Media
Name two Republican news sources.
Fox News and Breitbart News.
What are the specifics of electoral voting?
Electors vote on the Monday following the second Wednesday in December
Sign and seal ballots and mail to the U.S. Senate
Senate opens and counts ballots in January
What are the government's function?
1. Maintain national defense
2. Provide public services ( highways, schools, hospitals)
3. Preserve order (national guard)
4. Socialize the young (education)
5. Collect taxes
What does the NAACP do?
Worked to end racial lynching and segregation, founded in 1909
Since then, they have helped abolish the death penalty in 5 states
Helped register 375,000 votes for the 2021 election
What is self-announcement?
Oldest form
Still used in small and local elections
Also used by candidates who want to run as independents
Examples: George Wallace in 1968, Eugene McCarthy om 1976, John Anderson in 1980 and Ross Perot in 1992
Avoid political parties and great for small, local elections
What is Horse Race Coverage?
When the focus is on polling data and public perception rather than candidate policies.
How do you win the electoral process?
In order to win a candidate must earn 270 electoral votes (a majority of the 538 possible)
This makes the Electoral Map the talk of election night
A winner must be declared by January 20th or the Vice President takes over
What does political knowledge do?
1. Fosters civic virtues (ie. tolerance)
2. Helps people identify beneficial policies and vote for them
3. Promotes active participation
What does the NAR-RAL do?
Pro Choice organization
Whenever a prospective new Supreme Court justice is nominated, the NARAL examines the candidates past record and statements on abortion and reports them in position papers. In one notable instance, research the NARAL conducted on Robetehr Bork pointed out contradictions in his record, leading the U.S. Senate to vote against his confirmation to the high court in 1987.
What is caucus?
Candidates selected by those in Washington DC
Early days used by the parties to select their candidates for president
Congressional Caucuses
Still used in some local elections
Still used by some states for presidential nomination
How do news organizations show their bias?
They want to make sure that the choices they make to stream are as interesting as possible so they make the most money possible.
What are the flaws of the electoral college?
There are 3 major flaws with the electoral college
Winner of popular vote isn’t guaranteed to win election
Constitution doesn’t force electors to vote the way of the popular vote
If no candidate receives 270 House of Reps makes the decision
What is public policy?
1. Congressional Statute
2. Presidential Action
3. Court Decision
4. Budget Choices
5. Regulation
What is the US Chamber of Commerce?
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is the biggest organizational splendor in American politics. Between 1998 and 2014, this organization representing more than 3 million members spent a whopping $1 billion - equivalent to the GDP of countries like Mongolia and Belize.
Usually supports GOP candidates
What is convention?
Major parties used instead of caucus starting in the 1830’s
Why? The country outgrew caucus
First party to have a convention was
Anti-masons in 1831, Higs had a convention the same year
Democrats in 1832
Basic procedure
Criticized and replaced in early 20th century
Does Not include voters
How do candidates rely on advertising?
Candidates rely heavily on media advertising in order to persuade the public for their vote. The amount of money they spent on advertising in the 2021 presidential election exceeded $7,000,000,000 which exceeded the record.
What is the district plan?
States would have 2 electors to represent state as a whole
Each district in the state would also have an elector to represent them
What is traditional democratic theory?
1. Equality in voting
2. Participation
3. Understanding
4. Citizens control agenda
5. Inclusion
What do interests groups do?
Bring lawsuits against the government
Make donation to candidates
Influence lawmakers (lobbying)
Advertise issues on media/social media
Contribute to campaign ads (tv/radio)
What is the Direct Primary?
Election held within the party to pick the party’s candidates for the general election
Every state had some form today
Most states Requires major parties to use for important office
Closely regulated in most states so that state controls them
What are the roles of the free press?
To...
Serve as a ”watchdog” over the government
Set the public agenda
Support the exchange of ideas information and opinions
What is a direct popular election entail?
Do away with the electoral college all together.
Winner of the citizens popular vote is the president
1. Increased technical expertise
2. Limited participation
3. Escalating campaign costs
4. Diverse political interests
What is the difference between political parties and interest groups?
Political parties work to get candidates elected
Interest groups work to get laws passed
What do Political Parties do?
Nominating Candidates
Informing and activating supporters
Bonding agent
Governing
Water dog