CHAPTER 10
Elections and Campaigns
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. Originally, presidential candidates were chosen by
a.
lottery.
b.
conventions.
c.
congressional caucus.
d.
state legislatures.
e.
governors.
2. After party caucuses when national nominating conventions dominated, the real power, in selecting
presidential nominees, was wielded by
a.
the voters in primary elections.
b.
local party leaders.
c.
political pundits.
d.
nonpartisan groups that sought to pick the best candidates.
e.
the voters in caucus elections.
3. When Hubert Humphrey won the Democratic nomination for the presidency in 1968, he did so
a.
without spending money on advertising.
b.
with considerable assistance from Republican voters.
c.
without raising money.
d.
in spite of opposition from party bosses.
e.
without competing in a single state primary.
4. By the time the 2012 presidential election was completed, the Obama campaign and the Romney
campaign, together with a dozen other contenders for the presidency, had raised and spent
approximately
a.
$600 million.
b.
$4 billion.
c.
$1.3 billion.
d.
$800 million.
e.
$500 million.
5. Most of the money that individual candidates spend during the course of a campaign is directed toward
a.
media-related activities.
b.
campaign staff and advisors.
c.
travel-related expenses.
d.
campaign literature.
e.
the national convention.
6. A comprehensive study on political advertisements found that the largest number emphasized
a.
stirring positive emotions.
b.
voters’ fears.
c.
civic duty.
d.
nonpartisan cooperation.
e.
candidates’ personal qualities.
7. The text suggests that the term campaigning has become a synonym for
a.
calculating.
b.
mobilizing.
c.
communicating.
d.
reflecting.
e.
fundraising.
8. A major difference between presidential campaigns and congressional campaigns is that
a.
fewer people vote in presidential elections.
b.
presidential incumbents can better serve their constituents.
c.
presidential incumbents can more easily avoid responsibility.
d.
presidential races are generally more competitive.
e.
congressional incumbents are more likely to be defeated.
9. Which of the following statements best summarizes the value of presidential coattails to congressional
candidates of the same party?
a.
They have never been a significant factor.
b.
They remain a significant factor today.
c.
They are increasingly significant for the Republicans.
d.
They are becoming more significant today.
e.
They are becoming much less significant today.
10. Voters tend to prefer a presidential candidate that has served in this type of elected office.
a.
Governor
b.
Member of the House of Representatives
c.
Ambassador
d.
Member of the Senate
e.
Supreme Court justice
11. In 2000, George Bush chose __________ as a theme for his campaign.
a.
the need for change
b.
trust
c.
compassionate conservatism
d.
competence
e.
strength
12. Each state is entitled to two U.S. Senators that serve __________ terms.
a.
six-year
b.
two-year
c.
four-year
d.
five-year
e.
life
13. Who decides the number of U.S. House of Representatives?
a.
Congress
b.
The Supreme Court
c.
The President
d.
State legislatures
e.
Party leaders
14. The apportionment of seats in the U.S. House of Representatives is detailed in
a.
Article I, Section 2 of the U.S. Constitution.
b.
Article II, Section 2 of the U.S. Constitution.
c.
Article IV, Section 1 of the U.S. Constitution.
d.
Article I, Section 5 of the U.S. Constitution.
e.
Article III, Section 3 of the U.S. Constitution.
15. When a district is so unequal that the votes of citizens are significantly diluted, it is
a.
malapportioned.
b.
reapportioned.
c.
regressed.
d.
gerrymandered.
e.
disbarred.
16. Since 1962, over __________ of House incumbents who sought reelection have won it.
a.
60 percent
b.
65 percent
c.
75 percent
d.
80 percent
e.
90 percent
17. When a district is drawn in a bizarre or unusual shape to assist a candidate, it is
a.
malapportioned.
b.
reapportioned.
c.
regressed.
d.
gerrymandered.
e.
disbarred.
18. After the last two census adjustments, which state has benefited the most by gaining the highest
number of seats in the House?
a.
California
b.
New York
c.
Florida
d.
Texas
e.
Illinois
19. Who said, “All politics is local”?
a.
Will Rodgers
b.
William Jennings Bryan
c.
Henry Lodge
d.
Huey Long
e.
“Tip” O’Neill
20. To win the presidential nomination as opposed to the general election, candidates generally present
themselves as
a.
more conservative.
b.
more liberal.
c.
more liberal if Republican, more conservative if Democratic.
d.
more liberal if Democratic, more conservative if Republican.
e.
moderate.
21. The first real test of a candidate vying for the nomination comes in
a.
Florida.
b.
California.
c.
Pennsylvania.
d.
Rhode Island.
e.
Iowa.
22. Democrats who participate in the Iowa caucus tend to be
a.
more liberal than Democrats generally.
b.
more conservative than Democrats generally.
c.
less likely to win the nomination compared to other candidates who do not participate.
d.
more moderate than Democrats generally.
e.
None of the above is true.
23. In the 1980 presidential election, many people voted for Ronald Reagan over Jimmy Carter as a vote
against Carter, not out of loyalty to Reagan. Such a vote is referred to as a(n)
a.
spin vote.
b.
