Unit 5 Chapter 13

Question 1

Define the term: Direct Primaries

Answer 1

Primaries in which the people of a state vote for a candidate

Question 2

Define the term: Caucus

Answer 2

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

Question 3

Define the term: Closed Primaries

Answer 3

A primary where you must be a member of the party to vote in that primary

Question 4

Define the term: Open Primaries

Answer 4

A primary where you can vote for a member of any party

Question 5

Define the term: Crossover voting

Answer 5

Changing parties to vote in another parties primary election in order to attempt to sway the results

Question 6

Define the term: Party Platform

Answer 6

The positions a party holds in a given election

Question 7

Define the term: Superdelegates

Answer 7

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

Question 8

Define the term: Brokered Convention

Answer 8

A nominating convention in which no one candidate reaches the threshold needed to secure their parties nomination

Question 9

Define the term: Balance the Ticket

Answer 9

Selecting someone in the Vice Presidential role who makes up shortcomings of the candidate for President

Question 10

Define the term: General Election

Answer 10

The election held after the primaries that selects the person to hold that office, usually the presidency

Question 11

Define the term: Exit polls

Answer 11

Polls done at polling places that media outlets and campaigns use to try and determine election outcomes

Question 12

Define the term: Electoral College

Answer 12

The process by which the President is elected. Consists of people from each state totaling the number of reps and senators from each state

Question 13

Define the term: Inaugural Address

Answer 13

The Speech given by the newly elected president immediately after being sworn in

Question 14

Define the term: Executive Orders

Answer 14

A rule or order issued by the president which has the force and effect of law.

Question 15

Define the term: Pardons

Answer 15

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

Question 16

What are the disadvantages of the modern primary system?

Answer 16

Party leadership has little or no control of whoever the nominee is, resulting in a possibly radical and largely unelectable candidate

Question 17

How may a presidential nominee use a VP choice to unify the party.

Answer 17

By choosing a nominee of a different racial, gender, ideological, or regional group. Can also choose a rival from the primary process.

Question 18

Why is the electoral college important?

Answer 18

It gives less populous states a check against the more populous states to guard against tyranny of the majority

Question 19

Define the term: Tyranny of the Majority

Answer 19

The ability of the majority to override and force the minority to do or prevent them from doing something

Question 20

What are some drawbacks to the electoral college?

Answer 20

• 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

Question 21

Why is it important for a party’s candidate to occupy the White House

Answer 21

Determines which party will control a large part of the narrative, and which party will get to make political and judicial appointments

Question 22

How would executive orders and presidential pardons impact a presidents legacy?

Answer 22

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