Download Unit-6-2

A right and a
responsibility of
citizenship.
18 years old
 U.S. Citizen
 State Resident
 Mentally
Competent
 Not a convicted
felon

Must register 29
days before the
election at:
 DMV
 Registrar’s Office
 Mail in
Application


Increased turn-out
in Presidential
Elections
Participation more
likely:
Education
Age
Income




Lack Interest
Forget to register
Not informed on
issues
Participation less
likely:
Income
Age
Education
Qualified citizens have a
responsibility of stay
informed about campaign
issues and exercise their
right to vote.
Organizations made up of people who share
similar ideas about the way the country
should be governed
Recruit and
Nominate
Candidates for
Public Offices
 Primaries-
Elect
Candidates
 Conventions
- Name
Candidates
Help
Candidates
Win Elections
Raise money for
campaigns
 Campaign for
candidates


Most important
function since
Candidate will
support party
goals if elected
Set Party
Goals
 Platform-
Statement of
party’s
positions of
major issues
Leadership
 Work
to
pass laws
that
support the
party’s
goals
Watchdog
 Monitor
the
actions of
officeholders
to insure that
they are
honest and
hardworking
Help
Citizens
Educate citizens
about issues
 Offer
opportunities for
citizens to be
involved in the
political process.

Left
Democrats
Center
Moderates
Right
Republicans






“Liberal”
On the left
Support government financed programs to
help the poor
Emphasize domestic programs
More/Expanded Government
Supported by workers, laborers, lower and
middle income levels






“Conservative”
On the Right
Support individual initiative and economic
growth to help the poor
Emphasize foreign policy and a strong
military
Less/Limited Government
Gain support from big businesses and
upper income levels
A person who avoids the
extremes of either party
The American political system is dominated
by the Democrats and the Republicans; but
third parties play an important role.
Similarities
BETWEEN
REPUBLICANS &
DEMOCRATS






Have both liberal and
conservative views
Organize to win
elections
Appeal to the political
center
Influence public
policies
Reflect citizens views
Want to associate with
many people to get
more votes
Differences
BETWEEN
REPUBLICANS &
DEMOCRATS
Party
Platforms
(positions
on major
issues)
Third parties play an
important role in
American politics.
 Introduce
new ideas
 Support a particular issue
 Revolve around a person (Ross
Perot; Ralph Nadar)
 Rarely win elections
 Change the outcome on an
election
Ross Perot
Reform Party
Ralph Nader
Green Party
Teddy RooseveltProgressive party
The President and
the Vice President
are elected by a
majority vote in the
Electoral College.
 Each
state has
the same
number of
electors as it
does Congress
Members
# of Senators
+
# of Representatives =
__________________
# of electoral votes in
each state

538 Total Electoral
Votes

270 Electoral votes
needed to win the
election
WHY
Why do we
need
electors?
What made the
framers of the
Constitution
create this
system for the
election of the
President and
Vice-President?
Representation
Question for the
framers:
How to balance
power between
the large and
small states?
 Result:
Electoral
votes for each
state are
determined
by population
Fear
Issue for the
framers: People
are not
educated
enough to
make a good
decision.
 Result:
Electors who
were educated
about the
process would
make the
official vote.
Knowledge
Issue for the
framers:
Voters do not
know about
candidates
from other
states.
 Result:
Using
electors would
keep people
from only
voting for
candidates
from their
state.
Electoral College
The President and the Vice President are elected by a
majority vote in the electoral college.
Each state has the
same number of
electors as it does
Congress Members
# of Senators
+
# of Representatives =
____________________
# of electoral votes in
each state
Process
Each party picks
electors who
promise to vote for
their party’s
candidate.
Popular vote: first
Tuesday after the
first Monday in
November
Winner take all
system
The candidate with
most votes in a state
wins all of the
electoral votes for
that state.
Electoral Vote:
December
Electors cast the
official votes for
President and Vice
President.
Effect of the Electoral
College on Campaigns
Candidates
Small states can make
concentrate on states the difference in close
with more electoral
elections
votes (California, New
York)
Favors a 2-party
It is possible to tie
(269 electoral votes
system
each)
What if… no candidate receives
270 votes?
A TIE!!!
House of
Representatives
selects the President
Senate
selects the Vice
President
T.V.
Radio
Newspapers
Internet

