AP Review Quiz Chapter 8

All of the groups mentioned (fundraisers, accountants, lawyers, advertising specialists, direct mail specialists, polling specialists, volunteers, and advisers) are truly essential to a presidential campaign organization. Fundraisers are needed to gather financial support, accountants ensure proper financial management, lawyers handle legal matters, advertising specialists create effective campaign ads, direct mail specialists handle mass mailings, polling specialists conduct surveys to gauge public opinion, volunteers assist with various campaign tasks, and advisers provide strategic guidance. Therefore, all these groups play crucial roles in running a successful presidential campaign.

Most of the money in congressional races comes from individual donors, which goes against the common belief that it primarily comes from other sources such as corporations or special interest groups. This suggests that individual citizens play a significant role in funding political campaigns and have a direct impact on the outcome of elections.

Political campaigns have become increasingly complex and sophisticated, requiring specialized expertise. Political consultants are professionals who provide strategic advice, manage campaign operations, and handle various aspects of the campaign, such as messaging, media relations, and voter outreach. Party leaders may still play a role in the campaign, but the day-to-day responsibilities and decision-making are often delegated to political consultants who have the necessary skills and experience to navigate the modern campaign landscape. Therefore, it is true that political consultants, not party leaders, assume responsibility for getting a candidate elected in most campaigns today.

In 1911, Congress made the decision to fix the size of the House at 435 members. This was done because they believed that this number would provide a balance between representation and efficiency. By limiting the size of the House, they aimed to prevent it from becoming too large and unwieldy, while still ensuring that each state had a fair number of representatives based on their population. This decision has remained in place since then, with each state being allocated a certain number of representatives based on the population data from the decennial census.

Direct-mail appeals have the advantage of being able to be directed at specific subgroups of the population. This means that organizations or individuals can tailor their messages and target specific demographics or interest groups that are more likely to be receptive to their appeals. By doing so, they can increase the effectiveness of their communication and potentially achieve higher response rates. This targeted approach allows for a more efficient use of resources and can help ensure that the message reaches the intended audience.

The correct answer is New York, Texas, California. These three states have a large concentration of Hispanic voters. New York has a significant Hispanic population, particularly in cities like New York City. Texas has a large Hispanic population due to its proximity to Mexico and its history of Spanish colonization. California also has a large number of Hispanic voters, with cities like Los Angeles having a substantial Hispanic population. These three states are therefore important battlegrounds for politicians seeking to secure the Hispanic vote.

Presidential races are generally more competitive compared to congressional campaigns. This is because the presidency is a highly coveted position with significant power and influence, leading to intense competition among candidates. In contrast, congressional campaigns often face incumbents who have established a strong base of support and are more likely to be reelected. The competitive nature of presidential races can be attributed to the national spotlight, media attention, and the higher stakes involved in determining the leader of the country.

Prospective voting involves voting according to future expectations. This means that voters consider the promises, policies, and plans of the candidates and make their decision based on which candidate they believe will best serve their interests and bring about positive change in the future. Instead of focusing on past performance or party identification, prospective voting looks forward and evaluates the potential outcomes of each candidate's actions and decisions.

Parties tend to betray their platforms once they are in office. This suggests that political parties often fail to fulfill their promises and commitments once they gain power. They may deviate from their stated principles and policies, compromising on their original platform to accommodate various factors such as public opinion, political pressure, or personal interests. This phenomenon is not uncommon in politics, where compromises and strategic decisions are often made, leading to a departure from the party's initial platform.

The correct answer is "sophomore surge." This term refers to the increase in voter support that a member of the House receives in their first bid for reelection. It is called a "sophomore surge" because it typically occurs during their second term, or sophomore term, in office. This surge in support can be attributed to factors such as increased name recognition, incumbency advantage, and the ability to build on previous accomplishments and relationships with constituents.

The correct answer is $2,000. The Bipartisan Campaign Finance Reform Act of 2002 increased the individual limit on contributions to $2,000 per candidate per election. This act aimed to regulate the influence of money in politics by placing restrictions on campaign financing and contributions. By raising the limit to $2,000, the act aimed to strike a balance between allowing individuals to support candidates they believe in while also preventing excessive influence from wealthy donors.

The statement is false because primary voters and voters in the general election are not always similar. Primary voters tend to be more politically engaged and ideologically extreme compared to general election voters. Primary voters are typically more committed to a specific party or candidate and have stronger partisan preferences. On the other hand, general election voters are a broader and more diverse group that includes independent voters and those who may not be as politically active or informed. Therefore, the characteristics and preferences of primary voters and general election voters can vary significantly.

