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Exam 3 Study Guide

Terms in this set (64)

What is the key feature of a nomination process?
-when a party candidate chooses their candidate
-intra-party competition
What is the key feature of a general election process? Why does the general election process undermine the success of third party candidates?
-how you get the job; when the nominees face-off each other
-they can't get a plurality of the vote; rarely happens
What are the major methods used to select delegates to attend the national party conventions? Which method is used by more states?
Primaries and caucuses; most states hold primaries
What are major differences between these delegate selection methods?
binding primaries (most states hold this)
-divided proportionally, those who reach majority must be voted for preference primaries
-choose candidate among the list from the ballot per party
Caucus
-series of meetings
-Iowa known for caucus-face-to-face (except in election cycle)
-ward/precinct (lower level where it starts) the country, district, state
-choose new delegates at every level to move to next level
-can sit and listen, then decide who to support during caucus, this is much unlike primary votes
downside: if you don't have the numbers, go home
Which state holds the primary? The first caucus? Why are these states so important?
New Hampshire; Iowa; they are the 1st to begin the presidential selection process
In addition to population, how do the political parties award delegates to each state?
parties can give bonus delegates
-republicans: based on electoral votes, and give bonus for track record of support for republican party
-democrats: based on total number of votes cast with a person who has been loyal to their party
What are some of the differences between the Republicans and Democrats in their allocation and selection of party delegates? (e.g., winner take all vs. proportional)
Republicans: start out with proportional after the middle of march, they get to decide between winner take all or proportional
Democrats: no inconsistency, through entire nomination process; rely on proportional system; doesn't matter if its a caucus or primary
How are the party activists (convention delegates) different from the typical party members?
they are more ideologically oriented than fellow party members
-if your a democrat, you are more liberal than average
-if your a republican, your more conservative than average
What are the key features of matching funds@ in the presidential nomination contest? What funds are matched?
-delegates are appointed on a proportional scheme
-individuals have to make a decision to accept funds
-at least national candidate has to get $5000 per 20 states in small contributions
-small contributions of $250 or less are matched
What is front-loading in the primary process?
Having more primaries early in the process
-first: selecting more delegates earlier in the process-process begins in New Hampshire
-"super Tuesday" more delegates than any other are chosen. this is when states have their primaries.
-holding contests earlier and getting more delegates to get selected faster
-2nd: parties attempts to diversify the nature of the states who try to select delegates earlier (SC and Nevada: moved early because of large Hispanic population)
What is meant by the "Invisible Primary" in presidential politics?
The period before any votes are cast when candidates compete to win early support from the elite of the party and to create a positive first impression of their leadership skills.
-candidates jockey for position
-candidates must: line up party support, obtain financial support, gain credibility with journalists in the new media
-after the midterm election (this begins) in November 2022, the 2 year period before presidential election occurs
What is the "King Caucus" presidential nominating system? What were the major problems with this nominating approach?
-original method to select party nominees
-party members in legislation-problems: violates the separation of powers, geographic representation
-"king caucus" eliminated
-replaced by national party convention
-allowed the party to select one nominee
-did not violate the separation of powers-represented all areas
What is the goal of those running for the presidential nomination? How does an individual become the official nominee of their party?
to win the majority of delegates
-when national party convention meets and casts votes for them
What are the various primary election types? How do they shape voting?
-closed enforced-closed unenforced (modified closed
- if you are a party official for republican you cant vote democratic)
-open primary: you can walk in and pick whichever party you want (all the party votes not mixed)
-blanket/wide
-open primary
-runoff primary: AR has this. only seven states. whoever gets party label, makes sure they have majority
What candidates can receive public money for their electoral pursuits? What determines whether candidates' will obtain public funding of their general election campaign?
A term used to describe the fact that U.S. campaigns are very expensive and candidates must spend a great amount of time raising funds in order to compete successfully.
-only candidates for president: individuals running for their party
-only public money
-involved campaign
-demonstrating that you are more than a "one-state" candidate
--whether they decide to accept it or not
How does a citizen's vote relate to the Electoral College? How many votes does a nominee need to win the presidency?
-citizens are voting for electors; whichever states get majority of vote, that entire slate wins for your state
-270 votes
-Nebraska and Maine is not winner-take-all principle
Do U.S. political parties control their party label? Explain.
no.
