AP-Gov: Chapter 9 Questions

Emory Roane
Ms. Sieg
AP GOv
December 16th 2007
Chapter 9: Campaigns and Elections = Democracy in Action

1. Examine the following "Rules of the game": Regularly scheduled elections, staggered terms, fixed terms, term limits, winner take all.
1. Regularly scheduled elections:
1. system that requires elections to be held at regular intervals, no matter what.
   
2. Staggered Terms:
1. Not all offices are up for election
   
3. Fixed Termsat the same time.
   
1. Length of Term in Office is specified, not indefinite.
   
4. Term Limits
1. Limits amount of terms someone can hold
   
5. Winner-Take-All
1. The system our electorates use to choose the candidate for general election. For example, in MD, we have 10 electorates. If 60 percent of Marylands choose democrat, and 40 percent choose Republican, all 10 vote democrat.
   
2. Explain the Electoral College System
1. We elect our president and vice president not by a national vote but by an indirect device known as the electoral college. Under this system, each state has as many electors as it has representatives and senators. These electorates then vote in elections based upon the beliefs of the rest of the state citizens.
   
3. Compare and contrast House and Senate elections
1. First, most congressional elections are not close
2. Competition is more likely when both candidates hav eadequat funding, which is not often the case in U.S. house elections.
3. Presidential popularity affects both House and Senate races during both presidential election tears and in midterm elections.
1. "Coattail effect"
4. List several advantages incumbents have over challengers.
1. Face recognition
2. Publics fear of change
3. Face Recognition
4. "More experience" excuse
   
5. Did I say Face Recognition??
5. Identify and describe, in great detail, the three stages of the formal process of running for the presidency.
1. Stage 1: The Nomination
1. 1. When to start campaigning
2. 2. Presidential Primaries: Choosing the candidate for each party's election
2. Stage 2: The National Party Convention
1. Once elected in the Primary election, the candidate appears at the National Party Convention to officially be selected as the running candidate.
2. Decide the Party Platform
3. The Vice Presidential Nominee: The candidate chooses his running mate
3. Stage 3: The General Election
1. Presidential Debates:
   
1. To counter the opposing argument,
   
2. acquire more media attention.
   
3. Inform people of their views, as well as try to convince people "on the fence"
2. Television and Radio Advertising
3. The Outcome
6. Outline the usual course of the presidential campaign after the close of the conventions.
1. (Is this question different then the above question?)
2. After the close of the conventions, the candidate chooses his vice presidential candidate, and begins participating in debates and touring the country, all the while buying advertising space on the radio, television, and more recently, the internet.
   
7. What are the most important factors in shaping campaign strategies for the presidentail general election?
1. Ironically, candidates for both parties have to appeal to both parties. A Democrat for example, has to appeal not only to liberals, democrats, and minorities, but as well as "fence sitters" and conservatives to win an ellection.
2. Iowa / New Hampshire early elections
3. "Winning in the primaries thus centers on a game of expectations, and candidates may intentially seek to lowr expectations so that "doing better than expected" will generate momentum for their campaign."
   
8. Explain the role played by debates between presidential candidates since 1960.
1. Presidential debates have come to be more of a joint appearance with opening and closing statements than a debate where the candidates interact with wach other.
   
1. Presdientail debates give candidates an opportunity to show how quickly and accurately they can respond to questions and outline their goals.
   
9. Outline the Federal Election Campaign Act (FECA) and describe the purpose of the Federal Election Commission
1. In 1971, Congress passed the Federal Election Campaign Act which limited amounts that Candidates for federal office could spend on advertising, required disclosure of the sources of campaign funds and how they are spent, and required political action committees to register with the government and report all major contributions and expenditures.
10. What was the decision the Supreme Court made in Buckley v. Valeo?
1. The Supreme Court upheld federal limits on campaign contributions.
11. Explain various proposed reforms on the presidential primaries, the Electoral College and campaign finance.
1. Reforming the Campaign Finance:
1. Among the unresolved issues are how preisential campaings will be financed, the role of Section 527 and 501(c) groups, the adequacy of disclosure, and the strength and viability of political parties.
2. Reforming the Nomination Process
1. The problem most people have with the Primary is that most people don't have a say in the choice of Presidential nominees, thanks to Iowa and New Hampshire. Possible solutions are to hold regional primaries, possibly at two or three week intervals across the country, or even to hold a national presidential primary.
3. Reforming the Electoral College
1. The most frequently proposed reform is direct popular election of the president. Presidents would be elected directly by the voters, just as governors are, and the electoral college and individual electors would be abolished.