Discussion Board
Part 1: How Parties Choose Presidential Candidates
Political parties contribute enormously in the choices of presidential candidates through the nomination process. In the US, Democrats and Republicans are the two major parties, but in 2008, a third force, Unity08, emerged to compete with the two big parties. Each party selects its presidential, as well as vice-presidential candidates, through a national convention prior to Election Day (Janda, et al. 243). However, Unity08 founders opted to choose the party’s presidential candidate through an online convention (Green 115). According to Green, candidates can seek support for nomination through traditional means or reach their supporters online. In my opinion, Unity08 has no chance of clinching any high post in the coming elections since electorates are still accustomed to the two major political parties. It might take a long time before Unity08 manage to attain its goals. Although most Americans desire another choice of candidate outside the two core parties, online politics are still not mature enough to support a serious candidate.
Part 2: Lobbying
Lobbying is a necessary and supportive element of the governing process. It influences legislation positively by representing individuals whose views are often ignored by the congressional representatives. According to Hamilton, lobbyists are usually paid to push for appropriate federal decision-making, in addition to educate legislators on essential policies. When an essential vote is pending, lobbyists are always busy trying to convince legislators the implications of such vote. Political lobbying is permissible as long as the politicians declare their financiers (Newman and Woolgar 44). However, lobbying is wrong if people are using their wealth to buy political power. In most cases, lobbyists work behind the scene to undermine the trust that the public has on Congress. Some private interest groups may push for certain policies without letting the public understand their intentions. The challenge is for Congress to draft and implement lobby disclosure laws that would enable the public to gain information on the activities of lobbyists.
Works Cited
Green, Joshua. “Surprise Party.” The Atlantic Monthly (2007): 114-118.
Hamilton, Lee. “Lobbying Murkiness Undermines Our Trust in Congress.” The Center on Congress, August 17, 2005. Web. 4 August 2016.
Janda, Kenneth, Jeffrey M. Berry, Jerry Goldman, and Deborah J. Schildkraut. The Challenge of Democracy: American Government in Global Politics. Boston, MA: Wadsworth, 2014. Print.
Newman, Debbie, and Ben Woolgar. Pros and Cons: A Debater’s Handbook. New York, NY : Routledge, 2014. Print.