A constellation of independent groups small and large surround each of the parties. To varying degrees these groups mix partisan and ideological goals. Some are clearly partisan, as indicated by their names, while others are explicitly nonpartisan but align closely with one or another of the parties. Whether their focus is on generating ideas, training, building infrastructure, pushing a party in one ideological direction or another, electing or opposing candidates, or concentrating on specific constituencies or issues, these groups form part of the ecosystem within which the parties operate. Another step removed from the parties (not shown below) are the many interest groups that tend to align with one or the other of them; examples include the National Rifle Association and Republicans or organized labor and the Democrats.
.Democratic
Ideology |
.Republican
Ideology |
"(1) to provide an explicitly and
unapologetically partisan platform for the
discussion of Democratic political strategy, (2)
to insist upon greater use of data and greater
reliance on empirical evidence in strategic
thinking and (3) to act as a neutral forum and
center of discussion for all sectors of the
Democratic community." |
National Federation of Republican Assemblies "a grassroots movement made up of
Reagan conservatives, who believe in small
government, lower taxes, free market capitalism, a
strong defense, the right to life, and a decent
America."
(founded 1997). |
the political action arm of the New Democrat movement..."a progressive think tank and advocacy organization" |
Republican
Main Street Partnership a voice for centrist Republicans (founded 1998). |
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). |
to promote moderate Republican principles (founded 1962). |
federal PAC "electing the next generation of progressive leaders" |
represents the G.O.P's libertarian tradition (founded 1991). |
"created in 1995 to represent the commonsense, moderate voice of the Democratic Party, appealing to mainstream American values." |
|
Jewish Democratic Council of America speaks on behalf of the combined interests of the Jewish community and Democrats. |
voice of Jewish Republicans. |
state and local LGBT Democratic groups across the U.S. |
organization of Republicans who support fairness, freedom, and equality for gay and lesbian Americans. |
High School Democrats of America the national organization for high school students involved in the Democratic Party. |
"a national, youth-led organization challenging teens to become involved in their local, state, and national political proceses." |
electing pro-choice Democratic women candidates. |
CLA was created as a direct response to the lack of a unified national strategy supporting Republicans running for local elected offices. |
elect pro-life Democrats to office and support pro-life Democrats. |
Republicans Against Marijuana Prohibition reforms marijuana laws by working within the GOP to educate and connect with lawmakers, party leadership, and grassroots activists. |
Democrats for Education Reform to encourage a more productive
dialogue within the Democratic Party on the need to
fundamentally reform American public education. |
Republicans
for Environmental Protection |
Catholic Democrats | |
.Progressive and Democratic Infrastructure |
.Conservative and
Republican Infrastructure |
Center for for American Progress "an independent nonpartisan educational institute dedicated to improving the lives of Americans through progressive ideas and action." |
"...formulate and promote conservative public policies based on the principles of free enterprise, limited government, individual freedom, traditional American values, and a strong national defense." |
"promoting break-the-mold ideas aimed at economic growth, national security and modern, performance-based government." |
"‘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." (founded 2010). |
America
First Policy Institute research institute that "exists to advance policies that put the American people first" (founded 2017). |
|
National
Democratic Training Committee "provide Democratic candidates, campaign staffers, and local leaders the tools, expert training, and resources needed to win." |
"training tomorrow's conservative leaders" |
"a team of organizers, strategists, and technologists dedicated to building transformative political power." |
"educating and training a new generation of Republican leaders" |
Democratic Data Exchange (DDx) Expanding the Democratic and progressive data ecosystem by facilitating a real time, blind exchange of voter contact data across the Left |
"the leading provider of voter and electoral data to Republican and conservative campaigns, parties, and advocacy organizations" |
State
Innovation Exchange (SIX) " a national resource and strategy center that collaborates with state legislators to improve people’s lives through transformative public policy." |
American
Legislative
Exchange Council (ALEC) "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." |
"a group established to hold candidates for office accountable for possible ethics and/or legal violations." |
Foundation for Accountability and Civic Trust "a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting accountability, ethics, and transparency in government and civic arenas." |
National
Democratic Redistricting Committee "ensure Democrats can fight back against gerrymandering and achieve fair maps during the redistricting process." |
National Republican
Redistricting Trust "Fighting for fair, constitutional redistricting for all Americans" |
"online fundraising platform for Democratic candidates up and down the ballot, progressive organizations, and nonprofits." |
"the official secure payments technology designed to help GOP candidates and committees win across the US." |
"a political convention for American progressive political activists." |
Conservative
Political Action Conference "he largest and most influential gathering of conservatives in the world. " |
"pushes back on conservative misinformation, hypocrisy, and smears." |
"MRC’s sole mission is to expose and neutralize the propaganda arm of the Left: the national news media." |
"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." |
"America Rising PAC's sole purpose is to hold Democrats accountable and expose any hidden hypocrisy. We use video tracking, research, and communication strategies to ensure they must account for every word and action." |
"founded in 1953 by former members of the Truman administration" |
The
National Republican Club of Capitol Hill also known as the Capitol Hill Club...dates to 1950 |
.More Progressive and Democratic Infrastructure | .More Conservative
and Republican Infrastructure |
"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." |
"providing essential conferences, seminars, educational materials, internships, and speakers to young people across the country" |
"a permanent advocacy and campaign infrastructure that provides coordination, data and targeting services to progressive organizations" |
"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." |
"To help progressive organizations realize measurable increases in civic participation and electoral 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." |
"group of conservatives and libertarians interested in the current state of the legal order" |
"Collaborating with progressive organizations and Democratic campaigns around the US to measure & increase the impact of their programs." |
|
"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." |
|
"a resource center and virtual meeting place for Democratic and Progressive leaders, talent, campaigns, looking for professional and volunteer opportunities." |
|
"A mainstay in Democratic polling efforts for over 20 years.We provide the information to help people reclaim their democratic government. |
|
"Defend the Blue: expand our House and Senate majorities and turn key state legislatures" /td> |
"We hold Congress accountable to conservative principles... a widely respected government relations team and dedicated grassroots activists that advance conservative policy. |
"elect progressive leaders, rebuild our democracy, and defeat the Trump agenda" |
"an organization of grassroots leaders who engage citizens in the name of limited government and free markets on the local, state, and federal levels." |
"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." |
"a 501(c)3 non-profit organization whose mission is to identify, educate, train, and organize students to promote freedom." |
Progressive Change Campaign Committee advocates for economic
populist policies..."the Elizabeth Warren wing of
American politics" |
"to restore America's founding principles of Fiscal Responsibility, Constitutionally Limited Government and Free Markets." |
"helping build a powerful progressive movement that informs, energizes, and empowers average Americans" |
"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." |
Americans for Democratic Action independent liberal political organization (founded 1947). |
"recruits, educates, trains and mobilizes millions of volunteer activists to fight for less government, lower taxes, and more freedom." |
"works with and for young people to promote progressive solutions to key political and social challenges." |
|
"Our Revolution has three intertwined goals: to revitalize American democracy, empower progressive leaders and elevate the political consciousness." |
|
"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." |
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see also: Wikipedia - Republican Party organizations | see also: Wikipedia - Democratic Party organizations |