A constellation of independent groups small and large surround each of the parties, seeking to push them in one direction or another. Some have a narrow partisan focus while others are more broadly ideological. Some groups are organized by constituency, and some focus on electing candidates or training and building infrastructure or generating ideas. Another step removed (not shown below) are the many interest groups that tend to align with one or the other of the parties; examples include the National Rifle Association and Republicans or organized labor and the Democrats.
Ideology | . |
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" 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).
|
Constituency
Groups |
. |
voice of Jewish Republicans. organization of Republicans who support fairness, freedom, and equality for gay and lesbian Americans. Republican National Coalition for Life works to ensure adoption of the pro-life 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." dedicated to promoting the principles of the Republican Party, building Republican support among the 45-million-strong Irish-American community, supporting worthy Irish American candidates for election, strengthening relations between Ireland and the United States, and defending the cause of justice and peace in Ireland. for Indian-American Republicans to participate in the political process in the communities where we live, work, and raise our families. Republicans for Immigration Reform to provide
political support for Republican candidates that advance common-sense
solutions to address the nation’s broken immigration system. The GOP fares poorly in cities – but it
doesn’t have to... Republicans can win cities by learning about
the
problem, finding solutions, and implementing them. |
National Jewish Democratic Council promoting Jewish values in the Democratic
Party. 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. Democrats for Education Reform to encourage a more productive dialogue
within the Democratic Party on
the need to fundamentally reform American public education. DFER Watch
|
Republican and Conservative Infrastructure | Democratic and Progressive
Infrastructure |
Republican training and education |
Grassroots Action Institute and Network--training, recruitment, and network |
"training tomorrow's conservative leaders" |
The online clearinghouse for Democratic action. |
"a new
generation of Republican research
and
rapid response" |
"a progressive research and
communications organization committed to
holding Republicans accountable for their words and actions and helping
you ascertain when Republican candidates are pretending to be something
they’re not." |
"an umbrella organization harnessing the collective strength of conservative organizations fighting for Americans who are concerned with liberty, personal responsibility, traditional values, and strong national defense." |
"a permanent advocacy and campaign infrastructure that provides coordination, data and targeting services to progressive organizations" |
"providing essential conferences, seminars, educational materials, internships, and speakers to young people across the country" |
"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."
|
American Legislative Exchange Council "advance the fundamental principles of free-market enterprise, limited government, and federalism at the state level through a nonpartisan public-private partnership of America’s state legislators, members of the private sector and the general public." |
"Building the legislative wing of the progressive movement." (merger of PSN, CSI and ALICE). |
"founded after the 2004 election...to help build the institutional memory of the progressive movement. The Atlas Project’s mission is to arm the progressive community with historical elections data, sophisticated analysis and real time updates for all 50 states." |
|
i360 |
"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." |
Foundation for Accountability and Civic Trust a non-partisan government and political accountability organization formerd Feb. 2015, led by former U.S. Attorney Matthew G. Whitaker |
"a group established to hold candidates for office accountable for possible ethics and/or legal violations." |
|
face-to-face canvassing and fundraising |
elect candidates who support the Reagan vision of limited government and lower taxes. |
electing progressives at the federal and state levels |
|
recruiting and electing progressive candidates |
Think Tanks |
|
Heritage
Foundation |
Center for for American Progress "an independent nonpartisan educational institute dedicated to improving the lives of Americans through progressive ideas and action." |
"‘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." |
"promoting break-the-mold ideas aimed at economic growth, national security and modern, performance-based government." |
Polling |
|
"...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." |
Online |
|
"like minded conservative activists gather to support small government conservatives and meet face to face" |
"We amplify progressive voices by providing an online and in-person campus..." |
Additional Conservative Groups |
Additional Progressive Groups |
"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." |
"Organizing for Action is a nonprofit organization established to support President Obama in achieving enactment of the national agenda Americans voted for on Election Day 2012." |
Americans
for
Prosperity |
"a community of more than 8 million Americans from all walks of life who use innovative technology to lead, participate in, and win campaigns for progressive change." |
"recruits, educates, trains and mobilizes millions of volunteer activists to fight for less government, lower taxes, and more freedom." |
"We recruit and train progressive candidates to run for all levels of public office, and we mobilize citizen organizers to make a real difference on issues." |
Family Research Council's mission is to advance faith, family and freedom in public policy and the culture from a Christian worldview. |
Progressive
Change
Campaign
Committee "...fighting for bold progressive change." |
"to restore America's founding principles
of |
"a center for ideas and action that works to build an enduring majority for progressive change." |
appear
inactive... seeks to remove the anti-choice plank in the Republican platform. raises funds for Republican pro-choice women candidates. 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. |
federation which links clubs of gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender Democrats. New Democrats. Section 527 organization focused on funding state party operations
|