Nominations, Campaigns, And Elections

Question 0

The “invisible primary”

Answer 0

Period between a candidate’s announcement that he/her is running for president and the day the first primary vote is cast
Heavily influences the outcome of the primary season

Question 1

Presidential candidates “______________” when they announce their intention to run for the highest office in the land

Answer 1

Throw their hats in the ring

Question 2

Front runner status during the invisible primary is defines as….

Answer 2

The candidate who raised the most money

Question 3

“Front loading”

Answer 3

Each week different primaries are held

Entering into the election early

Question 4

When are regional primaries held?

Answer 4

“Super Tuesday”

Question 5

Stages of the election process

Answer 5

1. Invisible primary
2. Primary season
3. Regional primary
4. Nominating convention

Question 6

Key component of the nominating convention

Answer 6

1. Adoption of party platform
2. Keynote speech
3. Nominating speeches
4. Acceptance speeches of vice presidential and presidential candidates

Question 7

First presidential candidate to campaign in all 50 states

Answer 7

Nixon

Question 8

Winning delegate support takes place as a result of….

Answer 8

High-tech campaign to convince party regulars that a particular candidate is best suited to run the country

Question 9

Ways primaries are used

Answer 9

1. Proportional representation where delegates are selected based on percentage of the vote the candidate receives in the election
2. Winner takes all, where, as in the actual election, the candidate received a plurality receives all the delegates
3. Non-preferential primary where voters choose delegates who are not bound to vote for a winning primary candidate
4. A primary vote where all voters can express a preference but do not actually select delegates
5. A dual primary vote where presidential candidates are selected and a separate state delegate is also voted on

Question 10

The first “open” party convention was held by….

Answer 10

Jackson Democrats

Question 11

McGovern-Fraser Commission

Answer 11

Est. After disastrous 1968 Democrat Convention
Purpose was to revise rules of delegate representation for the 1972 Democrat convention
Recommended uniformity to delegate selection process
Emphasized minority, women, and youth representation
Est. Category known as super delegates (delegates and elected officials who were automatically able to vote at the convention)

Question 12

Unlike Democrats, Republicans do not have…

Answer 12

Superdelegates

Question 13

Unofficial kickoff of the general campaign for presidency

Answer 13

Labor Day

Question 14

The three presidential debates

Answer 14

1. Dealing with domestic issues
2. Foreign policy
3. Town hall format with questions by undecided voters

Question 15

As a result of the Citizens United Supreme Court case…

Answer 15

Independent groups were able to raise an unlimited amount of money to the total cost of the election

Question 16

Campaign finance reform aims to….

Answer 16

Remove the influence do special interests by limiting the amount and nature of political contributions by PACs and lobbyists

Question 17

Federal Election Campaign Act

Answer 17

FECA
Set up restrictions on the amount of advertising, created disclosure of contributions over $100, and limited the amount of personal contributions candidates and their relatives could make on their own behalf
Est. A side person Federal Election Commission
Reversed by Citizens United v. The FEC