"Tip" O'Neill is the correct answer because he is widely credited with popularizing the phrase "all politics is local." This phrase emphasizes the idea that politicians must pay attention to the concerns and needs of their constituents in order to be successful. O'Neill, a former Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, was known for his ability to connect with people on a local level and understand the importance of addressing their issues. His statement reflects the belief that local issues and interests have a significant impact on politics at all levels.

Retrospective voting refers to the practice of voters basing their decisions on the performance of incumbents. In an election, this means that voters assess the track record of the current officeholder and make a judgment based on their satisfaction or dissatisfaction with their performance. Typically, incumbents benefit from retrospective voting as they can highlight their accomplishments and experience. Therefore, the correct answer is false because retrospective voting usually favors the incumbent rather than the challenger.

Congressional elections are not funded in part by public funds. Instead, they are primarily funded by private donations from individuals, political action committees (PACs), and political parties. Public funds are typically used for financing presidential elections through the Presidential Election Campaign Fund, but not for congressional elections. Therefore, the statement that congressional elections are funded in part by public funds is false.

The Republican party was clearly the dominant party from 1896 to 1932 because during this period, the party won seven out of nine presidential elections. Republican presidents such as William McKinley, Theodore Roosevelt, and Herbert Hoover implemented policies that favored business interests and promoted economic growth. Additionally, the Republican party benefited from a strong base in the industrialized North and had support from conservative rural voters. The Great Depression in the early 1930s, which occurred under Republican President Hoover, marked a turning point in public opinion and led to a shift in dominance towards the Democratic party.

In 1980, there was an election that resulted in significant changes in taxes, spending, and regulatory practices. This suggests that the candidate or party elected in 1980 implemented policies aimed at reducing taxes, decreasing government spending, and deregulating certain practices. This election marked a shift towards a more conservative economic approach, with a focus on limited government intervention in the economy.

Incumbents have an advantage over challengers because they can use free mailings, known as the franking privilege. This allows them to communicate with their constituents at no cost, which helps them to maintain visibility and stay connected with voters. Challengers, on the other hand, do not have access to this privilege and often have to rely on other, more costly methods to reach potential voters. Therefore, the use of free mailings gives incumbents an edge in their campaigns.

Legislators who think of themselves as delegates are most likely to follow their constituent's wishes closely because they believe their role is to represent the interests and opinions of the people who elected them. These legislators prioritize the desires and concerns of their constituents over their own personal beliefs or party affiliations. They view themselves as a direct voice for the people and strive to make decisions that align with the wishes of those they represent.

A prospective voter is someone who has a strong interest in local politics and is knowledgeable about each candidate's stance on key issues. This type of voter is actively engaged in gathering information about the candidates and is likely to make an informed decision when voting.

Debates are usually advantageous to the challenger only because they provide an opportunity for the challenger to present their arguments, challenge the opponent's viewpoint, and potentially persuade the audience. The challenger can use the debate platform to showcase their knowledge, rhetorical skills, and ability to counter arguments effectively. On the other hand, the opponent may face the challenge of defending their position against the challenger's attacks. Therefore, debates often offer a greater advantage to the challenger in terms of presenting their case and influencing the audience.

Presidential nominees were chosen by caucuses of their party's members in Congress in the early 19th century. This means that during this time period, the selection of presidential nominees was primarily done through caucuses, where members of the party in Congress would gather and decide on the nominee. This method of nomination selection was prevalent until the early 19th century, after which it underwent changes due to various factors such as the Reform Era and the Great Depression.

Iowa holds the first test of candidate's appeal in presidential races. This means that it is the first state to hold caucuses or primaries during the election season, allowing candidates to gauge their popularity and appeal among voters. This test is significant because it sets the tone for the rest of the campaign and can greatly influence a candidate's chances of securing the nomination.

A valence issue is one in which a candidate fully supports the public's view on a matter about which nearly everybody is in agreement. This means that the candidate aligns with the general consensus and does not deviate from popular opinion on the issue.

In 1964, the election brought about wide-scale adoption of social assistance programs. This can be attributed to the fact that Lyndon B. Johnson, who was elected as the President of the United States in that year, implemented his "Great Society" agenda which aimed to eliminate poverty and racial injustice. As part of this agenda, several social assistance programs such as Medicare, Medicaid, and the Food Stamp Act were introduced, leading to significant changes in the social welfare system. Therefore, the election of 1964 had a significant impact on the adoption of social assistance programs.