Nelson Chapter 3

Question 1

Clinton’s Pros/Cons as a candidate

Answer 1

1. Pros- secured big money support/fundraising, political experience, moderate views, received minority support
2. Cons- weak candidate in with ties to Wall Street/political insider

Question 2

Sander’s Pros/Cons as a candidate

Answer 2

1. Pros- told it like it was approach, got younger votes, fed off of Hillary’s weak candidacy
2. Cons- secular/religious views hurt him, old age, “Democratic Socialist” and not a Democrat, socialist ideals

Question 3

Explanations for GOP support of the four anti-establishment candidates (Trump, Carson, Cruz, Fiorina)

Answer 3

1. People dissatisfied with political class often turn to outsider candidates as an antidote.
2. Attracted by hating Democrats but not loving the Republican party itself

Question 4

Comey/FBI late October example of priming

Answer 4

1. Priming- voters evaluate candidates based on any criteria

2. Clinton’s trustworthiness hurt her badly throughout her campaign, Comey returned this weakness to the public

Question 5

Six states that changed sides from 2012 to 2016

Answer 5

1. All moved from Democrat to Republican
2. Florida, Iowa, Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin
3. Won by close margins with Republican campaigns centered in most of the states

Question 6

Partisan-motivated reasoning and its impact in 2016

Answer 6

1. Partisan-motivated reasoning- parties want to see the world in the best way when in power, and as the worst when not
2. Caused Republicans to believe economic declines had happened under Obama, which was the opposite for Democrats

Question 7

Race/Ethnicity Voting Patterns in 2016

Answer 7

1. Minorities voted overwhelmingly for Clinton

2. Trump consolidated the white vote and increased it

Question 8

Gender and 2016 Voting Patterns

Answer 8

1. Women favored Clinton, but not an extreme amount

2. Men were opposite and sided with Trump

Question 9

Population Density/Geography and 2016 Voting Patterns

Answer 9

1. Democrats did well in urban, Republicans in rural

2. Great Plains/West more rural=Republican. West/East Coasts more urban=Democrat.

Question 10

Dissatisfaction with government and 2016 voting patterns

Answer 10

1. Most people dissatisfied with government voted for Trump, which a larger amount in the exit polls
2. Trump’s emphasis on bringing change attracted voters