Question 1

Incumbents begin a campaign with greater ___________ than their challengers.

Accepted Answer

Incumbents have already held the office, so they have greater name recognition among their constituents than new challengers who need to work harder to get their name and platform out to voters. This can provide an advantage at the beginning of a campaign.

Question 2

When voters are viewing or listening to candidates and attempting to decide which candidate to support,what political skill is required for candidates to project sincerity,compassion,confidence,and good humor to large audiences,in press conferences and interviews,on television,and to reporters?

Accepted Answer

The political skill required for candidates to project sincerity, compassion, confidence, and good humor to large audiences, in press conferences and interviews, on television, and to reporters is communication. Effective communication involves not just verbal abilities, but also nonverbal cues such as body language, tone of voice, and facial expressions. Candidates who can effectively communicate their messages to voters are more likely to win their support.

Question 3

"Amateurs" who have won political office include __________.

Accepted Answer

John Glenn and Steve Largent are the only options listed who were amateurs in politics before winning their respective offices. Jack Kennedy, Hubert Humphrey, Barack Obama, George W. Bush, Nancy Pelosi, and Mitch McConnell all had prior political experience before being elected to their positions.

Question 4

One reason for the prevalence of lawyers in American politics is that __________.

Accepted Answer

The skills required to be a successful lawyer, such as critical thinking, persuasive argumentation, and navigating complex legal systems, are also highly valued in politics. This makes lawyers well-suited for political careers. Additionally, many lawyers start their political careers by serving as legal advisors or working in government agencies, which can provide valuable experience and connections. Financial resources, passing a bar exam, and representing clients in trial are not the main reasons for the prevalence of lawyers in American politics.

Question 5

Politics is increasingly characterized by __________.

Accepted Answer

Politics is becoming more advanced and specialized, leading to a rise in professionalization within the field. Politicians and political operatives are more trained and experienced than in the past, leading to a more sophisticated and efficient political system. This trend towards professionalism can be seen in the increasing number of individuals with degrees in political science, law, or public administration who pursue careers in politics.

Question 6

For elections to serve as policy mandates,__________.

Accepted Answer

For elections to serve as policy mandates, elected officials have to be bound by their campaign promises. This means that the voters should choose the candidate who aligns with their values and policies and hold them accountable for the promises made during the election campaign. It is the responsibility of the elected officials to fulfill the mandate given by the voters by implementing the policies they campaigned on.

Question 7

Samuel "Joe the Plumber" Wurzelbacher won the GOP nomination in Ohio's 9th congressional district with no previous political experience.Why was Wurzelbacher not considered a "pure" amateur?

Accepted Answer

Wurzelbacher gained national attention during the 2008 presidential election when he asked then-candidate Barack Obama about his small business tax policy during a campaign stop. He became known as "Joe the Plumber" and his name recognition was a significant asset in his campaign. Even though he lacked political experience, he was not considered a "pure" amateur because he already had some level of public exposure and name recognition.

Question 8

During the 2012 election cycle,presidential candidate Mitt Romney attempted to frame himself as the best choice for America's future,appealing to whom?

Accepted Answer

Mitt Romney attempted to appeal to prospective voters, those who had not yet made up their minds about who to vote for in the 2012 election. He presented himself as the candidate who could best lead America into the future.

Question 9

When voters support professional office holders,they are also supporting __________.

Accepted Answer

Careerism refers to the tendency to view holding public office as a career, where professional office holders are often seen as pursuing their own advancement rather than public service. Supporting professional office holders can imply an endorsement of this career-oriented approach.

Question 10

Half of the people elected to the U.S.Congress are __________.

Accepted Answer

According to a survey conducted by the Congressional Research Service in 2020, almost 40% of the members of Congress have law degrees, making lawyers the most common profession among elected officials in Congress. While military veterans are also commonly represented in Congress, they make up less than 20% of the total members. College professors and economists are less commonly represented in Congress, with only a small percentage of members holding these professions.

Question 11

When a candidate's experience includes 15-20 years in politics,from city council to state and federal legislative bodies,and the person has little or no private sector experience,this is an example of __________.

Accepted Answer

Careerism refers to the attitude or behavior of someone who is deeply committed to a career, often in a specific field. In this context, a candidate with 15-20 years of experience in politics across various levels, and little to no private sector experience, exemplifies careerism in the political arena.

Question 12

The practice of voting for or against a candidate or party on the basis of past performance in office is called __________ voting.

Accepted Answer

Retrospective voting is when voters base their decision on past performance, while prospective voting is when voters base their decision on the candidate's potential to perform in the future. Resurgent and invasive are not related to voting behavior.

Question 13

Which type of voting contends that parties not in power are in a better position to offer incentives to voters than parties in power?

Accepted Answer

Prospective voting is based on the voters' views of what candidates or parties will do in the future, often including the promises or policy proposals made by those not currently in power. This contrasts with retrospective voting, where voters make decisions based on the past performance of parties or candidates.

Question 14

People who have not worked in politics or public service professions who run for public office are known as __________.

Accepted Answer

People who have not worked in politics or public service professions are commonly referred to as amateurs, in contrast to those who are more experienced and have established careers in these fields. A, C, and D are not accurate descriptions of this group. Citizens include a wide range of people, including those who may have worked in politics or public service. Incumbents are those who currently hold an elected office, and careerists are those who have established a career or profession in politics or public service.

Question 15

In the 2008 presidential election,many voters decided against Senator John McCain and the GOP because of Bush era policies.This is an example of __________.

Accepted Answer

Retrospective voting is when voters base their decision on the incumbent's past performance or how their party has handled policies in the past. In this case, voters rejected McCain and the GOP because of their association with Bush-era policies.

Question 16

Incumbents are people who are __________.

Accepted Answer

Incumbents are individuals who currently hold a political office and are seeking reelection. Therefore, option D, seeking reelection, is the correct choice.

Question 17

After the 2012 election,President Obama declared he had a mandate,referring to what he perceived as overwhelming support from whom?

Accepted Answer

President Obama declared he had a mandate referring to overwhelming support from voters after the 2012 election.

Question 18

Which president signed the Voting Rights Act?

Accepted Answer

Lyndon JohnsonSigned the Voting Rights Act into law in 1965.

Question 19

If a traditionally conservative voter examines a candidate's past performance in office and decides to vote for a Democratic candidate rather than continuing to support the Republican candidate,what voting pattern does this exemplify?

Accepted Answer

Retrospective voting involves examining a candidate's past performance in office and deciding whether to continue supporting them or to vote for a challenger. This scenario describes a traditionally conservative voter making the decision to support a Democratic candidate based on their evaluation of the Republican candidate's past performance in office, which falls under the category of retrospective voting.

Question 20

Policy mandates result from elections,allowing voters to direct the course of __________.

Accepted Answer

Policy mandates are a result of elections, which allow voters to choose political leaders and direct the course of public policy. The other options listed (campaign events, political debate, and campaign funding) may be influenced by elections, but they do not directly result from policy mandates.

Quiz 8: Campaigns and Elections: Deciding Who Governs