8/8/2019 Study Tool 9-12

1/2

Study Tool

American Urban Society

Chapters 9-12

Spring 2013

Modern political campaign professionals realize that one uniform, standardized message for all is

not going to get their candidate elected. New, modern techniques and approaches are being used tofocus on demographics, interests, passions, consumer habits and other unique personal factors to

target a variety of messages from the same candidate. For example, unique political messages for

a future candidate are being designed now to target women, young professionals,

environmentalists and opponents of abortion. Is there a term for this specialized approach?

A variety of groups and organizations are active in keeping and gaining public power and

influence in the United States. One type of organization reignssupreme in terms of conducting

and winning elections with appealing candidates and, once the candidates are in office, actually

being intimately involved with the process of governing.

Political trends in recent years have been characterized by many in terms ofdivision vs. unity andthe level of sustained exercise of powerby one group over a long period of time. What specifically

are some of these current related trends in political parties and voting we have seen recently?

Money, money, money. Where does it all come from in campaigns? Is it all from people like us in

small amounts? Or from certain interest groups. What about businesses? Direct solicitation; the

internet? Rich people; not so rich people? What method of raising money has exploded in the

last few years?

Democrats and Republicans have some different characteristics in general. What are some of the

characteristics that are usually identified with each group?

Political information is everywhere these days, right? On TV, radio, mailboxes, internet,

billboards, flyers, stickers, flags, yard signs, phone robo calls, and yes, even in the classroom!

What are the sources that are most often used by certain age groups (e.g., senor citizens, youth,

etc.)?

Some media have risen in popularity, while some have declined significantly in recent years.(1985

on). Which are hot, and which are not (hey, that rhymes!)?

Early journalism has an interesting history, with some parallels with many of todays news outlets.

Was early journalism fact-based? Or was it strictly opinions of local businesses? Were there any

parallels with todays tabloid newspapers that focus on wild stories like, hypothetically: Bill

Clinton was born on Mars to Alien Parents!!!?

Current trends in print newspapers (Plain Dealer, Beacon Journal, etc.) are significant to the newsindustry. What is going on ,and is the public satisfied with newspapers as a news source?

Mass media general trends are also changing, not just for newspapers. What are some of these

milepost trends? How do these reflect younger Americans?

What about local news? If it bleeds, it leads. What is significance of this statement (not from

your book, but is often said to characterize local coverage of news today).

8/8/2019 Study Tool 9-12

2/2

Congressional powers are contained in Article 1 of the Constitution. Some say the Legislative

branch is the most powerful branch of government. Given its clear power, who, then, pressures

Congress to enact laws that meet their short-term and long-term needs?

Our government has been said to be divided into two warring camps. Is this clear division in

government a good thing? What are some of the positives and negatives of a divided government?

Congress has a variety of powers. What are they and be able to give some examples

The term gerrymander is not a type of salamander. Sorry. Given that fact, what is the political

meaning and significance of gerrymandering (named after governor Gerry of Massachusetts)? Is

it still done today? Is it legal?

What are incumbents? Do incumbents have advantages over non-incumbents? Would you ever

vote for an incumbent over a little-known candidate?

Mid-term elections are unique and important. When do they occur, what often happens in terms of

who wins and who votes in mid-terms?

Presidential roles shifted after WWII, whrn the United States and our allies become powerful

leaders in the world. What were some trends in governing after WWII for Presidents?

The most recent Presidential campaign was definitely unique or different in many ways. What

were several aspects that were definitely noteworthy?

Primary elections have been playing a huge role in choosing Presidential candidate and getting the

right person to run in the General Election in November every 4 years. In primaries, states that are

big in terms of population are very important. Some small states (in terms of population) have a

disproportionate powerful role in getting a candidate elected or not elected. Give an example of

a strong small state and why important.

Several recent court cases in involving our former President and his staff have limited the powersregarding U.S. prosecution of militants in the wars against the West. What were a couple of these

cases and the end result? Significance?

Timing is everything. When does the President have the maximum to gain legislative success?

Think about the current President and the current and possible future of his legislative successesgiven various scenarios with the mid-term elections.

Presidential Powers. Theyre all spelled out in the Constitution, as with Congress and the Supreme

Court. So what are some explicit powers? What are some implied powers? How aboutsending troops abroad? Stopping bad legislation? Remove a Congressperson from Congress?

Change the constitution. What things exactly can he or she do, according to our Constitution.

Check it (them) out).

Note: Articles posted on class website and class discussion notes should be reviewed for Extra

Credit questions which are mined from this material.