“clothespin” vote.
c.
prospective vote.
d.
informed vote.
e.
inclined vote.
24. A __________ issue is one in which the rival candidates have opposing views on a question that also
divides the voters.
a.
valence
b.
primary
c.
secondary
d.
residual
e.
position
25. To be president, a person must be
a.
a natural born citizen.
b.
45 years old.
c.
a legalized citizen.
d.
40 years old.
e.
a veteran.
26. Nearly everyone is in agreement over a __________ issue, and the candidate fully supports the
public’s view.
a.
valence
b.
primary
c.
secondary
d.
position
e.
residual
27. To be a member of the House of Representatives, a person must be
a.
20 years old.
b.
25 years old.
c.
30 years old.
d.
35 years old.
e.
40 years old.
28. The following is an example of a valence issue.
a.
Richard Nixon being more supportive of anticrime measures than his rival
b.
Jimmy Carter appearing to favor honesty in government more than his opponent
c.
Ronald Reagan being more closely identified with a strong economy than his opponent
d.
George H. W. Bush being more closely linked to patriotism than his opponent
e.
All of above are true.
29. __________ issues have increased in importance in campaigns over the last half-century.
a.
Valence
b.
Primary
c.
Secondary
d.
Position
e.
Residual
30. Disputed congressional elections are decided by
a.
the Supreme Court.
b.
the state supreme courts.
c.
Congress.
d.
the state legislatures.
e.
state governors.
31. Members of the House and Senate can remove fellow members by a __________ vote.
a.
plurality
b.
majority
c.
two-thirds
d.
three-fourths
e.
unanimous
32. The Constitution’s doctrine of “privileged speech” has been interpreted by the Supreme Court to mean
a.
that members of Congress cannot be sued or prosecuted for anything that they say or write
in connection with their legislative duties.
b.
that members of Congress do not have privileged status protecting their legislative speech.
c.
that members of Congress can issue press releases that are libelous.
d.
that members of Congress can issue press releases with information from
classified documents.
e.
that members of Congress can be sued or prosecuted for what they have read into the
Congressional Record.
33. In recent elections, candidates have relied increasingly on
a.
appearances at malls to reach potential voters.
b.
large parades and rallies to reach potential voters.
c.
whistlestop train tours to reach potential voters.
d.
appearances at factories to reach potential voters.
e.
broadcasting to reach potential voters.
34. Short television ads are called
a.
visuals.
b.
networking.
c.
spots.
d.
message pieces.
e.
packaging.
35. You must declare in advance that you are a registered member of a political party in a(n) __________
primary.
a.
blanket
b.
open
c.
closed
d.
runoff
e.
static
36. In a(n) __________ primary, you decide when you enter the voting booth which party’s primary you
wish to participate in.
a.
blanket
b.
open
c.
closed
d.
runoff
e.
static
37. In a(n) __________ primary, you can vote for candidates of either party.
a.
blanket
b.
open
c.
closed
d.
runoff
e.
static
38. Of the following states, which has a blanket primary?
a.
Minnesota
b.
Georgia
c.
Kentucky
d.
Vermont
e.
Alaska
39. In __________, voters pick delegates and indicate their preferences among presidential candidates, but
the delegates are not legally bound to observe these preferences.
a.
Delegate selection only
b.
Delegate selection with advisory presidential preference
c.
Binding presidential preference
d.
Nonpartisan delegate
e.
Jungle election
40. In 1981, the Supreme Court ruled that _________ have the right to decide how delegates to national
conventions are selected.
a.
political parties
b.
state legislatures
c.
Congress
d.
governors
e.
secretaries of state
41. In 2012, this Republican candidate for the Senate decided to “go digital” by extensively using
Facebook and other social media in his campaign.
a.
Rafael Edward “Ted” Cruz
b.
Chris Christie
c.
John McCain
d.
Marco Rubio
e.
Howard Dean
42. It was somewhat unusual for Richard Nixon to agree to debate John Kennedy in 1960 because
a.
the setting and guiding rules gave a strong advantage to Kennedy.
b.
the number of viewers was almost certain to be low.
c.
the Republican Party objected to the debates.
d.
polls indicated Nixon was well ahead of Kennedy.
e.
Kennedy was less well known than Nixon.
43. Based on research, presidential debates seem to
a.
determine elections.
b.
be pivotal events.
c.
be watched by only a few insiders.
d.
have little effect on election results.
e.
help incumbents.
44. In 1976, President Ford had a slip of tongue when he erroneously implied
a.
that inflation was low.
b.
that budget deficit was not growing.
c.
that Poland was not part of the Soviet bloc.
d.
that Congress was not controlled by Democrats.
e.
that Reagan was the Governor of Texas.
45. An advantage of direct-mail appeals is that they
a.
cost very little.
b.
can be directed at specific subgroups of the population.
c.
can blanket the entire electorate.
d.
reach only the literate.
e.
can convince strong partisans to change their perspectives.
46. Funding of congressional elections comes from
a.
public sources only.
b.
private sources only.
c.
party sources only.
d.
a combination of public, party, and private sources.
e.
the parties and public sources.
