08 Political Parties

01

An organization puts forward candidates for public office in order to make public policy. The organization is which of the following?

An interest group

A political action committee (PAC)

A 527 Committee

A political party
02

Which of the following organizations does NOT fit with the other three listed because it is not the same kind of organization?

Sierra Club

Democratic Party

Green Party

Republican Party
03

In Country A, a political party received 33 percent of the vote in the most recent national legislative election. The party was awarded a third of the seats in the legislature. Which of the following statements is true about the political system in Country A?

It uses an electoral college to select a president.

It uses proportional representation to select its legislature.

It almost certainly has a two-party system.

All of the above
04

Which of the following statements is true about the election system in Israel but is NOT true about the election system in the United States?

Most candidates for the Israeli legislature run under their political party label.

Political parties in Israel adopt platforms, outlining the party’s position on the important political issues of the day.

Candidates for the Israeli legislature run on a party list rather than from geographic districts.

All of the above
05

Which of the following statements about Democratic and Republican Party fundraising is correct?

The Democratic Party has historically enjoyed a fundraising advantage over the Republican Party and that advantage continues.

The Republican Party has historically enjoyed a fundraising advantage over the Democratic Party and that advantage continues.

The Democratic Party has historically enjoyed a fundraising advantage over the Republican Party but the Republicans have caught up and now have a slight edge.

The Republican Party has historically enjoyed a fundraising advantage over the Democratic Party but the Democrats have caught up and now have a slight edge.
06

Which of the following fundraising advantages does the Democratic Party enjoy over the Republican Party today?

Internet fundraising

Direct mail fundraising

Individual contributions from business executives

None of the above
07

What was the party balance in 2008?

Republicans outnumbered Democrats and both outnumbered independents.

Democrats and independents enjoyed similar levels of party identification with Republicans trailing.

Republicans and independents enjoyed similar levels of identification with Democrats trailing.

Americans divided almost evenly among Republicans, Democrats, and independents.
08

In recent elections, which of the following groups of citizens tended to vote Democratic?

Voters from families with incomes below $50,000 a year

African Americans

Gay men and lesbians

All of the above
09

Among which of the following racial/ethnic groups do Republican candidates run the strongest?

African Americans

Whites

Latinos

Asian Americans
10

Why are Cuban Americans more supportive of the Republican Party than are other groups of Latinos, such as Mexican Americans and Puerto Ricans?

As a group, Cuban Americans are more affluent than other groups of Latinos.

The Republican Party has historically taken a strong anti-communist/anti-Castro position.

Most Cuban Americans are evangelical Protestants, who tend to vote Republican.

All of the above
11

Which of the following groups tends to back Republican candidates?

People with less than a high school education

People with graduate degrees

Low-income voters

Upper-income voters
12

Is there a gender gap at the ballot box?

No. Women and men support the two parties in roughly equal proportions.

Yes. Men are more likely than women to turn out to vote.

Yes. Women are more likely than men to vote Republican.

Yes. Women are more likely than men to vote Democratic.
13

In 2008, Barack Obama won which of the following age groups by the largest margin?

Voters under 30

Voters from 30 to 44 years of age

Voters from 45 to 64 years of age

Voters 65 years of age and older
14

In 2008, John McCain ran best among which of the following groups?

Single voters

Married voters

Gay and lesbian voters

Obama and McCain ran equally well among each of the above groups.
15

Today, the Republican Party is strongest in which of the following regions?

Midwest

Northeast

South

West Coast
16

Which of the following religious groups is the most firmly Republican?

Jews

Catholics

Mainline Protestants (Episcopalians, Presbyterians, etc.)

Evangelical Protestants (Southern Baptists, Assemblies of God)
17

In 2008, Obama won a majority of the vote from which of the following groups?

People who never attend religious services

People who call themselves conservatives

People who identify with the Republican Party

People who live in rural areas
18

After the 2008 election, Democrats controlled which of the following?

U.S. House of Representatives

U.S. Senate

Presidency

All of the above
19

Which of the following positions was NOT taken by the Republican Party in its 2008 presidential platform?

Support for the partial privatization of Social Security through private investment accounts

Support for declaring that English is the nation’s official language

Support for the adoption of affirmative action policies to address discrimination

Support for a constitutional amendment to prohibit abortion
20

After the 2008 election, which of the following could most accurately be called the opposition party?

Republican Party

Democratic Party

News media

Green Party

08 Political Parties

An organization puts forward candidates for public office in order to make public policy. The organization is which of the following?

Which of the following organizations does NOT fit with the other three listed because it is not the same kind of organization?

In Country A, a political party received 33 percent of the vote in the most recent national legislative election. The party was awarded a third of the seats in the legislature. Which of the following statements is true about the political system in Country A?

Which of the following statements is true about the election system in Israel but is NOT true about the election system in the United States?

Which of the following statements about Democratic and Republican Party fundraising is correct?

Which of the following fundraising advantages does the Democratic Party enjoy over the Republican Party today?

What was the party balance in 2008?

In recent elections, which of the following groups of citizens tended to vote Democratic?

Among which of the following racial/ethnic groups do Republican candidates run the strongest?

Why are Cuban Americans more supportive of the Republican Party than are other groups of Latinos, such as Mexican Americans and Puerto Ricans?

Which of the following groups tends to back Republican candidates?

Is there a gender gap at the ballot box?

In 2008, Barack Obama won which of the following age groups by the largest margin?

In 2008, John McCain ran best among which of the following groups?

Today, the Republican Party is strongest in which of the following regions?

Which of the following religious groups is the most firmly Republican?

In 2008, Obama won a majority of the vote from which of the following groups?

After the 2008 election, Democrats controlled which of the following?

Which of the following positions was NOT taken by the Republican Party in its 2008 presidential platform?

After the 2008 election, which of the following could most accurately be called the opposition party?