American Government Homework Six

From Conservapedia

American Government.
Sixth Homework

Read the chapter on “Public Opinion”, pp. 113-117 in the textbook. Take the 15 multiple choice questions at the end. Grade your answers yourself, and include your score in your homework. Study what you missed.

Good news: this is an easy week. Questions 1-9 are worth 3 points each.

1. Give two reasons why internet polls are not accurate representations of what the overall public thinks.

2. Explain what an exit poll is, and why it may be too inaccurate to predict the outcome in a very close election.

3. The media talks about political views as though they are on a straight line: the “left” is liberal, the “center” is “moderate”, and the “right” is “conservative”. Why might a circle be a better model than a straight line?

4. The fastest growing age group of voters in America is: (a) under 18; (b) between 18 and 35; (c) over 65; (d) over 100. What is the significance of this demographic fact?

5. The best single predictor of how a group votes on Election Day is _____________. Explain.

6. Children argue with their parents about politics, but usually vote as they did. E.g., children of Democrats usually become Democrats themselves. Why?

7. Design a two-question poll about the death penalty that is slanted in order to maximize a response against the death penalty. Then design poll questions about the death penalty slanted in order to maximize support for it.

8. The most reliable poll about the political prospects of the president and his party is his “approval rating." Why is this poll more reliable than most polls?

9. Do polls have too much influence in American politics, or do they have a valuable role? Explain with an example.

Super Extra Credit (worth 5 points):

10. Would the Republicans have a better chance of beating Hillary Clinton in 2008 by nominating a conservative or a “moderate”? Explain your answer.