User talk:Mklally/sandbox

I realize that you're still working on this, so I won't comment too much. I will also concentrate my comments on an approach to the U.S. content, because it appears this is your focus, and it the area I know the most about.

Nonetheless, it strikes me that the list the people who fill these offices (which is in the extant article, so I understand why you have it here) is far less important than what the roles imply.

I might divide out the executive and legislative branch in your discussion.

For the executive branch: Drawing on Wildavsky's work, I would discuss the president's informal role as Chief of Party (which is not mentioned in the constitution, as parties are not in the Constitution) and how this position has grown over time and adapt with the president's individual preferences. For example, Reagan was very active in this role, while Bush 41 wasn't terribly focused on it. I would also consider what this means for the president-- influence over the national party committee chair, platform, speaking/being nominated at the convention, campaigning (if wanted!) for candidates, etc.

For the legislature, I am not sure how much you want to consider each of the individual roles' responsibilities. But, certainly, PPT of the Senate is partisan more in name than power, as a comparison to the Majority Leader clearly illustrates. (SOH used to be much less "party leader" than today, which is another can of worms, too.) I would emphasize how the power of these roles has evolved, particularly in times of increasing polarization, and the high levels of party loyalty that recent party leaders have been able to ensure (See party unity voting). Obviously, passing/obstructing legislative business is the main goal of leadership. But, so too is maintaining/getting the majority. And, I think not enough can be made of the many tools at the disposal of modern party leaders-- campaign funds from PACs, recruitment of challengers to the disloyal, committee assignments, access, etc.

The challenge here, I think, is not going to be lack of material, but covering the material concisely in a way that doesn't make the article on the whole seem unbalanced. But, it is undoubtedly an important and talked about issue, particularly for the upcoming election cycle. Ayanus (talk) 03:21, 22 July 2018 (UTC)