When do campaign expenditure limits apply to potential party nominees efforts? Why did expenditure not apply to Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump in the 2016 campaign? To Joe Biden and Donald Trump in the 2020 campaign?
-If the candidate accepts the money
-If they would accept it, only limited amount of expenditure
-All of those candidates chose to fund the campaign through other avenues
What is a Political Action Committee (PAC)? What role do they play in campaign politics? Who receives most PAC contributions? What is the best predictor of federal election electoral success? Why is this element so important?
-electoral arm of interest group
-can give candidate a maximum of $5000
-this is the way an interest group can finance
-an incumbent
-because it tends to influence campaign contributions
What is a Super PAC? What role do they play in campaign politics? What is the importance of Citizens= United vs. FEC case concerning Super PACs?
raising money independent of electoral campaign, engaged in independent expenditures
-As long as a Super PAC doe not coordinate with a campaign, they can spend however much they want
-Citizens United and FEC say they can exist because it's labeled as freedom of speech in the first amendment
Pork barreling
the use of government funds for projects designed to please voters or legislators and win votes.
Impeachment Answer: H or S initiates the impeachment process
House
Impeachment Answer: H or S involves a vote requiring a two-thirds majority
Senate
Impeachment Answer: H or S charges an individual with "Treason, Bribery, or other high Crimes and Misdemeanors"
House
Impeachment Answer: H or S convicts or acquits the individual charged
House
Impeachment Answer: H or S involves a vote requiring a simple majority
House
What is meant by political culture? How does political culture differ from public opinion? How does it differ from political socialization?
core values in a political system-they may change
- but slowly and gradually overtime
-contrasted with public opinion that changes hour by hour
- Political culture is what you learn and socialization is the way you learn
Why is socialization such an important issue for most governments? What is socialization?
How we learn political beliefs
- in the government system, each new generation has to buy into the core values or it will fall apart
-Examples: Louisville- how do you pronounce it?
-language is socialization
-every system does this
-transmission of political values and norms from one generation to the next
-political system survival
What factors impact participation in the U.S. political process? Which factors seem to be more influential in predicting participation?
Education
-high school grads vote more frequently than those who don't finish high school
-the more education you have, the more likely you are to vote
Income (socioeconomic status)
-the more income, the more likely you are to participate
-the best single predictor of voting is SES
-Participation paradox: those individuals that need government help the most, participate the least (vice versa)
Race
Gender
-gender gap: tendency for females to vote for democrats if they are head of the household
Age
-people 25 and younger less likely
Irrational theories of voting behavior
-Group theory: you vote based upon the group you belong to; identify with group
-Psychological theory: the way you vote is based upon your attachment to a political party; if not party ID, it's your impression of the candidates
Rational theories of voting behavior
-decision making theory: people look at candidates, whichever candidate will benefit them the most. Cost or benefits.
-issue oriented theory: you vote for candidate most like you on the issues that are important to you
Overview theories of voting behavior
-either be looking forward or backward
-perspective voting: voting on someone with the future in mind; what you see in the future
-retrospective voting: voting based on track record, someone who is dissatisfied with Trump, they will vote for Biden
What is meant by apportionment? How has legally mandated reapportionment impacted this process?
Apportionment of house seats
-435 seats
-based on population after the census
-changes in population
- Malapportionment: is a constitutional violation
baker v. carr
Congressional districts
-single-member plurality elections
-only person representing a geographic area
-senate only has 2 seats for each state
What is gerrymandering? When and why does it take place?
trying to change lines to reduce votes of opposing party
-districts are still the same size
-After each census you redraw the lines with the same amount of people
What are the major leadership positions in the U.S. House of Representatives? Who is the most important leader? What tasks are performed by the party leaders?
Speaker of the house
-second most powerful position behind the president
-control calendar, length of debate
-as long as the speaker can hold their people together, they can get stuff done
Majority leader
Minority leader
Whips
-assist party leadership
-try to whip the leaders into line
What does the majority leader of the house do?
assists the speakers develops the party strategy, reaches out to folks in the minority party and tries to draw them in.
What does the minority leader of the house do?
~Develops minority position
~Develops criticisms of majority bills
~Leads minority debate
~Negotiate with the majority party
~Direct minority caucus on the floor
What does the minority leader of the Senate do ?
The minority party has more power in the Senate compared to the House due to Senate chamber rules that are less restrictive of members (allowing them greater access to the floor, the ability for members to place holds and filibuster, and so on). together in the senate the minority and majority leader control the Senate's calendar, or agenda for legislation.
