Elections, Political Parties, Candidates, Media

What is an important difference between interest groups and political parties?

• Interest groups have more members than political parties.

• Interest groups have platforms addressing all issues of public concern.

• Interest groups are organized to elect their candidates to political office.

• Interest groups attempt to influence government directly on particular issues.

Sarah felt very strongly about an issue in the news.  She wrote to her representative in Congress and expressed her feelings on the issue.  Then she wrote a short editorial for the local newspaper and sent it off.  Which statement describes Sarah's activities? 

• She was acting as a lobbyist.
• She was forming her own political party.
• She was starting her own special interest group.
• She was participating directly in government. 

Use the graph to answer this question: Based upon the information in the graph, where should a candidate spend the most campaign funds for advertising?

• Newpaper

• Television

• Internet

• Radio

Which best describes the main objective of a lobbyist?

• To raise campaign funds for political parties.

• To influence public decision-making for the common good.

• to influence state legislators or members of congress on issues

• to advise political candidates on how to manager their election campaigns

Which activity is used by interest groups to influence public policy?

• bribing legislators to support their proposals

• impeaching their opponents in the legislature

• sponsoring news programs on major television networks

• giving legislators the benefit of their subject-area expertise

Which propaganda technique is used in this political communication?

• making a false analogy

• appealing to readers' fears

• presenting an opinion as fact

• smearing an opponent's character

The statement in the photo was made by President George W. Bush at the start of the 2004 Presidential election campaign against Democratic candidate Senator John Kerry. How was this political communication intended to win public support for President Bush?

• By using political symbolism.

• By pointing to specific issues.

• by labeling his opponent as uncertain.

• by providing detailed evidence of his achievements.

A group of people or an organization seeking or receiving special advantages, typically through political lobbying is known as:

• Democrats

• Republicans

• Special Interest Group

• Independents

Which of the following is not a positive about Special Interest Groups?

• They use the democratic process

• They only care about their specific issue

• They motivate legislators

• They encourage political involvement

Which of the following is not a negative about Special Interest Groups?

• They at times only represent the minority

• They check the power of the majorities

• They commit bribery

• They are often only effective for themselves