GOV 310L Exam 2

*Temporary lobbyist*

"For hire" lobbyists with no particular affiliations

*Discharge petition*

- 418 can take it out of a committee and put it on the floor -Sign discharge petition -Rarely happens because of the fear of payback

*Cloture*

- A procedure through which the Senate can limit the amount of time spent debating a bill (cutting off a filibuster), if a supermajority of 60 senators agree

What factors affect voting and participation?

- Education (Easily the most important) - Age - Geographical Region - Race, Ethnicity, and Gender - Community ties - Strong Partisan views - Wealth

*Pocket veto*

- The automatic death of a bill passed by the House and Senate when the president fails to sign the bill in the last 10 days of a legislative session

Congress

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What do interest groups do?

-Allow for collective action -Provide info --Technical --Political -Who do you trust? --Interest groups usually seek certain political figures (congressional leaders) that agree with their ideology and will actually write bills and policy for these political figures. --Interest groups create awareness and often pass information on to maintain awareness. Encouraging policies are usually by congressional leaders with whom they agree with and what they are advocating for

The Democrats

-Democratic National Committee sets the rules for all the states -Nationally organized -Every state uses a Proportional System -To win the nomination you have to get 2382 out of 4,763 votes -Pledged Delegates are the ones you get in primaries and caucuses there are 4,050 in 2016 Delegates in states: 85% are pledged, 15% are unpledged (Texas gets 251 delegates)

How do these delegates to the convention get assigned?

-Depends on state party rules -Some are "winner take all", in which the candidate who wins the most votes wins all the delegates at stake -Some are "winner take all" within congressional districts -Some are proportional -For Republicans, state party rules say whether each delegate is pledged and for how many ballots

Hard money

-Donations that are used to help elect or defeat a specific candidate -"Here is $200, go spend it to get elected"

*Continuing resolution*

-President and Congress can't decide on a budget -Gov't could shut down -Act on last year's budget

Political party

A group of people seeking to control government by winning elections

*Legislative oversight*

Congress' monitoring of the bureaucracy and its administration of policy, performed mainly through hearings

How does a party exist

Part of the electorate (people can identify with a party) As an organization In government

Pledged delegates

The ones you get in primaries and caucuses, pledged to a candidate.

3. An open seat election is one in which

There is no incumbent in the race

Prospective Voting

Voters decide what the government will do in the near future by choosing a certain political party with distinct stances on issues.

*Hold*

a procedure permitted by the Standing Rules of the Senate which allows one or more Senators to prevent a motion from reaching a vote on the Senate floor.

Tricks in Congress

• Omnibus Legislation • Continuing Resolution

Organizing Congress

• Party Caucus • Caucus/Conference: House and Senate • Committee System

Factors that Affect Participation and Voting

• Socio-Economics & Income • GOTV (Get out the Vote or ground game)

15th Amendment

(1870) the right to vote cannot be taken away by factor of race, color, or servitude

19th Amendment

(1920) women suffrage

26th Amendment

(1971) lowered voting age to 18

*President Pro Tempore*

- A largely symbolic position usually held by the most senior member of the majority party in the Senate

*Cracking*

- A tactic of gerrymandering. Cracking involves spreading voters of a particular type among many districts in order to deny them a sufficiently large voting bloc in any particular district

*Filibuster*

- A tactic used by senators to block a bill by continuing to hold the floor and speak- under the Senate rule of unlimited debate- until the bill's supporters back down

*Party vote*

- A vote in which the majority of one party opposes the position of the majority of the other party

*Gridlock*

- An inability to enact legislation because of partisan conflict within Congress or between Congress and the president

*Casework*

- Assistance provided by members of Congress to their constituents in solving problems with the federal bureaucracy or addressing other specific concerns

*Gerrymandering*

- Attempting to use the process of redrawing district boundaries to benefit a political party, protect incumbents, or change the proportion of minority voters in a district.

What do candidates do to help you choose?

- Candidates try to get the message out by: -- Trying to connect with public --- Risk? Gaining public attention could backfire if you say something that could ridicule your reputation -- Debates --- Can get your message out --- Can be a chance for you to shine if people don't expect much --- Risk? Anything you say is subject to criticism. You could accidentally say something that's unwise or unsupported, and the public will remember you for that statement

*Joint committees*

- Committees that contain members of both the House and Senate but have limited authority -Need members from House and Senate - i.e. Library of CONGRESS (joint committee)

Soft money

- Contributions that can be used for voter mobilization or to promote a policy proposal or point of view as long as these efforts are not tied to supporting or opposing a particular candidate. - Outlawed 2002 as a tool to be used by parties - 527s can still use soft money as long as it is not tied to a specific candidate

Financing Campaigns

- Federal Campaign Act: (FECA) 1971 - Federal Election Commission: (1976) - Parties will sometimes coordinate spending -- Spend money on congressional candidates -- Often comes with a price ("we helped you get elected...") - Independent spending: by a person or organization not controlled or coordinated by a campaign - Soft Money v. Hard Money

*Omnibus legislation*

- Large bills that often cover several topics and may contain extraneous or pork barrel projects

Levels of participation

- Participation: Actions of private citizens by which they seek to influence or support government and politics 1. Spectator Activity (Lowest): Wearing a T-Shirt/Bumper Stickers to support partisanship/candidate (Doesn't Really Mean much) 2. Voting (Spectator Activity to a degree): Not doing much; didn't put yourself out there. 3. Convincing a person to vote a certain way: "Vote Clinton!" "Vote Trump!" - Get your voice on newspaper/commenting through online channels 4. Contact a public official on a certain issue 5. Contributing Money to a Campaign - Spending money to support an official 6. Going to a Party Meeting 7. Contributing Time to a Campaign - call on behalf of a candidate 8. Raise Money for a Candidate 9. Become a political candidate 10. Win Office (Highest Level of Participation)

*Redistricting and apportionment*

- Redistricting: Redrawing the geographic boundaries of legislative districts. (happens every 10 years) -Apportionment: The process of assigning the 435 seats in the House to the states based on increases or decreases in state population.

