Selecting Candidates
In the early 1800s, a small group of party leaders selected candidates in meetings called caucuses. But the ________ system lost popularity because it left out too many other party members.
(6 letters)
caucus
Upon talking office, the President chooses a Cabinet, appoints people to government jobs, and begins working with the ____ to make laws.
(8 letters)
Congress
In a democratic nation, such as the ____ ____, the party out of power often points out the weakness in the policies of the party in power and offers alternative programs.
(2 words, 12 letters)
United States
Raising funds for election campaigns is an important activity of political parties. The cost of nominating and electing all United States public officials in a presidential election year is over $1 ___.
(7 letters)
billion
By about 1850, party members chose delegates to represent them at nominating conventions. But many delegates were told or paid to vote for ______ favored by party bosses and political machines.
(10 letters)
candidates
At the beginning of each new session of Congress, both parties in the House of Representatives and the ____ hold meetings to elect various officers and committee members.
(6 letters)
Senate
In the United States (U.S.) Congress, some members of the party that does not control the presidency may support ____ program against the wishes of their party leaders.
(10 letters)
President's
United states parties spend much more money on election campaigns than do parties in other nations, partly because most United States (U.S.) campaigns last longer and employ ____ and other costly means of communication.
(10 letters)
television
in the early 1900s, many states began to replace the convention system with primary elections to select candidates. In a _____ ______, the voters choose party candidates to run for office.
(2 words/ 15 letters)
primary election
Members of the House choose the Speaker to be the body's presiding officer. In the Senate, the Vice President presides. A president pro tempore serves in the absence of the ____ _____.
(2 words/13 letters)
Vice President
When the President is of a ____ political party than the party that controls Congress, the President is forced to rely on leaders from both parties to get programs passed.
(9 letters)
different
Campaigns are expensive but necessary to win elections. For example, it can cost millions of dollars to finance a campaign for a Senat seat, and tens of ____ for a presidential campaign.
(8 letters)
millions
Today, Republicans and Democrats rely on state primary elections and in some states, caucuses to select their candidates for President. The parties officially nominate these candidates at their national _______.
(10 letters)
convention
Both Democrats and Republics in the House and Senate _____ a floor leader to direct their party's activities during debates on proposed legislation.
(5 letters)
elect
Congress may refuse to pass legislation the President wants. On the other hand, the President may veto legislation passed by Congress and Congress seldom overrides a ____.
(4 letters)
veto
Most campaign expenses are for television and ____ advertising, campaign consultants, polls, printing charges, telephone bills, campaign buttons, posters, and salaries.
(5 letters)
radio
Once each party selects its candidate for various local, state, and national positions, the voters decide which one wins office. Party leaders hope that their candidates have voters' appeal and experience for the _____.
(6 letters)
office
Each party in the House and Senate elects a whip. The ___ tries to assure as much party discipline as possible by persuading members to vote along party lines.
(4 letters)
whip
The systems of checks and balances enable one branch of government: legislative, executive, or justicial, to limit the power of another branch. For example, the judicial branch can declare a law ____.
(16 letters)
unconstitutional
Some campaign funds come from the small contributions of thousands of party members and supporters, but most of the money comes from large ____ by wealthy people and political action committees.
(9 letters)
donations