Unit 5 Chapter 13 Flashcards
Define the term: Direct Primaries
Primaries in which the people of a state vote for a candidate
Define the term: Caucus
A physical meeting of constituents where they physically move to cast their vote. The person below a threshold is removed from the ballot and another round repeats
Define the term: Closed Primaries
A primary where you must be a member of the party to vote in that primary
Define the term: Open Primaries
A primary where you can vote for a member of any party
Define the term: Crossover voting
Changing parties to vote in another parties primary election in order to attempt to sway the results
Define the term: Party Platform
The positions a party holds in a given election
Define the term: Superdelegates
Delegates assigned to party leadership or prominent people within the party to represent the establishment. Used to help prevent a party nominee from becoming too radical
Define the term: Brokered Convention
A nominating convention in which no one candidate reaches the threshold needed to secure their parties nomination
Define the term: Balance the Ticket
Selecting someone in the Vice Presidential role who makes up shortcomings of the candidate for President
Define the term: General Election
The election held after the primaries that selects the person to hold that office, usually the presidency
Define the term: Exit polls
Polls done at polling places that media outlets and campaigns use to try and determine election outcomes
Define the term: Electoral College
The process by which the President is elected. Consists of people from each state totaling the number of reps and senators from each state
Define the term: Inaugural Address
The Speech given by the newly elected president immediately after being sworn in
Define the term: Executive Orders
A rule or order issued by the president which has the force and effect of law.
Define the term: Pardons
The power of the president to forgive someone of an offense which relieves someone of some or all legal consequences as a result of criminal conviction
What are the disadvantages of the modern primary system?
Party leadership has little or no control of whoever the nominee is, resulting in a possibly radical and largely unelectable candidate
How may a presidential nominee use a VP choice to unify the party.
By choosing a nominee of a different racial, gender, ideological, or regional group. Can also choose a rival from the primary process.
Why is the electoral college important?
It gives less populous states a check against the more populous states to guard against tyranny of the majority
Define the term: Tyranny of the Majority
The ability of the majority to override and force the minority to do or prevent them from doing something
What are some drawbacks to the electoral college?
- People in smaller states have greater power in the vote than other votes
- It reinforces a two party system (which can also be good depending on your point of view)
- It can disenfranchise voters
- It can clash with the popular vote
Why is it important for a party’s candidate to occupy the White House
Determines which party will control a large part of the narrative, and which party will get to make political and judicial appointments
How would executive orders and presidential pardons impact a presidents legacy?
Strengthen - Locking the next administration into a policy decision
Strengthen - Pardons can be used to rectify a miscarriage of justice in favor of law
Weaken - Pardons could be controversial or be viewed by the people as unworthy or unjust
Weaken - Could put in place an EO that is easily overridden or rejected by the people