Electoral College

- The body that votes to select America's president and vice president based on the popular vote in each state. Each candidate nominates a slate of electors who are selected to attend the meeting of the college if their candidate wins the most votes in a state or district. • Calculation: The number of electors from each state equals the state's number of house members (which varies based on state population) plus two senators per state. And each elector is allotted one vote in electoral college • Why are NE (Nebraska) and ME (Maine) unusual? Because they play differently than the winner-take-all system that the other 48 states play by • Swing State: A US state where the two major political parties have similar levels of support among voters, they are viewed as important in determining the overall result of a presidential election • Win Requirement: A minimum of 270 out of 538 electoral votes are necessary to win the presidency.

*Majority Leader*

- The elected head of the party holding the majority of seats in the House or Senate

*Minority Leader*

- The elected head of the party holding the minority of seats in the House or Senate

*Speaker of the House*

- The elected leader of the House (from majority party)

*Party unity*

- The extent to which members of Congress in the same party vote together on party votes

*Seniority rule*

- The informal congressional norm of choosing the member who has served the longest on a particular committee to be the committee chair

*Roll call vote*

- The recorded vote on legislation; members may vote yes, no, abstain, or present

*Incumbency advantage*

- The relative infrequency with which members of Congress are defeated in their attempts for re-election -Name recognition - Sit in committees that are important to the people they represent - Get more support because are more likely to win

*Substantive representation*

- When a member of Congress represents constituents' interests and policy concerns

*Subcommittees*

-*Markup*: One of the steps through which a bill becomes a law, in which the final wording of the bill is determined -Hearings

Elections

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Interest Groups

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Political Parties

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*Log rolling*

-A form of reciprocity in which members of Congress support bills that they otherwise might not vote for in exchange for other members' votes on bills that are very important to them. - You vote for my bill, I'll vote for your bill

Nominating convention

-A meeting held by each party every four years at which states' delegates select the party's presidential and vice-presidential nominees and approve the party platform.

*Delegate*

-A member of Congress who loyally represents constituents' direct interests

*Trustee*

-A member of Congress who represents constituents' interests while also taking into account national, collective, and moral concerns that sometimes cause the member to vote against the preference of a majority of constituents.

Unified Government

-A situation in which one party holds a majority of seats in the House and Senate and the president is a member of that same party. -The party in power is the party that controls the House, the Senate, and the presidency.

Divided Government

-A situation in which the House, the Senate, and the presidency are not controlled by the same party. (This type of government may actually be more functional because the branches already know that they have to make compromises with each other) -The party in power would be the president's party

Party organization

-A specific political party's leaders and workers at the national, state, and local levels. -Party in government: The group of officeholders who belong to a specific political party and were elected as candidates of that party. Party in the electorate: The group of citizens who identify with a specific political party.

Party Platform

-A statement of principles and campaign promises developed by parties -A set of objectives outlining the party's issue positions and priorities. Candidates are not required to support their party's platform.

*527 organization*

-A tax-exempt group formed primarily to influence elections through voter mobilization efforts and to issue ads that do not directly endorse or oppose a candidate. Unlike PACs, 527s are not subject to contribution limits and spending caps. -Advantages: Can spend unlimited amounts on issue advocacy and voter mobilization -Disadvantages: Cannot make contributions to candidates or coordinate efforts with candidates or parties

*SuperPAC*

-Advantages: Can spend unlimited amounts on electioneering; can support or oppose specific candidates -Disadvantages: Cannot make contributions to candidates or coordinate efforts with candidates or parties

*Political Action Committee (PAC)*

-An interest group or a division of an interest group that can raise money to contribute to campaigns or to spend on ads in support of candidates. The amount a PAC can receive from each of its donors and the amount it can spend on federal campaigning are strictly limited -Advantages: Can contribute directly to candidates and parties -Disadvantages: Strict limits on direct contributions

*Majority Whip*

-An organization of House leaders who work to disseminate info and promote party unity in voting on legislation (from majority party)

*Minority Whip*

-An organization of House leaders who work to disseminate info and promote party unity in voting on legislation (from minority party)

*Astroturf lobbying*

-Any lobbying method initiated by an interest group that is designed to look like the spontaneous, independent participation of many individuals - "Fake grass"; making your cause appear to have a larger presence than actual society support

Counting the Electoral College

-As the ballots show up in the President of the Senate's office, they are arranged in alphabetical order and left unopened. -December 28, 2016: the deadline for the receipt of the votes to the President of the Senate. No penalty for being late. Archivist may take extraordinary measures to get the duplicates if they don't arrive. -January 6, 2017: Electoral Votes formally counted. At 1pm in the U.S. House of Representatives chamber, the Vice President (or pro tempore of Senate if VP is unable) chairs the proceedings. The VP and Speaker of House sit at podium too. The ballots are brought in and read in alphabetical order. Objections to the ballots can only occur if a member of the Senate AND House object. After they are all read, the President of the Senate announces the final vote and declares the names of the elected President and Vice President.

