What four states (in order) have the most electoral votes?
1. California
2. Texas
3. Florida
4. New York
how many electoral votes does it take to win the presidency?
270
Who began the tradition of not seeking a third term in office? Who broke it?
Started: George Washington
Broke: FDR
Who chooses executive department heads (cabinet members)? Who must confirm their appointment?
Chosen by: President
Approved by: Senate
Who was the youngest president to ever serve? Who was the youngest ever ELECTED?
Teddy Roosevelt
John F. Kennedy
who actually chooses the president?
Electoral college
Know the traits/characteristics for what has historically made a good presidential candidate.
Well-known record in public office, does well on TV, former governors, white males, "winners", etc.
who was the only president to resign while in office?
Richard Nixon
Who is the current head of the Justice Department?
Pam Bondi
Which article in the Constitution outlines the Executive Branch?
Article II
What was the first executive department established?
State Department
What department is the secret service under?
Dept. of Homeland Security
Who is the highest-ranking department head? Why?
Secretary of State because it is placed first.
Which department is in charge of printing stamps and coining money?
Treasury department
What agencies does the treasury department oversee?
US mint, IRS, TTB
Which department is in charge of a national census?
Commerce department
This department oversees the nation's highway
Department of Transportation
Which department oversees the nation's environment
Department of Interior
The FBI is under this department's jurisdiction
Justice department
What 3 agencies fall under the jurisdiction of the commerce department
1. National weather service (NOAA)
2. National Census
3. Patent and trademark office
The department that oversees all foreign policy
State Department
What is the Department of Health and Human Services in charge of?
Welfare
What does the Department of Education do?
Oversees the nation's education and school systems
What does "Winner take all" mean in an election?
awards all of a state's electoral votes to the candidate who wins the most votes
What state usually holds the first presidential primary? The first caucus?
1. New Hampshire
2. Iowa
What political scandal occurred during the Reagan administration?
Iran-Contra affair
Know the 3 roles of the Vice-President
1. To preside over the senate
2. help decide the question of presidential disability
3. president in waiting
Who was the first actor to be president?
Ronald Reagan
What is the president's salary today?
$400,000
What are the 3 constitutional requirements to be president?
1. At least 35 years old
2. Natural-born US citizen
3. Lived in the US for 14 years
Know the order of succession to the presidency (first 4).
1. Vice President
2. Speaker of the house
3. Pro tempore of the senate
4. secretary of state
What 3 groups of people was welfare originally designed to help?
1. Unemployed
2. Disabled
3. Elderly
What will the senate do if they don't like a presidential appointment?
Delay, obstruct, or reject the nomination.
What are the 3 purposes of a national convention
1. select presidential and vice presidential candidates
2. To reunify the party
3. Adopt a party platform
What makes good or bad presidents today?
Good: Leadership, effective communication, etc.
Bad: Poor communication, bad public speaking, etc.
What was the most recent executive department established?
Department of Homeland Security
Who usually speaks to re-unify a party at the national convention?
A former president
What is the cabinet?
Group of the presidnet's closest advisors
How long does a president's term last?
4 years
What is Super Tuesday? What is its significance?
It gives you your first clear front-runners in the election. Gives you front-runner momentum.
Who decides the president if there's no majority vote in the Electoral College?
House of Representatives
What is the maximum number of terms and years a president may serve?
2 terms or 10 years in office.
What are the 3 flaws with the Electoral College?
1. "Winner Take All" system
2. Disproportionate representation
3. Focus on swing states
How many presidents have we had?
45
Who was the first female to be nominated for vice-president for one of the major political parties?
Geraldine Ferraro
How many electoral votes does Tennessee receive? How do you arrive at that number?
11 votes and depends on the size of its congressional delegation.
How many executive departments are there?
15
How many electoral votes are available on election night?
538 electoral votes
What 3 games must the president master while in office?
1. Agenda
2. Image
3. Coalition
What is a presidential primary?
When a state selects delegates to attend a national convention in order to express a preference for a candidate.
What were FDR's radio communications to the public called?
Fireside Chats
Who is the current secretary of state?
Marco Rubio
Who announces the official winner of the presidential election?
Head of the Senate
What did the 22nd Amendment do?
Prohibits anyone who has been elected president twice from being elected to the office again.
What 3 groups make up Iron Triangles?
1. Congressional committee
2. Government agency
3. Interest group
Who was the first and only president to be appointed to office?
George Washington