Pols 206 Kent Exam 2 TAMU

McGovern-Fraser Commission

required the delegates of the democratic party to represent more minorities

Superdelegates

party leaders and elected officials who become delegates to the national convention without having to run in primaries or caucuses

national party convention

where state delegates vote on nominees through democratic voting

invisible primary

Informal raising of support (and money) before first primaries, craft a positive personal image and avoid media blunders

Caucus v. Primary

in a caucus voters show up at a set time and attend an open meeting to express their presidential preferences. In a primary a state's voters go to the polls to express their preference for a party's presidential candidates.

Federal Election Campaign Act

makes parties disclose who donated to campaign and how much was spent. regulates PACs and created FEC

Federal Election Commission

overseeing campaigns and enforces election laws

527 groups

Independent groups that seek to influence the political process but are not subject to contribution restrictions because they do not directly advocate the election of a particular candidate.

Citizens Untied v. FEC

2010 Supreme Court ruled that corporate funding of independent political ads in candidate elections cannot be limited under the first amendment

501(c) groups

interest groups whose primary purpose is not electoral politics

Super PACs

political action committees established to make independent expenditures

Doctrine of Sufficiency

Don't always need to outspend opponent to win

wedge issues

issues that sharply divide the public.

Motor Voter Act

Law that requires people to register to vote when they apply for a driver's license.

Voter ID laws

must show ID in order to vote

political efficacy

the ability to influence government and politics

Congress Requirements

must be of age, a citizen and reside in a state

Incumbency

already holding an office

House of Representatives

almost always get reelected

Senate

less likely to win but still likely, more diverse with more media coverage. run by vice president

credit claiming

The efforts by members of Congress to get their constituents to believe they are responsible for positive government actions.

American Bicameralism

A legislature divided into two houses.

bicameral legislature

a lawmaking body made up of two chambers or parts

types of comittees

Standing, Joint, conference and select

seniority system

a system that gives the member of the majority party with the longest uninterrupted service on a particular committee the leadership of that committee

Fillibuster

the use of long speeches to prevent the vote on a bill

cloture

a procedure for ending a debate and taking a vote

polarized politics

public opinion divides and goes to an extreme

Constituency Opinion

constituents expect their congressperson to represent their interest

Lobbying

attempting to influence policy makers

pork barrel spending

legislation that directs specific funds to projects within districts or states

Casework Service

President Requirements

born citizen, of age and resident of USA

22nd Amendment

Limits the president to two terms.

25th Amendment

Presidential succession

Madisonian System

a structure of government in which the powers of the government are separated into three branches: executive, legislative, and judicial

NSC

a committee in the executive branch of government that advises the president on foreign and military and national security

CEA

Council of Economic Advisors

OMB

Office of Management and Budget; prepares the federal budget and monitors spending

pocket veto

an indirect veto of a legislative bill by the president or a governor by retaining the bill unsigned until it is too late for it to be dealt with during the legislative session.

no line item veto

Accept it all or refuse to pass it all because of a small provision

honeymoon period

the time following an election when a president's popularity is high and congressional relations are likely to be productive

Pres. Responsibilities

diplomat, commander in chief, working with congress

Chief Diplomat

president can deploy troops but cannot declare war

war powers resolution

president must get congress approval before deploying troops

public sentiment

The belief that open emotional displays equated with sincerity, and that humanitarian impulses elevated society by sustaining reform movements.

Bully Pulpit

the president's use of his prestige and visibility to guide or enthuse the American public

body watch

Focusing more on what the president is physically doing than the policy.

Newspaper readers

better informed, more likely to vote

FCC

(Federal Communications Commission) regulates the television and radio industry, grants licenses to television and radio stations, and blocks monopolies.

equal time rule

the rule that requires broadcast stations to sell air time equally to all candidates in a political campaign if they choose to sell it to any

beats

specific locations where news frequently occurs.

trial balloons

Intentional news leaks for the purpose of assessing the political reaction.

skimming off the cream

just getting quick bites of politicians statements which doesn't cover there policy