Free Response Question #2

6 points

1. One important function of political parties is to raise money. Another function is to serve as an identity so that voters can come together under a title.
2. The majority party in the House of Representatives controls the debates that take place.
3. Direct primaries eliminate the need for candidates to appeal to their party to become elected. Candidate-centered campaigns allows the candidate to stand out more than the candidate’s party, therefore voters have become more attracted to a person’s specific views other than the party’s views. 
4. Party polarization has caused political parties to become more extreme in their views instead of becoming more moderate. Therefore most members in Congress vote within their own party and do not usually vote with the opposing party.