History of Voting in America

-At the founding, most states allowed only white landowning males to vote - What does that really mean? --Implied populations that couldn't vote: convicts, indentured servants, women, etc. -Jacksonian era (1830s-1840s) White male suffrage -23rd Amendment: (1961) Washington D.C. vote suffrage -*1948 is when most states started to allow Native Americans to vote, but the last state to allow them to vote was New Mexico in 1962*

*Seniority system*

-Before 1970s seniority reigned Congress

How do we pick who we want to vote for?

-Biggest hint: What political party do you belong to? - External factors? -- Appearance (ex: Height) - Other *voting cues*? --Pieces of info about a candidate that are readily available, are easy to interpret, and lead a citizen to decide to vote for a particular candidate. -- Incumbency -- Partisanship -- Personal connection (ex: Did they do casework for you?) -- Personal characteristics (ex: Age, Race, Gender, Faith, etc.) - Prospective voting - Retrospective voting - Single issue voting

More party organization

-Candidates want to get the nomination -They have to go through either primaries or caucuses depending on what the rules are for each state

*Closed rule/ Restricted rule/ Open rule*

-Closed: -Restricted: -Open:

*Select committees*

-Committees in the House or Senate created to address a specific issue for one or two terms -Temporary -Investigations

*Standing committees*

-Committees that are a permanent part of the House or Senate structure, holding more importance and authority than other committees -Bills -Permanent committees (Assignment 2) -Standing committees usually have subcommittees

*Citizens United vs. Federal Election Commission*

-Federal Election Commission: The government agency that enforces and regulates election laws; made up of six presidential appointees, of whom no more than three can be members of the same party -

*Earmarks*

-Federally funded local projects attached to bills passed through Congress -Tagging it, Marking it

*How does a Bill become a Law*

-House Senate Bill Introduced Bill Introduced Goes to Committee Goes to Committee (really subcommittee for hearing) Referred to Full Committee Full House Full Senate -Conference Committee (goes back to each chamber for vote) --President ---Approved - law ---Veto - goes back to each chamber, if each approves it by 2/3s, the veto is overridden and it becomes a law

2012 Electoral College Map: How does the Electoral College work?

-In 2012, Texas had 38 Electoral College votes (up 4 from 2000)... so it will have 36 members of the U.S. House of Representatives and 2 Senators (36+2=38) -Each political party in Texas (Democrats, Republicans, Libertarian, Green, etc... these are the 4 big ones) will select 38 people (usually very loyal party members) usually called Electors -November 8, 2016: Election day, where Americans cast votes in the presidential election... Texas will have a statewide election to select their choice for president Texas has a winner take all election. The candidate that wins Texas will be assigned the 38 Electors that were picked from the winning political party -December 13, 2016: By now, all the states must make final decisions (6 days before meeting of electors at the state capital) -December 19, 2016: On this day (technically, it's the Monday after the 2nd Wednesday in December), each slate of Electors meets in their state capital. If Trump wins Texas, 38 Republican Electors met on this day in Austin and formally cast their ballot for President and Vice President and they fill out the Electoral College form created by their state. They create six certificates of vote which they all sign. One goes to the President of the U.S. Senate (Vice President), Two go to the Archivist of the USA, Two go to the Texas Secretary of State (this is to prevent fraud of changing a ballot en route), One goes to the presiding judge in the district where the electors meet (this is the reserve set for the Vice President in case that one goes missing)

What do parties do?

-Inform the electorate -Support candidates, especially in a candidate centered era with resources -Have conventions and national committees -Work with Congressional candidates for their campaigns -Effects of Presidents --Coat-tail Effect: The tendency for a popular political party leader to attract votes for other candidates of the same party in an election. --Negative Coat-tail Effect: The tendency for an unpopular political party leader to steer votes away from other candidates of the same party in an election

*Pork Barrel projects*

-Legislative appropriations that benefit specific constituents, created with the aim of helping local representatives win re-election. -Sticking all sorts of things in bills

Why are we unique?

-Lots of elections • All elections are separate from each other • Elections all have fixed terms • Elections are on a Fixed Day • Winner take all elections... first past the post --meaning that the candidate with the plurality of votes is the winner of the congressional seat. The losing party or parties win no representation at all.

Direct/Closed/Open/Blanket Primaries and more

-Primary: A ballot vote in which citizens select a party's nominee for the general election. -Direct primary: An election in which voters choose candidates to run on a party's ticket in a subsequent election for public office -Closed primary: A primary election system in which only registered party members can vote in their party's primary -Open primary: A primary election system in which any registered voter can participate in either party's primary, regardless of the voter's party affiliation. -Blanket primary: A primary election in which voters may pick one candidate for each office without regard to party lines

*Disturbance theory*

-Problems that form because certain groups will conflict with other groups affecting a segment of a population. Groups are created to "fight" or counteract by wanting to lobby a certain legislation. -Interest groups form primarily in opposition to other interest groups so as to counteract influence in their respective political domains

*Franking privilege*

-Signature where the stamp should be -Illegal to use franking in a campaign

The Republicans

-State parties have more control than their Democrat counterparts -This means they have more freedom to organize their primaries and caucuses -You have to get at least 1,237 of 2472 delegates to win the nomination -Texas has 155 Republican delegates

Ok... what is this 527 thing I keep hearing about?

