Chapter 7
Beats- Specific locations from which news frequently emanates.
Ex: The White House, or Congress
Ex: The White House, or Congress
Chains- Groups of newspapers publshed by media conglomerates and today accounting and today according for four-fifths of the ations
Ex: The New York Times
Ex: The New York Times
Electronic Media- Means of communication with wild reach and influence.
Ex: Television, Radio, internet
Ex: Television, Radio, internet
High- Tech Politics- A politcs in which the behavior of citizens and policymakers and the political agenda itself are increasingly shaped by technology
Ex : Would be where during a protest, a protester would prevoke a police officer to hit them to prove their point of police brutality simply because the television reporters were there.
Ex : Would be where during a protest, a protester would prevoke a police officer to hit them to prove their point of police brutality simply because the television reporters were there.
Investigative Journalism- The use of in-depth reporting to unearth scandals, scams, and schemes, at times putting reporters in adversarial relationships with politcial leaders.
Ex: With investigative journalism reporters were able to uncover the truth behind Nixon's Watergate Scandal.
Ex: With investigative journalism reporters were able to uncover the truth behind Nixon's Watergate Scandal.
Mass Media: means of communicating popular information
Ex: Television, radio, newspaper, magazine, interweb (internet)
Ex: Television, radio, newspaper, magazine, interweb (internet)
Media Event: Events that are purposely staged for the media and that are significant just because the media are there.
Ex: in Journies with George, the staged event of him riding a snow mobile when he had no rea reason to be on it bt rather getthe media to portray him as a common man.
Ex: in Journies with George, the staged event of him riding a snow mobile when he had no rea reason to be on it bt rather getthe media to portray him as a common man.
Narrowcasting- Media programming on cable tv or the internet that is focused on a particular interest and aimed at a particular audience in contrast to others.
Ex: MTV, ESPN
Ex: MTV, ESPN
Policy Agenda- The issues that attract the serious attention of public officials and other people actively involved in politics at t he time
Ex: Because of the crisis in Syria, the decision of what to do about Americas involvement was placed on the political agenda to be discussed in the Senate.
Ex: Because of the crisis in Syria, the decision of what to do about Americas involvement was placed on the political agenda to be discussed in the Senate.
Policy Entrepreneurs- People who invest their political "capital" in an issue. According to John Kingdom, a policy entrepreneur "could be in or out of government, in elected or appointed positions, in interest groups or research organizations."
Ex: Members of PAC that throw all their money behind a candidate based off of their views on apolitical issue.
Ex: Members of PAC that throw all their money behind a candidate based off of their views on apolitical issue.
Press Conference- Meetings of pubic officials with reporters
Ex: Every president ever had to have several press conferences where they answered reporters questions regarding some major event during their presidency, at that time
Ex: Every president ever had to have several press conferences where they answered reporters questions regarding some major event during their presidency, at that time
Print Media- Responsible for gathering and publishing news in the form of newspapers or magazine
Ex: Newspapers, magazines
Ex: Newspapers, magazines
Sound Bites: Short video clips of approximately 10 seconds. Typically, they are all that is shown from a politician's speech on the nightly television news.
Ex: Usually used by opposing politicians to trash talk the other candidates.
Ex: Usually used by opposing politicians to trash talk the other candidates.
Talking Heads- A shot of a person's face talking directly to the camera. Because such shots are visually unstimulating, the major networks rarely show politicians talking for very long.
Ex: Animal commercials that everyone hates because they talk right at you and its like they're looking directly at you.
Ex: Animal commercials that everyone hates because they talk right at you and its like they're looking directly at you.
Trial Balloons- Intentional news leaks for the purpose of assessing the political reaction.