The editorial
section of the
newspaper, a
televised debate or
T.V. program can
provide candidates
and experts a way
to present
opposing
viewpoints on the
issues.
Air Different
Points of
View
Call
Attention
to
Important
Issues

By printing
articles or airing
stories about a
particular issue,
the media is able
to create interest
in a topic where
none existed.
Government
officials and
candidates use
the media to
communicate
with the public.

Identify candidates
& their platforms
(stand/opinion on
the issues)
How can voters
evaluate
speeches,
literature and
advertisements
for accuracy?
BY:




Separating fact
from opinion
Detecting bias
Evaluating sources
of information
Identifying
propaganda
A technique
to sway
people’s
attitudes,
opinions
and
behaviors
Mass media
and
technology
enable the
spread of
propaganda
Political
candidates
use
propaganda
to convince
voters to
support
them.
“The latest poll shows that the
majority of people support Eva
Henry for President.”
Everyone’s Doing It!
“Eva Henry is clearly the
most qualified
candidate.”
Use facts to favor
an opinion
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
Obama worked as a
community organizer
immediately after
graduation.
He also worked as a
university professor,
political activist, and lawyer
before serving in the Illinois
Senate from 1997 to 2004.
He was propelled to
stardom by giving the 2004
democratic convention
keynote speech.
Obama has sponsored bills
ranging from lobbying and
electoral fraud, climate
change, weapons control,
nuclear terrorism, and
better veterans care.
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McCain has never
voted for a tax
increase.
McCain will continue
the Bush tax cuts,
McCain will not cut and
run in Iraq,
McCain sponsored
legislation to keep the
Fairness Doctrine from
rearing its head again,
McCain supports
school choice
“A vote for Eva Henry is a
vote for Virginia’s values.”
Uses words that sound
good but have little or no
meaning
“Candidate Eva Henry is corrupt
and caters to interest groups. In
Fact Henry isn’t even her legal
name! ”
Use of an unpleasant label
or description to harm an
opposing candidate.
“Vote for Eva Henry, she
understands the problems
of Virginia.”
Candidates describe themselves
as regular people; average,
hard working citizens.
“ Bill Clinton says, “Eva Henry is
a candidate you can trust. She
has my vote!”
An endorsement from a
celebrity.
$
Rising
Campaign
Costs
$
Lots of fund
raising by
candidates and
parties
Limits
opportunities
to run for
office.
Gives an
advantage
to rich
people
Limits
opportunities
to run for
office.
Interest
Groups have
more power
Encourage
PACs
Campaign
Finance
Reform
Rising campaign costs have
led to efforts to reform
campaign finance laws. Limits
exist on the amount
individuals may contribute to
political candidates and
campaigns.
06oENya4
fundraiser
How individuals, interest groups and
the media influence the actions of the
government.
What influences
people’s
opinions??
•Family & Friends
•Media (Print and
T.V.)
•Importance
Why might a group have more influence
than an individual?
•Louder Voice
•More $
•Represent more people
Public Policy
The actions of the
government as they deal with
the issues of the day.