What are the major ceremonial and leadership positions in the U.S. Senate? Who is the most important leader? What tasks are performed by the ceremonial and party leaders?
*President of the senate
-the vice president
-can break tie votes
-if senate passes legislation and it's tied
*President Pro tempore
-the most senior member of the majority party
-you're fourth in line to be president
*majority leader
-most important leader in the senate
-can't control as well as speaker of the house
-senate has principle of unlimited debate
*minority leader
*Whips
-in the senate, the whip position may not be important
-for the house, the whip is always important
Which of the following are ways in which the operation of the House differs from the operation of the Senate?
-House members are more likely to specialize in specific legislative fields.
-House members face elections so frequently, they are more focused on immediate results for their constituencies.
-House members are more likely to specialize in specific legislative fields.
- Constituency for the House is local while the Senate is statewide
-The Senate members serve for longer terms, are more likely to accept and develop new ideas.
-House uses districts to elect making them more responsive to smaller issues.
Delegate
acting on the express preferences of her constituents
Trustee
empowered elect to make the decisions she thinks best.
What are the major bipartisan committees in Congress? What are the distinctive features of these committees?
Standing committees, select, joint, and conference
Standing committee
-permanent committees
-exist from legislative session to legislative session
-chamber exclusive
Select committee
-almost always chamber exclusive
-not permanent; called for a particular purpose, (usually investigative) once performed, they go away
Joint committee
-permanent; not chamber exclusive
-joint effort with members of house and senate
Conference committee
-not permanent; members of both house and senate
-called for a specific purpose but always for the same purpose
-can only occur when bill passes in both chambers but not exactly in the same way
Multiple Referrals
The act of sending a proposed piece of legislation to more than one committee in the same chamber for consideration. used more often in the house than the senate.
What is the difference between joint and sequential referrals ?
joint is when a referral is sent to multiple committees at the same time. sequential is when its sent one committees and if congress doesn't like it it is sent to another committee
open bill
rules committee decides that the bill can be amended by anyone after mark-up
closed bill
rules committee decides that no further amendments can be made to the bill after mark-up
What are the major powers of Congress? How have they changed over time?
-taxation/appropriation
-war power
-regulation of commerce
-appointments and treaties
-lawmaking
-authorization of courts
What are the types of Congressional oversight? What factors impact the type of oversight provided by Congress?
Active (police patrol): a congressional committee is looking at an overview of something; routine review
Reactive (fire alarm): when it's called to attention (this method is preferred)
Redistricting, census, Appointment
Census, Appointment, Redistricting
What are the basic representational roles that can be utilized by Congressional members? Which role do you think is the most appropriate? Why?
-delegate: says I'm here for the wishes of my constituents; chooses the citizens will rather than their own
-trustee: uses their own best judgment; does not listen to citizens if it goes against their moral code
-politico: behave like delegate when given clear signals but trustee if there's no signals of mixed views
What is the difference between demographic and substantive representation?
Demographic: (descriptive) you have to be like me or you can't understand my situation to make these decisions
Substantive: (policy) historically viewed by US; I don't have to be a part of a group to work for the interests of that group
How is a member selected to be the Chair of a Congressional standing committee? How has this process changed over the last thirty years?
-the senior member of the majority party
-long service
-it is no longer dolled out automatically to most senior member; second most member can get it now
-the senior member has to get along with other members or they can be removed
-republicans have term limited their chairs
How does congress have the power of taxation/appropriation?
-no money can be spent unless congress approves it
-has to start in the house of representatives
-16th amendment: most important, permits a direct tax on income
-federal income tax has continued to grow
How does congress have the power of declaring war?
-only congress can declare war
-the last declared war was WWII
-congress did pass the war powers act, tried to limit executives power to commit troops without congressional approval
How does congress have the power to regulate commerce?
-most important powers
-only congress has power to regulate interstate commerce
-Gibbons vs. Ogden 1824 (movement of people are commerce)
-Wickard vs. Filburn 1942
How does congress have the power to make appointments and treaties?
-congress has to sign off
-approved by senate
-impeachment/removal
How does congress have to power to make laws?
-enumerated powers
-implied powers (muculloh vs. maryland)
How can congress authorize courts?
-one supreme court
-judiciary act of 1789: district courts
closed enforced primary
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