Ex: An example was when the New York Times reported in mid-June 2012 that Governor Andrew Cuomo and his staff were deliberating on a plan to restrict hydrofracking to five counties in the 'southern tier' of New York, along the Pennsylvania border, where the Marcellus shale is deepest and drilling is least likely to pollute well water supplies in those aquifers
Ex: An example was when the New York Times reported in mid-June 2012 that Governor Andrew Cuomo and his staff were deliberating on a plan to restrict hydrofracking to five counties in the 'southern tier' of New York, along the Pennsylvania border, where the Marcellus shale is deepest and drilling is least likely to pollute well water supplies in those aquifers
Chapter 9
501(c) - Groups that are exempted from reporting their contributions and can receive unlimited contributions. Section 501c of the tax code specifies that such groups cannot spend more than half their funds on political activities.
example, 501(c)(3) groups operate for religious, charitable, scientific or educational purposes.
example, 501(c)(3) groups operate for religious, charitable, scientific or educational purposes.
527 Groups- Independent political groups that are not subject to contribution restrictions because they do not directly seek the election of particular candidates. Section 527 of the tax code specifies that contributions to such groups must be reported to the IRS.
Examples of 527s include Swift Boat Veterans for Truth, Texans for Truth, The Media Fund, America Coming Together, the Progress for America Voter Fund, and the Secretary of State Project.
Examples of 527s include Swift Boat Veterans for Truth, Texans for Truth, The Media Fund, America Coming Together, the Progress for America Voter Fund, and the Secretary of State Project.
Campaign Strategy- The Master Game plan candidates lay out to guide their electoral campaign.
Ex: Where campaign managers tell their staff what to do to get their candidate the best media attention and make them look good
Ex: Where campaign managers tell their staff what to do to get their candidate the best media attention and make them look good
Caucus- A system for selecting convention delegates used in about a dozen mostly rural states in which voters must show up at a set time and attend an open meeting to express their presidential preference
Ex: Iowa holds the first caucus and thus gets the most media attention
Ex: Iowa holds the first caucus and thus gets the most media attention
Direct Mail - A Method of raising money for a political cause or candidate, in which information and request for money are sent to people whose names appear on lists of those who have supported similar views or candidates in the past.
Ex: Petitioners that stand outside supermarkets and ask for money, or that send "junk mail" to you asking for your support
Ex: Petitioners that stand outside supermarkets and ask for money, or that send "junk mail" to you asking for your support
Federal Election Campaign Act- Reforms presidential campaign finances, provides public finances for primaries and general elections, requires disclosure, & limits presidential campaign spending. President must report how much money he spent and on what he spent it on.
Ex: When a person uses their credit card, it reports online the quantity amount of money that was wasted and on what.
Ex: When a person uses their credit card, it reports online the quantity amount of money that was wasted and on what.
Federal Election Commission- (Created by the FECA in 1974) It is an agency of a 6 member bipartisan agency, it regulates and enforces campaign finance laws.
Ex: The one who works from the household is the one who obtains the right to determine where the money lands.
Ex: The one who works from the household is the one who obtains the right to determine where the money lands.
Chapter 10
Frontloading- States holding primaries early in the election campaign in order to capitalize on receiving attention from the media.
Ex: When there is a celebrity in a store, it is most likely that people would run to be side-by-side to the celebrity, who would have reporters in front of them, in order to say "Hi Mom".
Ex: When there is a celebrity in a store, it is most likely that people would run to be side-by-side to the celebrity, who would have reporters in front of them, in order to say "Hi Mom".
McGovern-Fraser Commission- Formed at the Democratic convention in 1968 for the purpose to demand reform by minority groups and other who need representation.
Ex: Representatives are chosen in order to represent a group of people, so each minority group obtains one in order for their voices to be heard.
Ex: Representatives are chosen in order to represent a group of people, so each minority group obtains one in order for their voices to be heard.
Matching Funds- Contributions with the limit of $250 from the Presidential Election Campaign Fund to the qualified presidential candidates who agree to meet the conditions.
Ex: Basketball players are able to wear the uniform and play in the games if they keep their grades up.
Ex: Basketball players are able to wear the uniform and play in the games if they keep their grades up.
National Party Convention- Meets every 4 years in order to nominate the party's presidential & vice presidential candidates.