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Voting
Being informed
Participating in politics
Expressing opinions:
* Letters to politicians
* Demonstrating
Campaigning
Lobbying
Joining interest groups

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
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Interest Groups: organizations that seek to
influence government policy
Identify and publicize issues
Offer different viewpoints
Lobby- seeking to influence legislators to
introduce legislation or to vote for or against
a bill.
Donate $
Interest Groups
Interest groups:
An interest
group is a
structured
organization of
people with
shared attitudes
who attempt to
influence public
policy.
-Vary in size, goals
and budget
-Attempt to
influence both the
government and public
opinion
-Hire lobbyists to
represent their
interests
PACs
Political Action
Committees
Established to
raise money to
support an issue or
candidate
MEDIA
The media influences public
policy by:
•Bringing attention to issues
oShowing different views on issues
oHolding candidates accountable
oAllowing officials to communicate with
citizens
Public Policy is influenced by:
Individuals
•Vote
•campaign
•Keep informed
•Express Opinions
by:
-Writing letters
to politicians
-Demonstrating
-Lobbying
•Join interest
groups
Interest Groups
•Identify and publicize
issues
•Offer different
viewpoints
•Lobby
•Donate Money $$$
Media
•Draws
attention to
issues
•Shows
different views
on issues
•Holds
candidates
accountable
•Allows officials
to communicate
with citizens
Political Action Committees
oPACs are the political branch of a
special interest group.
oPACs raise voluntary donations of
money from people who agree with their
cause.
oThey give money to elections
campaigns of people they support and to
the political party that will work for
their goals.
One purpose of political
parties is to
A. cast electoral votes.
B. set the age for voting.
C. administer literacy tests.
D. recruit and nominate
candidates for public office.
A candidate needs _________ to
win the presidency
A. 270 Electoral votes
B. the majority of the popular vote
C. a majority vote in the House of
Representatives
D. All of the above
The president is chosen by the
House of Representatives if
A. different candidates win the popular vote
and the electoral vote
B. no candidate wins the majority in the
Electoral College
C. the candidate with the most votes is already
a member of congress
D. there is widespread electoral fraud
A political candidate who
accuses his or her opponent of
"reckless spending" is using
the
A. name-calling technique.
B. glittering generality technique.
C. plain-folks appeal.
D. card-stacking technique.
This type of election has the
highest voter turn out:
A. mayoral
B. gubernatorial
C. congressional
D. presidential
Which of the following is NOT a
strategy to use when
evaluating campaign ads?
A. believe propaganda
B. evaluate sources of information
C. separate fact and opinion
D. detect bias
Which of the following is a
voting requirement in Virginia?
A. 21 years of age
B. US citizen and a resident of VA
C. passage of DMV test
D. pass a literacy test
An organization made up of people who share
similar ideas about how the government
should be run are:
A. Interest Groups
B. Political Parties
C. Political Action Committees
D. candidates
Which of the following is NOT a
similarity of Republicans and
Democrats?
A. Organize to win elections
B. party Platforms
C. Appeal to the political center
D. Influence public opinion
During an examination for
naturalization, an applicant must
A. prove that he or she can read, write, and
speak English acceptably.
B. show that he or she believes in the
principles of the U.S. Constitution.
C. prove that he or she knows something
about U.S. history and government.
D. all of the above
The U.S. federal system of
government was established by
A. Magna Carta.
B. the Constitution.
C. the Articles of Confederation.
D. the English Bill of Rights
The statement "to secure the
blessings of liberty" is
A. listed in the Mayflower Compact.
B. one of the six goals of government stated in
the Preamble.
C. the opening statement of the Declaration of
Independence.
D. found in the Articles of Confederation.
One of the basic ideals of
American government is that
A. government should be based on the consent
of the governed.
B. majority rule can be overruled by
presidential veto.
C. the Constitution should be easily amended.
D. the executive branch should be the most
powerful branch.
What would happen if a proposed
amendment were not ratified by
three fourths of the states?
A. It could be ratified by two thirds of the
states.
B. The president could ratify the amendment.
C. Congress could ratify the amendment.
D. The amendment would not be added to the
Constitution.
If the president vetoes a
proposed law,
A. it can never become law.