-Tax-exempt organization - Can engage in political activity often with unlimited soft money - Usually try to influence elections through voter mobilization efforts or so-called issue ads - Must report contributions and expenditures to the IRS unless they already file identical information at the state or local level - Cannot coordinate with a political candidate • Okay, those are the facts, what does it mean? - 527s can be nebulous about who actually runs them - Individuals can only contribute set amounts to a candidate • No such limitation exists for a 527

*Conference committees*

-Temporary committees created to negotiate differences between the House and Senate versions of a piece of legislation that has passed through both chambers - From House and Senate - Turn it into one bill (look at how a bill becomes a law)

VAP (Voting Available Population) and VEP (Voting Eligible Population)

-The VAP is always bigger than the VEP -VAP: how many bodies we have; everybody who is above ground alive from baby to elderly -VEP: people who are eligible to vote; people over 18 and citizens.

*Outsider tactics and strategy*

-The tactics employed outside Washington, D.C., by interest groups seeking to achieve their policy goals - Interest group activities designed to influence elected officials by threatening to impose political costs on them if they do not respond - i.e. Grassroots lobbying

*Insider tactics and strategy*

-The tactics employed within Washington, D.C., by interest groups seeking to achieve their policy goals - Interest group activity working closely with members of Congress and contributing money to incumbents' campaigns - i.e. Direct lobbying (speaking with elected officials)

Why do Democrats have superdelegates?

-They are 15% of delegates including: --All Democratic members of Congress --Democratic state and territorial governors --Members of DNC --Distinguished party leaders --Others (ex: A rising star in a party, a very well-liked governor, etc.) -The idea is to make sure nominee is approved by leadership officials -They can vote for whoever they want, and while they may pledge for a candidate, they can change up to the time they cast the vote on the floor

Why are people talking about Nebraska and Maine?

-They play by different rules than the rest of the states - 48 states have a winner take all system for the Electoral College except NE and ME - Nebraska and Maine allow their House of Representatives districts to count separately. -- Nebraska has 3 House districts -- What about Maine with only 2 House districts? ---If Clinton gets the 2 house districts, she gets both, if 1:1 split: they each get 1

Low Turnout

-Voter fatigue; people are "Tired of Elections" - Too Busy - Registration - Absentee Voting - Number of Elections - Voter Attitudes - Open only during working/commuting hours - Closed polling -Options? --1. Make Election Day a Holiday: NOT EFFECTIVE .. it's a holiday; people will not vote, but instead stay at home because they do not have to go to school or work. "Labor Day #2" --2. Voting must be done on a Tuesday because it avoids religious holidays or services

*Descriptive representation*

-When a member of Congress shares the characteristics (such as gender, race, religion, or ethnicity) of his or her constituents

*Riders*

-additional provision added to a bill or other measure under the consideration by a legislature having little connection with the subject matter of the bill. Blocked in HOR.

*Majority-Minority Districts*

-majority of constituents in the district are racial or ethnic minorities

*Split ticket*

A ballot on which a voter selects candidates from more than one political party

*Straight ticket*

A ballot on which a voter selects candidates from only one political party.

*Primaries*

A ballot vote in which citizens select a party's nominee for the general election

*GOTV (get out the vote/ground game)*

A campaign's efforts to "get out the vote" or make sure their supporters vote on Election Day.

National Party Convention

A convention held every four years by each of the major political parties to nominate a presidential candidate

*Grassroots lobbying*

A lobbying strategy that relies on participation by group members, such as a protest or a letter-writing campaign. (a bottom-up strategy)

*Caucuses*

A local meeting in which party members select a party's nominee for the general election.

*Politico*

A member of Congress who acts as a delegate on issues that constituents care about (such as immigration reform) and as a trustee on more-complex or less-salient issues (some foreign policy or regulatory matters)

*Coercion*

A method of eliminating non-participation or free riding by potential group members by requiring participation, as in many labor unions

Party System (Five or Six Party Eras)

A period in which the names of the major political parties, their supporters, and the issues dividing them have remained relatively stable.

Incumbent

A politician running for re-election for the office he or she currently holds.

*Open primaries*

A primary election in which any registered voter can participate in the contest, regardless of party affiliation.

*Closed primaries*

A primary election in which only registered members of a particular political party can vote.

*Censure*

A process by which a formal reprimand is issued to an individual by an authoritative body.

*Majority voting*

A voting system in which a candidate must win more than 50% of votes to win the election. If no candidate wins enough votes to take office, a runoff election is held between the top two vote-getters.

*Plurality voting*

A voting system in which the candidate who receives the most votes within a geographic area wins the election, regardless of whether that candidate wins a majority (more than half) of the votes

7. Which is NOT one of the ways that political party organizations support candidates? A. by controlling who runs in House and Senate races B. by contributing money to campaign activities C. by offering advice on how to deal with the press D. by organizing get-out-the-vote activities E. by offering advice on which issues to emphasize

A. by controlling who runs in House and Senate races

How often does realignment occur?

About every 40 years we have a realignment Some say 40, some say 60

*Open seat*

An elected position for which there is no incumbent.