Ex: In whole school meeting Mr. Versage allows students to give speeches in order to persuade their classmates why they are the ideal candidate. Then the students vote for who they believe should win.
Ex: In whole school meeting Mr. Versage allows students to give speeches in order to persuade their classmates why they are the ideal candidate. Then the students vote for who they believe should win.
Nomination- The official endorsement of a candidate for office by their political party.
Ex: When it was official that Alejandro, Lupe, & Emily were running against each other for the presidency.
Ex: When it was official that Alejandro, Lupe, & Emily were running against each other for the presidency.
Legitimacy- A characterization of elections by political scientists meaning that they are almost universally accepted as a fair and free method of selecting political leaders. When it is high, as in the United States, even the losers accept the results peacefully.
Ex: We all accepted Alejandro as President because he won in a fair way.
Ex: We all accepted Alejandro as President because he won in a fair way.
National Primary- A nationwide primary that would replace caucuses and presidential primaries.
Ex: If the whole school instead of juniors to voting for the 11th grade representative, it would change the entire outcome.
Ex: If the whole school instead of juniors to voting for the 11th grade representative, it would change the entire outcome.
Party Platform- A party's statement of their goals and policies for the next 4 years. The platform is drafted to the party convention by a committee who were chosen proportionately.
Ex: Obama's goal to offer health care for citizens.
Ex: Obama's goal to offer health care for citizens.
Electoral College- Created by the Constitution in order to prevent an unqualified person become president. The number of electors are the sum of the senate and representatives of House of Reps. per state. It's for the selection of the president by the electors who reflect on the winner-take-all system and on the proportion representation.
Political Action Committees(PAC)- (Created by campaign finance reforms in 1974) It is political funding for a candidate, it's necessary that it gets registered with the Federal Election Commission.
Ex: Money gets donated to ASPCA which assists their purpose and get supporters through media.
Ex: Money gets donated to ASPCA which assists their purpose and get supporters through media.
Selective Perception- People's beliefs is what impacts what they put more attention to and the way they interpret events.
Ex: Republicans often only care for how policies would benefit them and would continue to obtain a similar belief of "self-made man".
Ex: Republicans often only care for how policies would benefit them and would continue to obtain a similar belief of "self-made man".
Civic Duty- The belief that it is the obligation for a citizen to vote in order to support the government.
Ex: Low-income people are more likely to vote for Democrats since they were the ones who gave them food stamps.
Ex: Low-income people are more likely to vote for Democrats since they were the ones who gave them food stamps.
Presidential Election Campaign Fund- Money from $3 federal income tax check-off gets given to candidates for their presidential campaign.
Ex: Tax money being given to construct and improve schools and libraries.
Ex: Tax money being given to construct and improve schools and libraries.
Soft Money VS. Hard Money:
- Soft Money- Money donated to the party...(Later on it was eliminated by McCain Feingold)
- Hard Money- Money donated directly to the candidate with the limit of $1,000(due to how it was seen as bribery)...(limit increased to $2,000 due to McCain Feingold)
Mandate theory of elections- The idea that the winning candidate has a mandate from the people to carry out his or her platforms and politics. Politicians like the theory better than political scientists do.
Ex: We vote for candidates because we want them to carry out certain policies; the ones on their political platform.
Ex: We vote for candidates because we want them to carry out certain policies; the ones on their political platform.
Superdelegates- National party leaders who get chosen for a delegate slot. Their vote can change the result of the delegates' votes.
Ex: When a student breaks the rules, they have to go to the honor council but their decision could be changed if Ms. Chew doesn't agree with their decision.
Ex: When a student breaks the rules, they have to go to the honor council but their decision could be changed if Ms. Chew doesn't agree with their decision.
Presidential Primaries- Voters go vote in order to participate in who should be the party's nominee for the president.
Ex: Bush visited more states than just New Hampshire in order to receive more support to become the candidate for the Republican Party.
Ex: Bush visited more states than just New Hampshire in order to receive more support to become the candidate for the Republican Party.
