POLS 206, Exam 2, TAMU, Prof Kent

Why do we see such a divide in politics?

For people to vote for you, you have to distinguish your values as different from the other party. Members of your own party also have to follow what your party is saying to keep things consistent. Growing partisanship is because people do not like when members of their own party vote or have values that align with the opposite party.

How has freedom been effected in recent years?

This is the 16th consecutive year that freedom has been decreasing across the world.

What is a brief history of the rise of media in America?

There was little media at the time of Americas founding, but around the time of FDR media politics began. The Vietnam War and Watergate ruined the trust of Americans in the media, and news coverage of politics is less favorable.

What is the correlation between political knowledge and media intake?

People who read newspapers are more likely to be informed than people who get their news from elsewhere.

What was the Federal Communications Commission?

It was created in 1934 to prevent media monopolies and required stations to serve public interests.

What is the difference between media ownership in the US compared to other countries?

US media is privately owned, yet many other countries have publicly owned media.

How does agenda setting work in the media?

Interest groups, parties, politicians, and agencies compete for attention in the media. Political activists depend on the media for coverage, such as when they conduct protests.

Why is name identification of a politician important?

People will not vote for a politician they have never heard of.

Why can it be difficult to put your name out to the public when running for office?

Advertising costs a lot of money, millions of dollars are needed to run a successful campaign.

What are the 4 criteria for a successful political commercial?

Emotion: something that appeals to emotions

Persuasion: a central issue that is presented strongly

Truth: support factual claims

Style: how well the ad is done, visual/audio/information

What are delegates and what is their role in American elections?

Delegates represent a group of people in political elections. They vote for a political nominee for the state.

What is the Invisible Primary?

When politicians gain the support of the public and distinguish themselves from other candidates before elections.

How do you vote in a caucus?

To vote in a caucus, you have to show up as they count the people in attendance

What are primaries?

Primaries are the first round of voting.

Evaluate the system of primaries and caucuses.

There is a disproportionate amount of attention to early primaries/caucuses, the media is given too much power, and participation is low and not representative.

What goes into a successful campaign?

A campaign manager, a fundraiser, media consultants, a campaign staff, a press secretary, a pollster, a website, and large amounts of funding are needed to win.

What is the purpose of a campaign?

To reinforce voter preferences and activate voters. It is rare they convert voters.

What are the four voting conditions for voters on candidates?

Clear sense of political preference

Know where candidates stand on issues

See differences between candidates on issues

Vote for candidates closest to one's own preference

Describe the electoral college

The president is elected by electors chosen by state parties, and it' a winner take all system in 48 states that usually reflects popular majority. Two effects of the system are there's overrepresentation of less populated states and there's more focus on battleground states

How many people are in the HoR and Senate?

435 representatives, 100 senators

Why are there less women in congress?

Less women run, maybe due to childcare responsibilities or risk aversion. There is also bias: women must be more qualified than men to get equal consideration from voters

Who is most likely to win in Congressional Elections?

Incumbents are much more likely to retain their seat in Congress than other people who challenge them are.

What is the most common occurrence of open seats in Congress?

It is common that there will be a party turnover when there is an open seat

What is bicameralism?

Bills must go through two houses of government to be passed.

What are Whips?

an office that makes sure your party does not deviate from the desired leadership

What are the four types of committees in Congress?

Standing committees, joint committees, conference committees, and select committees

How does a bill become a law?

1. Must pass both house and senate

2. Bill introduced to house, is referred to committee

3. Bill can be changed and amendments can be made

4. Vote on bill

5. Same processes in Senate, changes can be made

6. Conference committee, make two bills

7. Both house and senate must approve new bill with simple majority

8. Goes to president, president can sign or veto bill

What is a filibuster?

It allows for unlimited debate on a bill until 60 votes ends the debate. It gives minority party more power

What are lobbyists?

They persuade by policy information, promising campaign money, and ghostwriting legislation. They are often former members of Congress, and spend billions of dollars influencing policy.

What are conflicting views of Americans on the presidency?

Americans want a stronger leader but fear of concentration of power, and want government to be limited but have enough power to solve problems.

What are the basic requirements to become president?

Natural born citizen

35 years of age

US resident for 14 years

What does the 22nd amendment do?

The 22nd amendment limits the president to two terms in office.

What does the 25th amendment do?

The 25th amendment says that the vice president will take over if the president is no longer fit to serve.

When did distrust in the government begin?

In the 1970s with the Vietnam war and Watergate.

What is the difference between the president and the prime minister?

Prime minister comes from the legislature and never faces divided government, unlike the president.

What is the role of the vice president?

They vote in senate in case of a tie. The role is mainly ceremonial, and they mostly have jobs assigned to them by president

What is the purpose of the cabinet of the White House?

It is not mandated but it is traditional to have a cabinet. They are the heads of executive departments, and include 14 secretaries and the attorney general.

What is the main job of the president concerning legislature?

Giving the State of the Union address and vetoing legislature.

How does being unpopular with the public hurt the president?

The president will lose power and influence if they do not have the support of the public.

What period of their term should the president be most efficient?

The honeymoon phase/first 100 days. The public will be more open to the changes and the president will be more impactful

What is the presidents role in national security?

The president makes treaties with other nations, is the commander in chief of the military and can deploy troops. They are also a crisis manager, because they can take quick action without having to go through congress when things are dire.

What is a pocket veto?

When a president waits too long to sign a bill so that it does not go into effect.

What happened at Watergate?

A scandal surrounding a break in at the Democratic National Committee and the cover up of the White House involvement.

What are political action committees? (PAC's)

Groups that donate money to a political campaign. They are limited to $5,000 donations.

What is the Federal Election Campaign Act?

A law that provides limits on and requires disclosure of campaign donations.

Federal Election Commission

The Federal Election Commission administers and enforces campaign finance laws.

What is selective exposure?

The idea that people will find news that agrees with their political views.

What are trial balloons?

When the media talks about a potential policy to see the publics reaction.

According to the video (chapter 7), what percentage of adults in the United States relies on social media for at least some news?

Two thirds

Who typically draws the political districts in each state? (Think of gerrymandering)

The state legislature