U5: Campaigns + Media - Topics 5.10 - 5.13

Which of the following criticisms of political campaigns is the author of the political cartoon most likely to agree with?

• Political campaigns have not adequately adapted to the increase in social media usage in modern society.

• Rising campaign costs and intensive fund-raising efforts make running for office too expensive for the average citizen.

• The duration of election cycles is too long.

• Candidates rely too heavily on professional consultants.

Which of the following is true of political action committees (PACs) ?

• They make campaign contributions in hopes of gaining access to legislators.

• They are a part of political party organizations.

• They are allowed to contribute to only one candidate in any election.

• They nominate candidates for president at national party conventions.

• They operate at the state level but not at the national level.

Which of the following is NOT a way in which the federal government regulates campaigns?

• By requirements for disclosure of campaign donations

• By establishment of federal agencies to regulate campaign finance activities

• By limits on the distribution of soft money

• By limits on individual donations to campaigns

• By prohibitions on negative advertising

When contributing to congressional campaigns, political action committees (PACs) are most likely to contribute to

• incumbents of both major parties

• third-party challengers

• Republican challengers

• state party organizations

• national party organizations

BCRA or the Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act of 2002 (McCain-Feingold) did which of the following?

• It created interest groups known as 527s.

• It made it illegal for unions to donate to presidential campaigns.

• It banned soft money donations to national parties.

• It banned candidates from running negative advertisements.

• It banned third-parties from federal funding.

Which of the following describes the potential impact on the electorate when daily media coverage of elections focuses primarily on the newest poll results?

• The electorate will be increasingly divided along partisan lines.

• The electorate will be less likely to turn out to vote on Election Day.

• The electorate will be more likely to have expanded knowledge of the electoral process.

• The electorate will be less able to accurately compare the policy platforms of candidates running in the election.

Which of the following best characterizes the influence of the news media on public opinion in the United States?

• They alter the public's views on issues.

• They affect which issues the public thinks are important.

• They determine how citizens will vote.

• They are most able to influence people with the highest level of education.

• They are most able to influence the urban sectors of society.

Which of the following provides the most accurate explanation of how consumer-driven media increases partisan polarization?

• Consumer-driven media tends to avoid discussing controversial political topics.

• Consumer-driven media reinforces existing political biases in individuals.

• Consumer-driven media relies heavily on corporate advertising.

• Consumer-driven media is overwhelmingly conservative.

Which of the following is a true statement about the role of the media in providing citizens with information?

• Investigative reporting dominates the news because it is less expensive than political commentary.

• Demand for instantaneous news reporting has led to the growth of 24-hour news operations and a shift to online media consumption.

• The media is increasingly controlled by the major political parties, who determine which stories are covered by the press.

• There has been an increase in social media and Internet news consumption by the public, causing the top five media conglomerates to have greater control over public opinion.

Which of the following describes a consequence of the growing concentration of ownership of the news media?

• Newspaper prices have gone down.

• Coverage of political events has gotten more liberal over time.

• Prices for televised campaign ads have gone down.

• Candidates get more free airtime.

• There is increased similarity of network news coverage.