*Open polling*

An open access poll is a type of opinion poll in which a nonprobability sample of participants self select into participation

*Interest group* (aka special interests, lobby groups, public interest groups, pressure groups)

An organization of people who share common political interests and aim to influence public policy by electioneering and lobbying

Where did the Democrats come from?

Anti-Federalists... Democratic-Republicans... Democrats

*Entitlements*

Any federal government program that provides benefits to Americans who meet requirements specified by laws

Single Issue Voting

Basing votes on one issue regardless of the stance on other issues

*Selective incentives*

Benefits that can motivate participation in a group effort because they are available only to those who participate, such as member services offered by interest groups (such as travel discounts and group insurance rates)

Sixth system? Maybe?

Big debate among scholars What are we seeing more of today? Ticket splitting vs party line voting Party Line: When policies are officially adopted by a political party, and people vote in accordance with that party's policies Ticket Split: When a voter in an election votes for candidates from different political parties when multiple offices are being decided by a single election

Roles of Political Parties

Build Stable Legislative and Electoral Alliances Mobilizing Voters Develop New Electoral Techniques Use Party Labels (creates stability and it is easy to make predictions)

5. A group of elected officials of the same party who organize to debate and strategize is called a

Caucus or conference

3. In contrast to a confederation, a centralized interest group

Deploys the group's resources more efficiently

What can we generalize about the electorate?

Differences are getting wider and stronger Slightly more men tend to be Republican Conservatives tend to identify with Republicans, Liberals with Democrats African-Americans are usually Democratic Southern states are pretty solidly Republican Latinos are moving up in the socio-economic ladder faster than any other group - can't rely on stereotypes.

6. Asking government officials to change policy in line with the group's goals is

Direct lobbying

7. Interest groups generally --- draft legislation; they generally --- provide testimony before committees.

Do; do

*Winner take all*

During the presidential primaries, the practice of assigning all of a given state's delegates to the candidate who receives the most popular votes. Some states' Republican primaries and caucuses use this system.

*Lobbying*

Efforts to influence public policy through contact with public officials on behalf of an interest group

Direct mobilization

Encouraging people to vote through direct means, such as face-to-face interaction. This strategy is a more effective means of getting people to vote.

Fourth Party System (1896-1932)

Ends with the Great Depression

*Unanimous consent agreements*

Everyone involved in voting agrees on the decision being made

1. Which were the first well-known parties in the United States?

Federalists and Democratic-Republicans

First Party System (1790s-1820s)

Federalists v. Anti-Federalists(Democrat-Republicans) Revolution of 1800 (Vice President Thomas Jefferson defeated President John Adams. The election was a realigning election that replaced the Federalists with the Democratic-Republican Party, first election in the world where one party willingly gave up power)

Where did the GOP come from?

Federalists... National Republicans... Whigs... Republicans The Republican Party is unique because it is the only third party in American history to ever become a main party

8. Directly involving interest group members in lobbying efforts is called

Grassroots lobbying

Membership

Group maintenance (keep track of members) • Different ways to look at interest groups - Centralized groups - Confederation • Mass versus Peak Associations - Checkbook membership • Mancur Olson's Logic of Collective Action • Problem of the Free Rider • How do you minimize this? - Selective incentives - Solidary benefits - Purposive benefits - Coercion

7. Research shows that modern campaign ads are likely to ---

Have beneficial effects, such as informing voters

2. The winner take all method of allocating most states' electoral votes results in candidates focusing on --- states and --- states

High population; swing

1. In contrast to political parties, interest groups

Indirectly influence government activity

*Confederation*

Interest groups made up of several independent, local organizations that provide much of their funding and hold most of the power

*Centralized groups*

Interest groups that have a headquarters, usually in Washington D.C., as well as members and field offices throughout the country. In general, these groups' lobbying decisions are made at headquarters by the group leaders.

*Mass associations*

Interest groups that have a large number of dues-paying individuals as members

*Peak associations*

Interest groups whose members are businesses or other organizations rather than individuals

4. What effect does fund-raising have for incumbents?

It ensures the potential for an aggressive campaign, and it deters opposition

Superdelegate

It's an unpledged delegate, meaning that they're free to support any candidate for the presidential nomination at the party's national convention

Second Party System (1820s-1850s)

Jacksonian era (Period of time following Andrew Jackson's election as president; introduced the patronage/spoils system) 1832: First national party conventions introduced

9. For indirect lobbying to be effective

Letters have to come from contituents

9. Voters who rely on voting cues to determine their vote choice are ---

Likely to cast a reasonable vote, and more so if they are informed

10. Interest groups are more likely to succeed when their request attracts --- public attention, and when it has --- conflict

Little; little

SuperPAC Loopholes

Loopholes in this law that allow for coordination: - If you make your Google calendar public, you can allow the SuperPAC to see your schedule (Fiorina is doing this) - You can directly share information as long as it is in public view • Youtube video • Twitter - They can speak directly with a group of donors as long as the candidate leaves before planning or coordinating about fundraising happens - Clinton has directly coordinated with a SuperPAC called Correct the Record and claims it is legal because they are conducting all online communication free of charge and are not using paid advertising or other direct expenditures on her behalf - Federal law says political committees must file disclosures to cover activity before Oct. 15. • IF YOUR GROUP IS CREATED AFTER THAT DAY, you don't have to disclose anything for up to 7 weeks (around last week of November and well after November election cycle) so they can act without any oversight and if the group goes out of existence after the election, then...?

