This document discusses several key aspects of the US political system including the selection of the president, the structure of Congress, types of campaign financing, different types of political issues, and factors that influence elections. It outlines the discretion states have in selecting presidents, how the House and Senate are designed, defines hard and soft money in campaigns, and lists valence, position, and wedge issues. It also identifies the economy, presidential popularity, and time in office as influences on elections.

1. POL 205
Fall 2018

4.  State discretion over presidential selection
 Office designed withWashington in mind;
 No real details included
 Office above partisan politics
 Leaders acting in national interest

6.  The House
 Allotted based on proportional representation
 Entire House up for election every two years
 The Senate
 Each state has two senators, regardless of size
 Seventeenth Amendment provided for direct
election of the Senate
 Terms are staggered

11. “Hard Money” – Regulated money given directly to candidates;
amounts limited by election laws
“Soft Money” – Unregulated money given by parties or individuals for
“electioneering activities,” that do not directly support candidates.

15.  Valence Issue: Issues most voters agree on
(e.g. honesty in govt., a strong economy)
 Position Issue: Issues on which most voters differ in
their perspectives (e.g. health care)
 Wedge Issue: Controversial issues candidates use to
drive “wedge” between other party
 Example: Republican trying get Democrats who are anti-
abortion to vote for him instead of opponent

17.  The Economy
 What is the condition of the economy?
 Presidential Popularity
 How popular is the sitting president?
 Incumbent Party’sTime in Office
 How long has the incumbent party controlled
theWhite House?

23. Ability of presidential candidates to lift up other
party members in lower-level races (e.g. Congress)