47. The campaign finance law created in the 1970s was the direct by-product of
a.
the Watergate scandal.
b.
the passage of the Twenty-Sixth Amendment.
c.
decreasing vote turnout.
d.
wage and price controls.
e.
riots in Chicago.
48. Most of the money for congressional candidates comes from
a.
PACs.
b.
major corporations.
c.
small businesses.
d.
multinational corporations.
e.
individuals.
49. Soft money is money that is obtained by
a.
political parties.
b.
incumbents.
c.
challengers.
d.
party leaders.
e.
party leaders’ PACs.
50. The experience with 527 organizations in the 2004 elections suggests that campaign finance laws
a.
are an effective way to minimize interest group participation.
b.
are an effective way to reduce campaign spending.
c.
facilitate coordination of efforts between candidates and groups.
d.
are not likely to take money out of politics.
e.
have restricted speech considerably.
51. Which of the following does the text suggest is a critical factor in presidential elections?
a.
The vice-presidential nominee
b.
Political reporting
c.
The religion of the candidates
d.
The candidates’ positions on abortion
e.
None of the above is true.
52. One advantage that incumbents always have over challengers is
a.
their larger share of federal campaign monies.
b.
the political advantage of riding the president’s coattails.
c.
their use of free mailings, or franks.
d.
their freedom from FEC regulations.
e.
their freedom from libelous laws.
53. Many scholars argue that the foremost factor in determining how people vote is
a.
debate performance.
b.
perception of the best candidate.
c.
campaign spending.
d.
a candidate’s image.
e.
party identification.
54. Democrats could be predicted to win every presidential election if the only factor were
a.
candidate appeal.
b.
campaign issues.
c.
debate performance.
d.
money spent.
e.
party identification.
55. Which party tends to be more loyal to its candidate in presidential elections?
a.
Democratic
b.
Republican
c.
Independent
d.
Green
e.
No clear-cut difference exists among the parties.
56. When a voter votes for the candidate whom he or she considers more likely to do a better job in office,
that voting is referred to as
a.
“clothespin” voting.
b.
ideological voting.
c.
prospective voting.
d.
retrospective voting.
e.
sociotropic voting.
57. Which type of voting requires a lot of information about candidates and issues?
a.
Issueless voting
b.
Ideological voting
c.
Prospective voting
d.
Retrospective voting
e.
Sociotropic voting
58. The text suggests that political junkies are more likely to engage in __________ voting.
a.
issueless
b.
ideological
c.
prospective
d.
retrospective
e.
sociotropic
59 The text suggests that elections are decided by __________ voters.
a.
“clothespin”
b.
ideological
c.
prospective
d.
retrospective
e.
sociotropic
60. The text argues that the U.S. constitutional system was designed to make the adoption of radical
departures in policy
a.
efficient.
b.
easy.
c.
impossible.
d.
unnecessary.
e.
difficult.
TRUE/FALSE
1. Presidential candidates were first nominated by national conventions.
2. Presidential campaigning has changed drastically; and fundraising has lost its importance.
3. In the 1800s, most people voted straight party ticket.
4. Most of the money that candidates spend today is media related.
5. Research has found that highly emotional ads have the most effect on people who know the least
about politics.
6. In Israel and the Netherlands, the names of candidates for the legislature do not even appear on
the ballot.
7. In recent decades, most successful presidential candidates were former governors.
8. The authors suggest that the four Ts of developing a campaign strategy are tone, theme, timing,
and targets.
9. If you run for a seat in the House against the incumbent, the odds are very much against you.
10. The Constitution says nothing about congressional districts.
11. Malapportionment is when districts are drawn for pure political reasons.
12. The current size of the House at 435 members was set in the year 1911.
13. States were generally aggressive about malapportionment until courts restricted their ability to address
the problem.
14. The text suggests that members of Congress run for Congress by running against it.
15. A position issue is an issue that does not divide voters.
16. Since 1860, many of the great party realignments have been based on differing position issues.
17. A U.S. Senator must be at least 30 years old.
18. Valence issues have increased in importance in recent years.
19. The type of primary that allows a voter the greatest freedom to vote for candidates of different parties
is the blanket primary.
20. A higher percentage of Democrats than Republicans vote in elections.
ESSAY
1. Discuss how presidential candidates have to fundraise more today than in the past. Be sure to reference
the 2012 election.
2. Identify and define the types of consultants hired to work on political campaigns.
3. Compare and contrast presidential and congressional campaigns.
4. Explain the restrictions that federal law places on contributions to candidates by individuals and PACs
and the rules of eligibility for federal matching grants.
5. Define gerrymandering and malapportionment in Congressional districts.
6. What is the sophomore surge? Discuss the explanations that the author offers for this aspect of
elections.
7. Explain the difference between position issues and valence issues. Summarize the trends regarding
each in recent elections.
8. Summarize the qualifications for members of the House and Senate.
9. Identify and explain four types of primary elections.
10. If voting were only a matter of party identification, the Democrats would just about always win
presidential elections. Why hasn’t this been the case?