USA Politics Examples Flashcards
Give an example of two candidates arguing in the invisible primary, suggesting it is not worthwhile?
Elizabeth Warren and Bernie Sanders argued over whether women should be allowed to be President
Give an example of when televised debates within the invisible primary do not lead to in depth policy discussion?
In 2019, Joe Biden and Bernie Sanders did not go into depth about proposed policy, instead it was a media circus
What was the turnout of the 2020 Iowa Caucus?
9%
Give an example of when the invisible primaries in the USA were effective in scrutiny?
In the 2011 debate, Texas Gov Rick Perry could not remember the 3 state departments he would shut if President, he polled less than 1% following this
How many candidates stood in the Democrat primary race in 2020?
30
What was the turnout in the Montana primary (this was the highest turnout)?
45%
Give an example of when the electoral college preserved the voice of small states?
In 1787, small states wanted to be preserved (tyranny of majority). Wymoing and Alaska have 3 electoral college votes, they are smaller in population
Give an example of where the electoral college is lenient in its approach?
Maine and Nebraska use a congressional district system rather than a winner takes all making it more representative
Give an example of where the winning President received more than 50% of the popular vote?
In 27 out of 40 elections, the winner held more than 50% of the popular vote. Two horse race… national unity
Give an example of where small states are overrepresented in the electoral college?
Wyoming receives 1 electoral college vote for every 190,000 people
California receives 1 for every 720,000 people
Give an example of when the winner of the electoral college won less than 50% of the popular vote?
Trump won 46% of vote
Clinton won 48% of vote in 2016
Give an example of where Clinton won the Presidency in a wholly unrepresentative nature?
Won 70% of electoral college votes off 49% of vote
Give an example of where the electoral college discriminates against 3rd parties?
In 1968, George Wallace won 13.5% of the vote but only 5 states
In 2000, the Green Party won 3 million votes but no electoral college votes
What act allowed limited the spending of hard money?
The Federal Election Campaign Act 1974
Which Supreme Court ruling in 1976 struck down the FECA?
Buckley v Valeo = infringed on 1st amendment right
How much money did Obama raise in 2008 and why was this?
Spent $58 million due to opting out of the matching funds set by the FEC
How much did SuperPACs raise in 2020?
$1.2 million
Evidence to suggest that SuperPACs and PACs are good for democracy?
The Citizens United V FEC (2010) ruled that the FEC violated 1st amendment rights
What was the turnout of the 2020 Presidential race?
66%
What was the incumbency rate in the 2020 Congressional Elections?
93%
In 2016, how many more times did Senate incumbents out-raise their incumbents?
7 times
Give an example of when the incumbency factor proved great for the President?
Barack Obama
Give an example of when the incumbency factor is limited?
Donald Trump - failures over COVID and the economy
Give an example of when the coattails effect was significant?
Ronald Reagan helped 33 members of Congress to be elected