1. Runoff elections occur only in states that use ___

Majority voting

*Caucus and conference*

Members of each major party in the US congress meet regularly in closed sessions known as party conferences (Republican) or party caucuses (Democrats). Participants set legislative agendas, select committee members and chairs, and hold elections to choose various floor leaders (Both HOR and Senate)

5. GOTV and ground game refer to a candidate's attempts to ---

Mobilize supporters

6. What is soft money?

Money that is not tied to a specific candidate

10. Weak coattails and split tickets serve as indicators that ---

Most elections are determined by local issues

Third Party System (1850s-1890s)

Party machines: a type of political party organization that relies heavily on material inducements, such as patronage, to win votes and govern. Progressive Era (1880s-1920s): A period of political reform with the goal of eliminating corruption in government, such as party machines Australian ballots: The system of voting in which voters mark their choices in privacy on uniform ballots printed and distributed by the government or designate their choices by some other secret means Primary elections: A preliminary election to appoint delegates to a party conference or to select the candidates for a principal, especially presidential, election.

2. The idea that a party is not just a group, but an organization that exists apart from its candidate, is called the

Party principle

Dealignment

People abandon their previous party without finding a new one to replace it; become independents.

Voter fatigue

People are tired of elections

Realignment

People in one party switch to another party; independents become aligned with a party

Indirect mobilization

Persuading people to vote through indirect means, such as through networks and communication lines.

6. The modern Congress is --- ; the distance between the parties has --- over the past 60 years

Polarized; increased

*Pluralism theory*

Politics is mainly a competition among groups, each one pressing for its own preferred policies

Patronage/Spoils system

Practice in which the political party winning an election rewards its campaign workers and other active supporters by appointment to government positions and by other favors.

*Professional lobbyist*

Regularly paid employees of corporations

*Purposive benefits*

Satisfaction derived from the experience of working toward a desired policy goal, even if the goal is not achieved

*Solidary benefits*

Satisfaction derived from the experience of working with like-minded people, even if the group's efforts do not achieve the desired impact

*Collective action*

Situations in which the members of a group would benefit by working together to produce some outcome, but each individual is better off refusing to cooperate and reaping the benefits from those who do the work

*Elitism theory*

Societies are divided along class lines and an upper-class elite will rule, regardless of the formal niceties of government

Idiot

The Greek word "idiot" originally described someone who did not participate in politics

*Candy desk*

The desk is the first desk on the right, or Republican, side, and is in the last row of desks. Traditionally, the candy desk is always on the Republican side of the Senate Chamber and is used by a Republican senator. The desk is currently occupied by Pennsylvania Senator Pat Toomey.

2. Why is the number of lobbyists increasing?

The federal gov't is growing in size and influence

*Coattails*

The idea that a popular president can generate additional support for candidates affiliated with his or her party. Coattails are weak or nonexistent in most American elections.

*Committee chairs*

The most important influencers of the congressional agenda. They play dominant roles in scheduling hearings, hiring staff, appointing subcommittees, and managing committee bills when they are brought before the full house.

*Revolving door*

The movement of individuals from government positions to jobs with interest groups or lobbying firms, and vice versa.

*Free Riders*

The problem faced by unions and other groups when people do not join because they can benefit from the group's activities without officially joining.

Closed polling

The requirement to vote at one specific precinct which you are assigned to, rather than voting anywhere you'd like.

4. The practice of moving from government positions to working for interest groups is called

The revolving door

3. The third party system (1857-1896) was broken up by which issue?

The size and regulatory power of government

*Democratic caucus*

There's a House Democratic Caucus and a Senate Democratic Caucus House: Nominates and elects democratic party leadership in the US HOR. Writes and enforces rules of conduct and discipline for its members, approves committee assignments, and serves as the primary forum for development of party policy and legislative priorities. Senate: Formal organization of current 44 Democratic senators in the US. Communicates the party's message to and unifying all of its members.

Getting the Nomination

To become their party's candidate, they have to win enough primaries or caucuses in the states

9. When the president, House, and Senate are controlled by the same party, this is called

Unified government

11. The issue positions of minor parties are usually

Very different from those of the major parties and most Americans

8. The paradox of voting is this: Why does anyone vote, given that ---?

Voting is costly, and the chances of affecting the outcome are small

Retrospective Voting

Voting that is made after taking into consideration factors like the performance of a political party, an office holder, and/or the administration. It presumes that people are more concerned with policy outcomes than policy instruments

American Political Party Organization

We have different parties with different organization However, both operate within the rules of the states but every state is different Develop party platform National party convention Day to day operations of national party fall to national chair. Chair selected by presidential nominee of party is actual administrator. Informal Groups: Groups that are neither formed in response to any organizational requirement nor have a formally defined structure of relationship between the group members.

How does the realignment/dealignment process work?

