Generalist vs Specialist Species

Question 1

delegate

Answer 1

people who represent voters and officially elected candidate at the national convention

Question 2

party convention

Answer 2

officially nominate the party’s presidential candidate;; formally adopt a party platform

Question 3

electoral college

Answer 3

the people who officially elect the president

Question 4

a states number of electoral votes

Answer 4

of Representatives + senators

Question 5

winner-take-all

Answer 5

48 states give all their electoral votes to the candidate who receives the most votes in their state

Question 6

swing/battleground states

Answer 6

candidates focus on competitive states, ideally with a higher number of electoral votes
politicians focus on these states

Question 7

why the electoral college?

Answer 7

result of negotiation and compromise
framers of democracy didn’t trust the people
example of elite democracy

Question 8

Pro-Electoral college

Answer 8

states retain a role in selecting the president
ensures geographic balance
guards against the mob rule

Question 9

Ant-electoral college

Answer 9

Places too much emphasis on swing states
undemocratic because it ignores the popular vote
discourages third-parties

Question 10

removing the electoral college would required

Answer 10

a constitutional amendment

Question 11

incumbency advantage

Answer 11

sitting president more likely to defeat challenger
campaign experience
network of donors
already seems “presidential”
bully pulpit (communicating with the American people through the media coverage of presidential events

Question 13

Voter turnout is higher when

Answer 13

In election years

Question 14

Midpoint elections occur at the midpoint of

Answer 14

the presidents term

Question 15

Midterms have

Answer 15

lower voter turnout
More partisan/ideological voters

Question 16

president’s party usually

Answer 16

loses seats in the midterms

Question 17

Incumbency advantage

Answer 17

The incumbent wins re election over 90% of the time
incumbency advantage in Congressional elections
good indicator of who wins congressional elections senates as well but congressional is stronger

Question 18

casework

Answer 18

constituent (people in their hometown) service and assistance

Question 19

why vote for the incumbent

Answer 19

name recognition and media visibility
franking privilege (congressman can send mail for free)
More PAC contributions
gerrymandered districts

Question 20

Political consultants

Answer 20

Professionals hired by campaigns to develop media strategy, fundraising, research, and polling
rising campaign costs and intensive fundraising efforts

Question 21

1Invisible primary

Answer 21

2 fully years before the election potential candidates start making speeches, fundraising, and hiring a staff

Question 22

Announce candidacy

Answer 22

6 months to a year before the first primary candidates begin announcing their candidacy and participate in primary debates

Question 23

Primary Debates and Elections

Answer 23

typically from January to June of the election year until the candidate wins the nomination and is officially chosen as the party’s candidate at the party convention in August

Question 24

General Election

Answer 24

Tons of travel and advertising takes place
the election is on the Tuesday after the first Monday on November

Question 26

Hard Money

Answer 26

Contributions made directly to a candidate
strictly regulated

Question 27

Soft Money

Answer 27

Contributed to political parties for party-building purposes ‘unlimited and restricted

Question 28

independent expenditures

Answer 28

Money spend independently of a candidate to support a candidate

Question 29

Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act BCRA (2002)

Answer 29

Banned soft money
attempted to reduce attack ads with “stand by your ad” provision
banned independent corporate-sponsored ads in the days before an election
banned direct contributions to candidates from corporations and unions

Question 30

Citizens United v F.E.C

Answer 30

Political spending by corporations and labor unions is form of protected speech under the first amendment
struck down soft money ban
and ban on timing of independent political ads

Question 31

Citizens United v F.E.C (2010)

Answer 31

Upheld “Stand by your ad” and Ban on Direct Corporate Contributions