Initiative Petition- In some states it is allowed for voters to submit proposed changes in the state law if 10% of the population's signatures get gathered.
Ex: The Environmental Studies students went around the school asking for signatures from students in order to change the food being sold at the Student Store.
Ex: The Environmental Studies students went around the school asking for signatures from students in order to change the food being sold at the Student Store.
Regional Primaries- A series of primaries that gets taken place in each geographic region that would replace caucuses and presidential primaries.
Ex: If some "social groups" in the 11th grade were to vote instead of 11th grade as a whole, it would change the outcome.
Ex: If some "social groups" in the 11th grade were to vote instead of 11th grade as a whole, it would change the outcome.
Motor Voter Act- Passed in 1993, this act went into effect for the 1996 election. It requires states to permit people to register to vote at the same time they apply for their driver's license.
Ex: I went to get my I.D. at the DMV and I was able to register for future elections.
Ex: I went to get my I.D. at the DMV and I was able to register for future elections.
Policy voting- Electoral choices that are made on basis of the voters' policy preferences and on the basis of where the candidates stand on policy issues.
Ex: Winner-take-all system??
Ex: Winner-take-all system??
Political efficacy- The belief that one's political participation really matters—that one's vote can actually make a difference.
Ex: People vote because they believe they can make a change.
Ex: People vote because they believe they can make a change.
Referendum- A state-level method of direct legislation that gives voters a chance to approve or disapprove proposed legislation or a proposed constitutional amendment.
Ex: Voters can vote no on a tax referendum.
Ex: Voters can vote no on a tax referendum.
Retrospective Voting- A theory of voting in which voters essentially ask this simple question: "What have you done for me lately?"
Ex: When voters decided to vote for FDR instead of Hoover, it was retrospective voting because Hoover didn't do much for them during the Depression.
Ex: When voters decided to vote for FDR instead of Hoover, it was retrospective voting because Hoover didn't do much for them during the Depression.
Suffrage- The legal right to vote, extended to African Americans by the Fifteenth Amendment, to women by the Nineteenth Amendment, and to people over the age of 18 by the Twenty-sixth Amendment.
Ex: As a female, I can legally vote when i'm 18 because of the 19th and 26th Amendments.
Ex: As a female, I can legally vote when i'm 18 because of the 19th and 26th Amendments.
Voter Registration- A system adopted by the states that requires voters to register well in advance of Election Day. A few states permit this on Election Day.
Ex: In many states you cannot vote without having registered ahead of time.
Ex: In many states you cannot vote without having registered ahead of time.
Additional Unit 3 Key Terms
Agenda setting- The process of forming the list of matters that policymakers intend to address
Ex: Politicians put policies on the agenda setting depending on what interests the voters.
Ex: Politicians put policies on the agenda setting depending on what interests the voters.
Associated Press- Newspaper publishers from around the nation formed this to promote cooperative news gathering by wire
Ex: how news outlets get news about another country relatively quick
Ex: how news outlets get news about another country relatively quick
Australian Ballot- a secret ballot prepared, distributed, and tabulated by government officials at public expense.
Buckley VS. Valeo (1976)- a case in which the Supreme Court of the United States upheld federal limits on campaign contributions and ruled that spending money to influence elections is a form of constitutionally protected free speech. The court also stated candidates can give unlimited amounts of money to their own campaigns.
Ex: Obama could have spent on the money he wanted on his own campaign
Ex: Obama could have spent on the money he wanted on his own campaign
Citizens United Case- corporations have a 1st Amendment right to expressly support political candidates for Congress and the White House
Ex:
Ex:
Coattail effect- the consequence of one popular candidate in an election drawing votes for other members of the same party
Ex: If people really liked Obama and he supported other Democrats, then the supporters of Obama would most likely vote for those Democrats too.
Ex: If people really liked Obama and he supported other Democrats, then the supporters of Obama would most likely vote for those Democrats too.
Direct election- is a term describing a system of choosing political office holders in which the voters directly cast ballots for the person, persons, or political party that they desire to see elected.
Ex: The election of Senators is a direct election because of the 17th Amendment.
