Exam II American Presidency

Question 1

Choosing the President Options

Answer 1

Direct election by people
Selection by Congress
Selection by state legislatures
Electoral College

Question 2

The Original Selection Method for VP

Answer 2

Electors must vote for 2 people on the same ballot

One candidate receives vast majority of elector votes

Question 3

Importance of the 12th amendment

Answer 3

Separate Ballots for President and VP

Effort to pass amendment difficult

Its passage signaled a recognition of role of parties

Question 4

National Nominating Convention

Answer 4

Presidential nominees selected through national nominating conventions (1830s)

Originally congressional caucuses

Made up of delegates from each state

Delegates chosen by powerful state party leaders (influenced how delegates would vote)

Question 5

Conventions in the 1800s > Political!! why?

Answer 5

Variety of procedures, choosing delegates

Provided forum for party bosses

Mechanism for negotiation, mobilization

Helped unite party > national coalition

Question 6

Candidates were chosen how during NNC ?

Answer 6

By party leaders

Leaders preferred…

politically neutral,personally illustrious

reliable partisan servant

Question 7

What was the issue with NNC selection process

Answer 7

Critics: corrupt, undemocratic

• No elections, p.o. did not directly affect party’s selection of nominee

Question 8

Primary Elections

Answer 8

Progressive Reform, early 1900s

Intended to replace selection by elites

States adopted the reform over time

Negotiations w party leaders still critical

Question 9

Benefits of Primaries

Answer 9

Served to boost a candidate’s prospects

Demonstrate vote getting abilities, locales of support

Question 10

Influence of Television on primaries

Answer 10

Increased popularity and power of primaries

Question 11

Today’s Selection Process

Answer 11

Primary Election
Party Convention
General Election

Question 12

In today’s political environment, a candidate must declare his/her candidacy early, why?

Answer 12

Frontloading

Question 13

Primary Election

Answer 13

choose the nominee

each state holds primary election

Question 14

Party Convention

Answer 14

1. Nominee solidifies support, unites party
2. Energizes those doing the grunt work
3. Media attention: positive tone, coverage
4. Writing/Announcement of platform
5. Energize the base (turnout)

Question 15

General Election

Answer 15

• The president is NOT elected by popular vote

The Electoral College
- indirect mechanism

-again, involves separate elections

Question 16

How does the General Election work?

Answer 16

1. Each state has votes in the EC equal to the number of members in the House & Senate
2. The popular vote in a state is counted
   
   • The candidate with the most popular votes wins ALL the EC votes for that state (most states)
   3. The candidate needs a majority of the EC votes
      to be elected president
3. In December, the EC electors go to their state capital-cast their votes for their state’s popular vote
   winner-in January the new Congress opens the votes and
   announces the winner

Question 17

Political Considerations

Answer 17

The Public via
- Public Spectacle

  - Public Spectacle 
 - News Media
 - Political parties
 - Interest groups

Question 18

Importance of the Public

Answer 18

All presidents face same tough challenge

Obtain – Maintain public support

Question 19

How does the president monitor the public?

Answer 19

Public opinion polls

Election results

Mail from public

Question 20

Public Expectations

Answer 20

Are our expectations high / low?
(should accomplish v success)

Do expectations change quickly / slowly?

Why?

- candidate rhetoric
- socialization
- prominence/visibility
- project frustrations…individual
- lack of understanding of process

Question 21

Influences on public approval

Answer 21

• Party
  
  • Issues
  • Personality
  • International events (rally…)
  • Economy
  • Positivity bias
  • Media
  • Groups

Question 22

Is the president more popular at beginning / end?

Answer 22

Beginning

Implications for policy success?

Question 23

The beginning of his presidency is known as what?

Answer 23

Honeymoon period (varies!)

Question 24

Leading the Public

Answer 24

Presentation skills

Public predisposition

Loss Aversion

Public attentiveness

Focusing attention

Framing issues

Public relations (managing information…strategies?)