REVIEW SHEETS
REVIEW FOR FIRST EXAM
Sample Short Answer:
party platforms
Barber's psychological classification scheme
purpose of national conventions
electoral college
positivity bias and "going public"
purpose and impact of presidential debates
purpose and impact of negative ads
consequences of high expectations of the president
difference between President Bush's response to Hurricane Katrina and President Kennedy's response to the Bay of Pigs fiasco
media events
permanent campaign
difference between the "heroic" president and the "imperial" president
how the electoral system shapes the presidency
partisan basis of politics
social basis of politics
dealignment
groupthink
multiple advocacy
news conference
according to Table 2-4 in the Pika and Maltese book, describe the pattern in voting turnout for presidential elections 1960-2004
importance of Iowa and New Hampshire in the presidential selection process
impact of the economy and war on public approval of the president
Sample Essay:
Explain the primary season and general election process through your eyes as a candidate for the presidency
According to Michael Genovese, "In a crisis, the normal checks and balances neither check nor balance. Power gravitates to the president." How does this affect the political system in general and the presidency in particular?
Pika and Maltese describe three theories of presidential power - - constitutional power, stewardship theory and prerogative power. Briefly describe each one. Pika and Maltese associate a specific president with each theory.....who are they? In your view, which theory appears to be most appropriate for modern presidents and why?
REVIEW FOR SECOND EXAM
Sample Short Answer: Identify and Describe the Significance
In class, five sources of conflict between the president and the Congress were discussed. Describe two of them.
Five legislative skills presidents use to persuade Congress to support the administration's agenda were discussed in class. Give a specific example for two of these skills
How previous commitments and time constraints affect presidential decision making
President Kennedy and the Cuban Missile Crisis
President Clinton's "don't ask, don't tell" policy
Level of Analysis problem in the foreign policymaking process
Why President Johnson decided not to run again in 1968
The Electoral College: a) keep it as established by the Founders, b) keep it but allocate electoral votes in proportion to the popular vote in each state, c) abolish it in favor of the popular vote. Select one (1) option and briefly discuss it
Reagan 1 and Reagan 2 regarding his relationship with Mikhail Gorbachev, leader of the Soviet Union
Supreme Court's decision, U.S. v. Curtiss-Wright (1936)
Given an example of two of the following functions of the president: crisis management, morale builder, coalition building
Why few presidents provide decisive leadership on the social agenda (abortion, gun control, etc.)
In their chapter in The Environmental Presidency, Soden and Steel provide results of a survey that ranked modern presidents and their commitment to environmental protection. Which presidents ranked among the top four out of ten and why?
Five factors were discussed in class that are important in evaluating presidential leadership. Give a specific example for two of these qualities of leadership
Sample Essay:
When voting on legislation, should members of Congress show party loyalty to their leader (the president) or to their constituents' interests? Explain.
Given the important role of the presidency in American politics as discussed in class and in the readings, which institutional reform proposal would you support and why: 1) establish a one term, six year presidency, 2) keep the existing two-term presidency, 3) allow unlimited terms in office. What are the strengths and weaknesses of your choice?
Presidential scholar Michael Genovese argues that over the last three decades or so the presidency has failed or not lived up to our expectations. How would you evaluate Presidents Clinton and George W. Bush against Genovese's position?
Although George W. Bush lacked foreign policy experience he has been called a "war president." Explain.
Write an essay describing what you see as the legacy of the presidency of George W. Bush.