We usually start to dealign (dealignment) We have a critical election (A large event in which many people switch political sides) Then we realign (realignment)

10. In American politics, minor parties

Win few offices at any level of government

5. Purposive benefits come from ---; solidary benefits come from ---.

Working to achieve a desired policy goal; working with like-minded people

*Constituents*

You, the person who elected them into office

*Safe district*

a legislative district in which the likely voters support one political party or the other by an overwhelmingly large margin

4. The Democratic and Republican party organizations --- hierarchical; they are --- to force state and local parties to share their positions on issues.

are not; unable

8. Why do most candidates support their party platforms?

because most candidates and their constituents generally agree with the platform

*Formal Powers of Congress*

passing laws, appropriations, confirmation of powers, impeachment, treaty ratification, congressional oversight, declare war, pass laws/resolutions regarding foreign policy issues, regulate foreign commerce, lay and collect taxes

*Incumbent*

someone currently holding office

Fifth system

starts in 1932 New Deal coalition: The alignment of interest groups and voting blocs in the United States that supported the New Deal and voted for Democratic presidential candidates from 1932 until the late 1960s

These below may engage in political activity as long as it is not their main purpose

• *501 ( c ) (4)* - Social welfare organization - Advantages: Can spend unlimited amounts on electioneering; do not have to disclose contributors (Can lobby for legislation and may also participate in campaigns) -Disadvantages: At least half of their activities must be non-political; cannot coordinate efforts with candidates or parties -- Right now, groups are heavily using these to shield who donates to them • 501 ( c ) (5) - Labor and agriculture groups • 501 ( c ) (6) - Business leagues, chambers of commerce, real estate boards, boards of trade

*Senate*

• 100 members • 6 year terms • Have to be at least 30 years old • 1/3 up every 2 years • Continual body • more individualistic • Special Powers: ratifies treaties, confirms presidential appointees, impeachment trial

Senators make ___ $$$

• 1789-1815: $6.00 per diem • 1935-1947: $10,000 a year • 1979-1983: $60,662.50 a year • 2002: $150,000 a year • 2006 :$165,200 a year • 2011: $174,000 a year • Since 1980s, leadership makes more - Majority, Minority, president pro tempore - $193,400 a year

Summary of the House of Representatives

• 2 year term • 435 members • proportional representation • fewer personal staff than Senators (about 17 per House member) • More rules than Senate for procedure • Limited Debate • More Policy Specialists than Senate (reciprocity... defer to specialists) • Less Media Coverage than Senate • Less Prestige than Senate • Less reliance on staff than Senate • More powerful committee leaders than senate • Very important committees • 20 major committees • Nongermane amendments *(riders)* not allowed • Important Rules Committee • Some bills permit no floor amendments (closed rules) • high turnover • emphasize tax and revenue policy

Well, what's the difference between that and a 501 ( c )?

• 501 ( c ) refers to the IRS tax code - It is the designation for a non-profit, tax exempt group that can engage in some political activity depending on the type of the group • *501 ( c ) (3)* - These are religious, charitable, scientific and educational groups - A tax code classification that applies to most interest groups; this designation makes donations to the group tax deductible but limits the group's political activities. - Disadvantage: Cannot engage in political activities or lobbying, only voter education and mobilization - Advantage: Contributions tax deductible • In 2008, the election was all about the 501c3

Summary of the Senators

• 6 year terms • 100 members • Larger Constituencies • More personal staff (about 44 each) • Even representation • More flexible rules • Extended debate • Policy Generalists • More media coverage • More prestige • More reliance on staff • More equal distribution of power • Less important committees • 20 major committees • Non-germane amendments allowed • treaty ratification power • "advice and consent" power • filibuster allowed • turnover moderate • emphasizes foreign policy

Why just 435 members?

• At the first Congress, there were 65 reps • 1790 census - 105 seats with 1 seat every 33,000 • 1910 - expanded to 435, 1 seat every 200,000 • *1929 - size was fixed at the 435 number* • 2002 - Each seat has about 650,000 people • 2012 - Each seat has approximately 710,767 except states with 1 seat ( WY, DE, VT, MT, SD, ND)

Money!

• Bribery has long been a problem and a concern • Lobbying Disclosure Act (1995) - Loopholes in 1995 • 2007 Honest Leadership and Open Government Act - Stops revolving door (a bit) - Cannot receive gifts, meals or travel from lobbyists - More disclosure and transparency about Lobby Activity - Punishments for bad behavior and restrictions

*Types of Interest groups*

• Business: • Union: • Professional Organizations: • Ideological / Single Issue Groups: • Public Interest / Advocacy Groups:

How does the Electoral College affect candidates?

• By encouraging campaigning in only "big" states... while ignoring smaller states -- 11 states produce 270 electoral votes, the biggest being: CA, NY, TX, FL, PA, IL, and OH (2012: 209) -- CA, TX, and FL in 2000 have 111 electoral votes (2012: 120) • Focus on swing states -- Candidates tend to spend money in places that can go either way -- Why spend money in place with no chance of winning? -- There is no point for Trump or Clinton to spend money in California -- This frees money up to spend in places like Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Florida - They may lose the popular vote but win in the electoral college

Fun things

• Candy desk in the Senate - Currently Pat Toomey (R-PA) (Hershey (PA) yumm!) • Graffiti! (Senators carve their name into their desk)

Power in Committees

• Committee Chairs • Seniority System

Legislators: How they Look at their Jobs

• Delegate • Trustee • Politico • Casework • Constituents • Constituencies

*House of Representatives*

• Entire body elected every 2 years • 435 representatives • Have to be at least 25 years old • Special Powers: originates all tax bills & brings impeachment charges • Since 1789: 10,880 people have served in House & 1,963 in Senate

