What is a political party?

Just from reading the farewell addresses and Federalist 10 and 51, a political party seems to be a group of people who stand behind the same basic views and ways of looking at situations. Some of these views may differ from time to time but the core of each party seems to hold together. Within these parties there are individuals who are capable of using these views and perspectives in order to create change or make sure the views are known within an argument or political decision.

Tom Delay said in his Farewell Address: "You show me a nation without partisanship, and I'll show you a tyranny. For all its faults, it is partisanship, based on core principals, that clarifies our debates, that prevents one party from straying too far from the mainstream, and that constantly refreshes our politics with new ideas and new leaders."

This quote is what, to me, seems to be a good basis for finding the definition of a political party. It talks about how two different, or many different parties come together with their dissenting views, in order to debate with one another to either make change or make the rest of the country aware of their perspective. By having multiple perspectives it makes it so one group does not take over and that even the unpopular ideas and beliefs are heard.