B. Congress can override the veto with a twothirds vote of both houses.
C. the proposed law is sent to state
conventions for approval.
D. the Supreme Court has the power to pass
the law anyway.
The most important function of
political parties is to:
A. Help candidates win elections
B. Monitor the actions of
officeholders
C. set party goals
D. Help citizens
Techniques used to influence
opinion are called:
A. Editorials
B. Propaganda
C. Commentaries
D. Ads
The First Amendment
guarantees
A. freedom of speech.
B. the right to bear arms.
C. freedom from unreasonable searches and
seizures.
D. protection against self-incrimination.
All of the following are true of
the Articles of Confederation
EXCEPT
A. it created a weak central government.
B. the national government had no power to
tax.
C. it gave no power to enforce laws.
D. the states had little power.
The federal government and the state
governments share all of the following powers
EXCEPT the power to
A. establish courts.
B. borrow money.
C. punish lawbreakers.
D. coin money.
Which of the following is NOT a
power of the legislative
branch?
A. interpreting the meaning of a law
B. passing laws
C. overriding presidential vetoes
D. approving appointments of federal court
judges
Which of the following is not a
function of political parties?
A. recruiting and nominating
candidates
B. educating the public about
campaign issues
C. monitoring the actions of office
holders
D. nominating Supreme Court
justices
How does the media influence
policy makers?
A. by broadcasting the state of the union
address
B. by criticizing the news coverage of other
media sources
C. by organizing debates among leading
entertainers.
D. by drawing attention to a particular issue
and arousing public concern
Democrats:
A. want the government to provide public
benefits to assist the poor.
B. want less government activity.
C. believe that public benefits should be
provided by the private sector.
D. are typically backed by small farmers and
the business community.
Third parties:
A. are not found in American politics.
B. typically revolve around a political
personality.
C. receive a lot of attention from the media.
D. All of the above
Political Parties:
A. organize to win elections.
B. influence public opinion
C. appeal to the political center to win majority
support.
D. All of the above
The majority of Americans
are:
A. Moderate
B. Conservative
C. Liberal
D. Reactionary
Republicans tend to be
A. Radical
B. Conservative
C. Liberal
D. Socialist
To be elected, a presidential
candidate must
A. win both the popular vote and the electoral
vote.
B. win the popular vote.
C. receive 270 electoral votes
D. win the popular vote in the state of Florida
Democrats tend to be:
A. Conservative
B. Radical
C. Liberal
D. Right-Winged
The "glittering generalities"
technique uses
A. beautiful pictures to sell an idea.
B. words that sound good but have little
meaning.
C. the faces of famous people to sway public
opinion.
D. soothing music and subliminal messages to
persuade people.
Sports figures appearing on a box of cereal is
an example of which propaganda technique?
A. testimonial
B. bandwagon
C. plain-folks appeal
D. glittering generalities
The main reason that so few
people in the United States vote is
that
A. it is not convenient for most people to get
to the polls.
B. most people are not registered to vote.
C. most people lack interest
D. most people do not prefer one candidate
over another.
A political candidate who describes herself as
an "ordinary, hard-working citizen" is using
A. name-calling.
B. card stacking.
C. the bandwagon approach.
D. a plain-folks appeal.
Each state has a total number
of electors
A. equal to its total number of
congressmembers.
B. equal to each of the other states.
C. equal to the number of its state legislators.
D. based on its voter turnout in previous
elections.
The Democratic and Republican Parties do all
of the following EXCEPT
A. organize to win elections.
B. raise money to pay for campaign
expenses.
C. establish state qualifications for voting.
D. Reflect both liberal and conservative views
. A presidential candidate of the Democratic
Party wins 51 percent of the popular vote.
Which of the following statements is
correct?
A. The candidate must next be confirmed by
the Senate and the House of
Representatives.
B. The candidate will become president.
C. The candidate will become president only
with a majority of electoral college votes.
D. A runoff election must be held to
determine the new president.
You have just turned 18 years old. The first
thing you will have to do before you are
allowed to vote is
A. take a literacy test.
B. register to vote.
C. join a political party.
D. prove that you have completed high school.
One purpose of political parties
is to
A. cast electoral votes.
B. set the age for voting.
C. administer literacy tests.
D. recruit and nominate candidates for public
office.