AP GOV: Campaigns, Elections, Interest Group, & Media

Plurality Elections

most votes, not majority — wins

22nd Amendment

limited presidents to 2 full terms or max 10yrs

Presidential Coattails

no clear impact on who wins — has an impact but its erratic & modest (jumping on presidents popularity)

Midterm Election

Usually the party who controls the presidency, loses seats in a midterm election — impact of presidential popularity & economic conditions

Exploratory Committee

candidates explore idea of running for president & allows them to start raising money

Caucus

through meeting narrows down candidates

Primary

through ballots narrows down candidates

Bury the Hatchet

time for party to unite behind the nominee — opportunity to define themselves & there candidacy

Balance the ticket

Vice President picked w/ opposite qualities

General Election

Debates are opportunity to make a mistake & an important element that has little impact on the outcome of elections

FEC (Federal Election Commission)

governed campaign contributions, spending, party commitments, & disclosure laws — created after Nixon-McGovern 1972

McCain-Feingold (BCRA)

2002 act outlawed soft money, doubled hard money, & more transparent disclosure

Hard Money

money donated directly to candidate — limited amount each election

Soft Money

money donated to the political party directed to the candidate

PAC (Political Action Committee)

Raises money to support candidates who align with their political agenda

527

interest groups may advertise for or against candidates as long as they remain independent from candidates & their campaign

Citizens United v FEC

campaign contributions are a form of free speech & cannot be limited

6

electoral votes for Iowa

270

numbers needed to win presidency — candidate receives a states electoral votes by winning the states’s popular vote

538

electoral vote (number of members in Congress & 3 for Washington, DC) — each state receives has as many electors as it has representatives & senators in Congress

Interest Group

an org. seek to influence gov. policy/decision making

Faction

James Madison’s name for interest groups

Pluralist Theory

policy making is a competition among diverse factions that ensure the rep. of individual interest (avoids Elite Theory)

Elite Theory

a group of wealthy educated individuals wields most political power (Madion wants to avoid)

Lobbying/Lobbyist

loiter in lobbies

Iron Triangle

interaction of mutual interests among members of Congress, executive agencies, & organized interest group

Electioneering

working to influence the election of candidates who support the orgs issue

Mass Media

media trying to reach nation/world

Framing

process by which the media set a context that help people understand important events & matters of shared interest

Agenda Setting

determination which public issues the gov. should consider

Scorekeeper

role of media to inform the public who is winning & by how much

Gatekeeper

determine what is news & for how long

Watchdog

investigate candidates, reveal scandals, fact check ideas & policy— goal is transparent government