Unit 2: Political Process

Nominate

To select candidates to run for public office

Campaign

the competition by rival political candidates and organizations for public office

Propaganda

messages that are meant to manipulate using emotion or feeling

Swing State

a state that does not consistently vote either Democratic or Republican in presidential elections.

Congressional Representation

Number of Representatives plus number of Senators for a state. Virginia's is 13 (11 representatives + 2 senators).

Conservative

person who favors tradition and less rapid change than someone with liberal beliefs.

Political Action Committee (PAC)

an interest group that raises funds and donates to election campaigns

Bias

Facts presented in a way to lead the reader/viewer to think a certain way

Popular Vote

the votes cast by citizens in an election

Elector

A representative of a political party who votes for President and Vice President

Political Party

A group of individuals with broad common interests who organize to nominate candidates for office, win elections, conduct government, and determine public policy

Liberal

a person who favors more immediate change

Political Center

A group of people who have moderate views on politics

Platform

The aims and principles of a political party

Donkey

the symbol of the Democratic Party

Elephant

the symbol of the Republican Party

Monitor

to watch closely and frequently, especially people of an opposite political party.

Recruit

to enlist; finding or attracting new members to a group.

Republican Party

One of the two major US political parties. Most recently led by Donald Trump.

Democratic Party

One of the two major U.S political parties; Currently led by President Joe Biden.

third party

any political party that challenges the two major political parties in the United States

Moderate

people who do not hold extreme political views

Political Spectrum

the wide range of political views held by citizens

op-ed piece

commentary essays run in a newspaper, usually on the page facing the editorial page. (OPPOSITE THE EDITORIAL PAGE) They may be submitted by anyone.

public opinion

what the public thinks about a particular issue or set of issues at any point in time

interest group

a group of people with common goals who organize to influence government

Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission

A 2010 Supreme Court case that ruled that individuals, corporations, and unions could donate unlimited amounts of money to PACs.

Spoiler Effect

When a 3rd party candidate takes enough votes away from one of the main party candidates to make them lose the election.

public policy

A choice that government makes in response to a political issue. A policy is a course of action taken with regard to some problem.