PS 1100 Chap 9 Quiz

Why do television networks devote less coverage to the national party conventions than they used to?

Conventions are less dramatic, given that the presidential nominees are already known.

Which statement best describes the relationship between elections and public policy?

Elections influence public policy, and public policy influences elections.

What change did the McCain-Feingold Act make to the campaign finance system?

It banned soft money contributions.

The McGovern-Fraser Commission led to what change in the presidential nomination process?

It opened the process to broad-based public participation and the proliferation of primaries.

In U.S. elections, what is a nomination?

the official endorsement of a candidate for office by a political party

In what way is the presidential nomination contest tougher than the general election?

There are typically many more candidates.

In what way do American elections differ from those in other countries?

They are more open to anyone seeking public office.

How do most states allocate their electors?

They award all of the electors to the candidate who wins the most votes statewide.

How do elections affect citizens' views about the purpose of government?

They persuade citizens to view government as their servant, not their master.

What impact do presidential campaigns have on people's party identification?

They strengthen people's party identification.

Why did the Framers of the Constitution create the Electoral College?

They wanted the president to be selected by the nation's elite.

How would direct election of the president likely change the way candidates conduct their campaigns?

They would campaign in more states.

Which statement best summarizes Herbert Alexander's "doctrine of sufficiency" in elections?

To win, a candidate must have enough money, not necessarily the most money.

Research shows that campaigns can __________ voters, but they rarely __________ them.

activate; convert

A critic of the Supreme Court's decision in Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission would most likely argue that the decision __________.

allowed big money donors to corrupt the electoral process

Advance workers are essential to which aspect of presidential campaigning?

handling candidate scheduling and setting up for events

Which of the following steps typically comes first in a presidential campaign?

handling candidate scheduling and setting up for events

Thomas Patterson and Robert McClure's study of campaign ads reveals that people who watch candidates' television ads __________.

learn a significant amount about candidates' policy positions

Which states are overrepresented in the Electoral College?

low population states

Which type of voter would be most susceptible to conversion?

pro-life Democrats

The phenomenon of __________ helps to explain people's tendency to interpret events according to their predispositions.

selective perception

Media coverage of campaigns focuses mainly on __________.

the horse race and strategy

Which of the following is an important function of elections in American society?

to provide a regular outlet for political participation

For the 2018 congressional elections, an individual could give __________ in campaign contributions to a candidate per election.

up to $2,700