Reapportionment

• Every 10 years = census • Congressional seats get redesigned to account for population changes • When a state gains or loses a seat, their state legislature will redistrict their U.S. House of Representatives districts

Things Special to the Senate

• Filibuster • Cloture • Confirmation Power -Senatorial Courtesy • Unanimous Consent -Hold

Manipulation of Districts

• Gerrymandering • Creation of 'safe seats' • Representation of Minority Interests -Cracking -Packing -Majority- Minority Districts -- Racial gerrymandering is not allowed --- Race can be a factor in redistricting but not the primary factor

Getting public support

• Groups often have a strategy (plan) and to achieve it, they use tactics (actions) • Grassroots activity - Astroturf • Create pressure in districts rallies letter writing newspapers, TV, Radio direct mail NRA & NOW are really good at this EMILY's List (Democrats) (bundling) WISH (GOP) • Also, Lawsuits

Presidential Elections: Electoral College

• Indirect Election: • Never worked as framers planned • To win, you need a majority (270), not a plurality • LBJ, Nixon, Ford, and Carter all endorsed an amendment that would replace the electoral college with a direct election • Problems with Direct Election -- Our elections are run by our states and counties (mostly counties); all of the different countries use different election equipment -- In a direct election, you would have to have a national ballot and fund all the counties with the same equipment -- If we had a direct election in Texas, we would probably go Republican, and the Republicans and Democrats wouldn't have to spend money down here since Texas would be written off as Republican. However, Austin is Democratic and so is Houston and Dallas. Every location would come into play, so they would have to spend money in all the counties and places in Texas. They can't distribute their money smartly because they would have to pay everywhere.

How do they try to change things?

• Lobbying • 2 types: professional and temporary • How can they help members of Congress? - Point of Concern: Revolving door • How can they influence the executive branch? • How do they lobby courts? • Insider tactics v. Outsider tactics

Whips

• Majority and Minority Whip • Elected by party members • Named after British House of Commons where they are called the 'whipper in' (the rider who keeps the hounds together in a fox hunt) • Duties

Federal Limits on Spending SuperPAC?

• Official term is "independent expenditure only committee"• Like PACs but not as many restrictions - SuperPACs can raise and spend unlimited amounts of money for supporting or opposing political candidates - Can directly attack a political candidate • Cannot directly coordinate with candidate or party

*Rules Committee*

• Only the House (not the Senate) • Regulates time the floor debate of a bill • Sets limitations on amendments • 2 types - Closed Rule -- Restricted Rule (some amendments on floor) - Open Rule

Incumbents: Congress - job for life?

• Open Seat • Incumbent • Since WWII, on average 92% of House & 78% of Senate incumbents win reelection • Advantages Incumbents have over Challengers -Name recognition - Sit in committees that are important to the people they represent - Other Advantages -- Pork Barrel -- Earmarks ---- Federally funded local projects attached to bills -- Log Rolling

Salaries in Government 2016

• President ...$400,000, plus $50,000 expense allowance - Pension when leaves is equal to head of an executive federal department. In 2013, this is $199,700 • Vice President ...$233,000 • Speaker of the House...$223,500 • House Majority & Minority Leaders ...$193,400 • House / Senate Members & Delegates ....$174,000 - Max amount House member can pay an employee: $168,411 • Chief Justice, Supreme Court ...$258,100 • Associate Justices, Supreme Court ...$246,800

Senate Leadership

• President of the Senate: Vice President of the United States • President Pro Tempore • Senate Majority Leader • Minority Leader • Whips

Presidential - Congressional Relations

• Presidential Veto • Override • Pocket Veto • Oversight

Money Matters

• Presidential campaigns costs - 2004: 1 billion - 2008: 2 billion - 2012: 2.6 billion -If campaigns were privately financed then only rich people would win and this could mean that people who win will owe 'favors' to those who gave them a lot of money

*Committee System*

• Real work of Congress occurs in committee • Dominate policy making in all stages • New bills usually go straight to subcommittee • hold hearings • investigate problems and wrongdoing • Control congressional agenda • Guide legislation • House of Representatives has a Discharge petition

*Basic Duties of Congress*

• Representation • Law Making • Consensus Building • Overseeing the Bureaucracy • Policy Clarification • Investigating the operation of government agencies • Senate

Where do they spend money?

• Senate: more TV (fewer candidates in a market) • House of Representatives: more mailings (target audience more) • Small amount of money -- Speeches, door to door, shaking hands • Money can be self-reinforcing

House Leadership

• Speaker of the House • Formal Duties • Majority Party • Majority Leader • Minority Party • Minority Leader

*Four Types of Committees*

• Standing -Standing committees usually have subcommittees • Select • Joint • Conference

Spending restrictions

• Supreme Court case in 2010 (Citizens United) removed restrictions on campaign spending by any organization (including labor unions and corporations) saying they have the same basic First Amendment rights as people • Right now we pretty much have two systems for spending money on a campaign -- In the first system, money that goes directly to candidates is limited by size of contribution and has to be publicly disclosed -- In the other system, money raised and spent outside of the party and the candidate's campaigns does not have the same limitations or disclosure requirements

What Happens if there isn't a majority?

• You need 270 to get the majority - What happens if the most a candidate gets is 269? -- If no candidate gets a majority, the president's election goes to the House of Representatives and the vice president's goes to the Senate --- For the House, each STATE gets 1 vote --- For the Senate, each SENATOR gets 1 vote