A constellation of independent groups small and large surround each of the parties, seeking to push them in one direction or another. Some are organized by constituency, and some focus on electing candidates or training and building infrastructure or generating ideas. There is natural overlap with myriad groups that have an ideological rather than a partisan focus; a few of the more prominent such groups are shown below. Another step removed (not shown below) are the many interest groups that tend to align with one or the other of the parties.
| In Touch | . |
| Ideology | . |
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Republican National Conservative Caucus "...founded by several members of the Republican National Committee in order to promote conservative Republican principles, policies, and politics, and to educate the public about their importance to liberty." National Federation of Republican Assemblies "a
grassroots movement to take back
the Republican Party for the vast and disenfranchised majority of its
members: Reagan conservatives..." (formed 1997). to promote moderate Republican principles (founded 1962). Republican Main Street
Partnership a voice for centrist Republicans (founded 1998). represents the G.O.P's libertarian tradition. |
the political action arm of the New
Democrat movement..."a progressive think tank and advocacy
organization" President and Founder - Simon Rosenberg New Democrats. Founder and CEO - Al
From; President - Bruce Reed (founded 1985). Progressive Democrats of America "working inside the Democratic Party to
return it to its
roots as the party that represents the workers and the less fortunate,
and...building coalitions outside the Democratic Party on shared
issues."
(founded 2004). Americans for Democratic Action independent liberal political organization (founded 1947). |
| Constituencies | . |
|
voice of Jewish Republicans. organization of Republicans who support fairness, freedom, and equality for gay and lesbian Americans. raises funds for Republican pro-choice women candidates. Republican National Coalition for Life works to ensure adoption of the pro-life plank in the Republican platform. seeks to remove the anti-choice plank in the Republican platform. Republican Majority for Choice (formerly Republican Pro-Choice Coalition) seeks to get abortion out of politics. (formerly Republicans for Environmental Protection) founded in 1995, aims to restore the environmental conscience of the GOP. a national, youth-led organization challenging teens to become involved in their local, state, and national political proceses." working to develop a new generation of pro-choice, pro-environment, fiscally conservative Republican leaders to build a long-term Republican majority for the 21st Century. dedicated to promoting the principles of the Republican Party, building Republican support among the 45-million-strong Irish-American community, strengthening relations between Ireland and the United States, and supporting the cause of justice and peace in Northern Ireland. Indian American Republican Council the only national organization in America representing Indian American Republicans National
Organization
of
Republican
Armenians [old site from 2004] |
National Jewish Democratic Council promoting Jewish values in the Democratic Party. federation which links clubs of gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender Democrats. electing pro-choice Democratic women candidates. elect pro-life Democrats to office and support pro-life Democrats. dedicated to electing Native American men and women to office across America. a Political Action Committee providing support to Democratic candidates who promote peace, justice and prosperity in Ireland. a Democratic political action committee whose goal is to increase the voice of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders on every level of local, state and federal government in America. Armenian American Democratic Leadership Council [old site from 2005] |
| Republican / Conservative | Democratic / Progressive / Liberal |
|
Republican training and education |
Grassroots Action Institute and Network--training, recruitment, and network |
|
"a new kind of non-profit political organization dedicated to renewing America’s commitment to individual liberty, limited government, free enterprise and a strong national defense—through informed and effective political action by citizens like you." |
National Committee for an Effective Congress supports progressive candidates |
|
National Association of Republican Campaign Professionals |
Section 527 organization focused on funding state party operations |
|
"training tomorrow's conservative leaders" |
The online clearinghouse for Democratic action. |
|
"an investment partnership of business and philanthropic leaders committed to achieving a hopeful and healthy democracy that improves our lives and those of the next generation." |
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face-to-face canvassing and fundraising |
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"providing essential conferences, seminars, educational materials, internships, and speakers to young people across the country" |
(formerly The Atlas Project) "provides clients with customized, in-depth strategic roadmaps to victory in 15 battleground states.... In addition, the Atlas Project has been tasked with building the institutional memory of the Democratic Party. The Atlas Project has collected, catalogued, and analyzed campaign plans, budgets, polls and other key documents gathered from political operatives and institutions around the country." |
|
"To help progressive organizations realize measurable increases in civic participation and electoraliv success by building and operating a robust national voter database of every voting-age American; by offering tools and expertise that allow clients to use that data to improve fundraising, organizing and communications; and by updating and refining that data on a continuous basis." |
|
elect candidates who support the Reagan vision of limited government and lower taxes. |
electing progressives at the federal and state levels |
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21st Century Democrats (formerly Democrats 2000) recruiting and electing progressive candidates |
|
"...makes survey and focus group results publicly available. We promote conservative free market principles such as lower taxes and economic growth, and support strong national defense policies." |
"provides free public opinion research and strategic advice to those dedicated to a more responsive Congress and Presidency." |
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Center for for American Progress a think tank dedicated to improving the lives of Americans through ideas and action. |
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‘action tank’ that will create, encourage and promote center-right policies based on the principles of freedom, limited government, American exceptionalism, and strong national security. |
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Copyright © 2010, 2011, 2012 Eric M. Appleman/Democracy
in
Action.
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