Chapter 4 - Political Parties in Texas

political party

a group of people who share common goals and attempt to control government by winning elections

precinct

a political subdivision though which elections are carried out

A bill is required to have __________ to be brought to the floor of the Texas senate.

a three-fifths vote

If the Democratic Party wants to win in Texas now, which of the following should it do?

appeal to suburban white voters on issues like education

Jeff is completing his Master's degree in political science in Texas. He wants to become actively engaged in politics as soon as he graduates. Which of the following is the easiest way for Jeff to get involved in the political party of his choice?

attend a precinct convention

The easiest way for most people to get involved within a political party is by __________.

attending a precinct convention

Which of the following groups in Texas is more likely to vote Republican than Democrat?

business owners

ideological

characterizing a group or party built around a unifying set of principles

When a party comprises a number of different subgroups that band together for the main purpose of winning elections, the party is considered to have a(n) __________ structure.

coalitional

faction

division group within a political party

Divisions within a political party are known as __________.

factions

conventions

formal party meetings to select leadership and delegates and to create a platform.

A party that has a(n) __________ structure is one that is united by a single principle or a narrowly defined set of principles to which all members are expected to adhere.

ideological

The statement of principles passed by a political party's convention is known as a __________.

platform

The Tea Party is a(n) __________.

political movement within the Republican Party

Which of the following represents the order in which conventions are held in Texas?

precinct, county or senatorial district, state

down-ballot races

statewide races below the level of president, U.S. senator, or governor

precinct convention

the basic or grassroots level at which delegates are selected to the county party convention

platform

the statement of principles passed by a political party's convention

What is the main goal of both the Republican Party and the Democratic Party in Texas?

to win elections

The 105 years of Democratic control of the governor's office in Texas ended with the __________.

victory of Bill Clements in 1978

After Reconstruction, the Republican Party in Texas survived primarily because of support from radicals and __________

African Americans

coalition

Alliances consisting of a variety of individuals and groups in support of a particular candidate for elected office

How are ideological parties different from coalitional parties?

An ideological party's main goal is fidelity to principle, while a coalitional party's main goal is winning elections.

Who was the first Republican governor of Texas since Reconstruction?

Bill Clements

Which statement comparing and contrasting the structures of the Democratic and Republican parties in Texas is accurate?

Both parties have similar internal structures that include conventions and elected offices.

For more than a century, Texas was dominated by the __________.

Democrats

There was still political competition in Texas after Reconstruction because __________.

Democrats fought other Democrats for political dominance

After the 2012 election, Democrats controlled the U.S. Senate, and Republicans controlled the U.S. House of Representatives. What did this mean from a power perspective?

Every chair of every Senate committee was a Democrat, and every chair of every House committee was a Republican.

Which of the following statements is true of political parties and interest groups?

Interest groups are usually smaller than political parties.

__________ is considered the father of the modern Republican Party in Texas because his victory in the 1961 senate race laid the foundation for the growth of the Republican Party.

John Tower

Which of the following is currently the most prominent ideological political party in Texas?

Libertarian Party

state senatorial district convention

Midlevel party meeting between precinct and state; same level as county convention

Why is it critical for the Democratic Party in Texas to get more voters to the polls?

Minority voters turn out at a lower rate than white voters.

How do interest groups and political parties differ?

Political parties nominate and formally run candidates for public office, while interest groups do not.

Which of the following is true of bipartisanship in Texas politics?

Republican leaders have appointed a number of Democratic committee chairs.

Why was Texas still not able to be considered a two-party state in 1986?

Republicans were still unable to win statewide down-ballot races.

Which of the following demographic facts is true and may help the Democratic Party in Texas?

The Latino population will eventually be the majority population in Texas.

Which of the following indicates that partisanship still exists in the Texas legislature?

The voter identification bill and recent redistricting map votes have been along party lines.

What challenge do Texas Democrats currently face?

They must reassert themselves in the Texas political arena, where Republicans control a majority in both the house and senate.

Which of the following statements accurately differentiates between county conventions and district conventions in Texas?

County conventions are held by rural counties; district conventions are held by urban counties.