Deck 2: Selecting the President Introductory Puzzle: How Was Jefferson Almost Beaten

Question 1

Jefferson won the popular vote in 1800.

Answer 1

True
Explanation:Jefferson earned more than 60% of the popular vote in the election.

Question 2

Jefferson won the electoral college vote in 1800.

Answer 2

True
Explanation:Ultimately, Jefferson won 73 votes to Adams' 65. However, Jefferson also tied with his running mate, Aaron Burr, which thrust the election into the House of Representatives to determine who should win the tie. After three dozen ballots, Jefferson prevailed and became president with Burr his vice-president.

Question 3

Eligible male turnout never dropped below 70% from 1840 to 1896.

Answer 3

True
Explanation:On the strength of significant voter mobilization efforts, turnout rocketed to 80% of eligible adult males in 1840 and stayed high throughout the rest of the century, averaging about 77% and never dropping below 70% in each presidential election through 1896.

Question 4

Did delegates to the Constitutional Convention consider presidential term limits?

A) No, the delegates did not consider term limits.
B) Yes, delegates chose to limit the president to one seven-year term.
C) Yes, delegates chose to limit the president to two four-year terms.
D) Yes, but they decided against term limits because they worried that a term limited president might seek to maintain power through military force.

Question 5

The King Caucus was:

A) The Republican congressional caucus that had defacto control over presidential selection from 1808 to 1824.
B) An organization of loyalists to the British Crown that sought to restore British rule.
C) A pejorative term for Andrew Jackson's supporters in Congress.
D) A group of southern Democrats who defended the institution of slavery.

Question 6

Who was the first sitting president to actively campaign for reelection?

A) Franklin D. Roosevelt
B) Theodore Roosevelt
C) William McKinley
D) Herbert Hoover

Question 7

From 1836 to 1936, Democratic nominating conventions were longer and more contentious because:

A) As the dominant political party, their nomination was more important.
B) The Democratic Party allowed voters to elect the convention delegates, preventing party insiders from selecting a unifying candidate .
C) The Democratic nominee was required to garner at least two-thirds of convention delegates to secure the nomination.
D) This statement is false: Democratic conventions were actually less contentious because they were based on majority rule.

Question 8

What kind of impact do Superdelegates have on the selection of the Democratic presidential nominee?

A) None: they are allowed to attend the convention but cannot vote.
B) Superdelegates would lose legitimacy if they decided a nomination at the convention, but their endorsements still have a large impact in the ""invisible primary.""
C) Superdelegates make up 20% of all delegates and have decided the Democratic nominee at the convention in several nomination contests.
D) Superdelegates have little influence because they are unwilling to go against the primary winner.

Question 9

Which of the following is NOT a barrier to reforming the current nomination sequence?

A) The public supports the present system and is opposed to change.
B) It is difficult for political parties to impose sanctions on state parties that disobey party primary rules.
C) If Congress imposed a national primary system, states would challenge its constitutionality.
D) States, not parties, control when primaries are held.

Question 10

Which of the following is NOT a barrier to reforming the electoral college?

A) There is strong public support for the electoral college.
B) The electoral college typically selects the popular vote winner.
C) Small states have an incentive to maintain their current overrepresentation.
D) Three-quarters of states must approve a constitutional amendment.