobbyists And The Power They Possess
Political Action Committees (PACs)
Public Interest Groups
Single Interest Groups
• Pro-Life Versus Pro-Choice
• Presidential Power
• Campaign Rhetoric

3. 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.

4. 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?

5. ANTHRAX THE INVISIBLE VICTIM

6. 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.

7. POLITICAL MESSAGE EXAMPLE

8. POLITICAL MESSAGE EXAMPLE

9. THE PRESIDENCY
The Power of a President lies in his ability to provide means
for chosen ends.
1. He facilitates elite interaction with those who seek consensus
with each other.
2. He governs only within the boundaries of elite consensus.
Presidential power is symbolic, attracting mass attention and
emotion.
Presidential power is multiplied when he uses formal powers.
1. Commander in Chief (war-making) powers can commit the
nation to war.
2. Vietnam showed congressional support for commitment.
3. Presidential non-compliance with the War Powers Act showed
refusal to follow congressional consent requirements.

10. 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. These individuals
tend to favor ideological based voting
rather than security or economic
issues of concern. The majority of
American voters cast votes according
to security or economic concerns.
Enjoy this video detailing the Pro-Life
Movement.

11. SINGLE INTEREST GROUPS
PRO-LIFE MOVEMENT

12. 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. These individuals
tend to favor ideological based voting
rather than security or economic
issues of concern. The majority of
American voters cast votes according
to security or economic concerns.
Enjoy this video detailing the ProChoice Movement.

13. SINGLE INTEREST GROUPS
PRO-CHOICE MOVEMENT

14. 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 this presentation of President
Ronald Reagan’s famous speech, “Tear
Down This Wall” given at the Berlin Wall
on June 12, 1987. The second are spoof
made by President Bill Clinton and his
team before leaving the presidency. Do
both pull on your emotional heartstrings?

15. TEAR DOWN THIS WALL

16. CLINTON SPOOF

17. 911 – RALLY AROUND THE FLAG
Does the United States still
maintain the degree of
heartfelt
international
support following 911?

18. GLOBAL TRIBUTE

19. 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.

20. 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. Perhaps the national economy rose
to prominence in the eyes of the electorate.
Another point deserving our attention is
President H. Bush’s reversal against his “No
New Taxes Pledge” made to key supporters
during the 1988 presidential election.

21. 1000 POINTS OF LIGHT