Ex: The election of Senators is a direct election because of the 17th Amendment.
Exit poll- a poll asked specifically to those who have just voted.
Ex: I just finished voting and people outside have just asked me who i voted for since they're trying to predict who will win.
Ex: I just finished voting and people outside have just asked me who i voted for since they're trying to predict who will win.
Fairness Doctrine- a principle that formerly obligated broadcasters to present both sides of an issue
Ex: broadcasters cannot be biased toward a specific side.
Ex: broadcasters cannot be biased toward a specific side.
General election- a regularly scheduled local, state, or national election in which voters elect officeholders. A state or national election, as opposed to a local election.
Horse race Journalism-Horse race journalism is political journalism of elections that resembles coverage of horse races because of the focus on polling data, public perception instead of candidate policy, and almost exclusive reporting on candidate differences rather than similarities.
Independent expenditure-, in elections in the United States, there is a political campaign communication that expressly advocate the election or defeat of a clearly identified candidate that is not made in cooperation, consultation or concert with or at the request or suggestion of a candidate , candidate’s authorized committee or a political party
Feeding frenzy- the media "attack" when they sense wrongdoing or scandal in government, and devote great amounts of coverage to such stories.
Ex: Monica Lewinsky!!!
Ex: Monica Lewinsky!!!
Fireside chats- series of thirty evening radio addresses given by United States President Franklin D. Roosevelt.
Ex: many families gathered around the radio to listen to FDR.
Ex: many families gathered around the radio to listen to FDR.
Issue advocacy ads-Issue advocacy ads are communications intended to bring a problem to light. Groups that sponsor this form of communication are known by several names including: interest advocacy group, issue advocacy group, issue only group, or special interest group.
Ex:
Ex:
McCain-Feingold (BCRA) 2002- Prohibiting national parties from raising or spending non federal funds Requiring state, district and local party committees to fund certain federal elections activities with federal funds and, in some cases, with money raised according to new limitations, prohibitions, and reporting requirements , or with a combination of such funds. Limiting fundraising by federal and non federal candidates and officeholders on behalf of party committees, other candidates, and nonprofit organizations.
Midterm (Congressional) Election- refer to general elections in the United states that are held two years after the term for the President of the United States
Nonpartisan elections-In political science, nonpartisanism is a lack of affiliation with a political party. The Merriam-Webster's dictionary defines nonpartisan as: Not partisan; free from party affiliation, bias, or designation
Office-column ballot-a ballot on which the candidates are listed alphabetically, with or without their party designations, in columns under the office for which they were nominated.
Party-column ballot-A ballot that organizes the candidates by political party.
Photo opportunity-an occasion on which famous people pose for photographers by arrangement
Plurality-the number of votes cast for a candidate who receives more than any other but does not receive an absolute majority
Safe seat-a legislative seat that is likely to be retained with a large majority in an election.
Single-member district-A single-member district or single-member constituency is an electoral district that returns one officeholder to a body with multiple members such as a legislature. This is also sometimes called single-winner voting
Solid South-the politically united southern states of the US, traditionally regarded as giving unanimous electoral support to the Democratic Party
Spin control-By default, the molecule spins at the beginning of a session to show 3D aspects of the structure. It is particularly important when illustrating a lecture or seminar to move the molecule often to help the audience see the 3D structure
Split-ticket voting-In Australian and U.S. politics, a split ticket refers to a ballot on which the voter has chosen candidates from different political parties when multiple offices are being decided by a single election.
Straight-ticket voting-Straight-ticket voting or straight-party voting is the practice of voting for every candidate that a political party has on a general election ballot.
Super Tuesday-a day on which several US states hold primary elections
Super PAC-a type of independent political action committee which may raise unlimited sums of money from corporations, unions, and individuals but is not permitted to contribute to or coordinate directly with parties or candidates
Swing State-a US state where the two major political parties have similar levels of support among voters, viewed as important in determining the overall result of a presidential election.
War chest-a reserve of funds used for fighting a war