1. AP US Government and Politics 2003 FRQs
By Mitch White
Marist Summer Institute
July 14, 2010

2. 2003 AP US Government & Politics FRQs
2003 AP US Gov FRQ #1
Presidential approval ratings fluctuate over the course of each presidential administration.
A. Identify two factors that decrease presidential approval ratings, and explain why each factor has that effect.
B. Identify two factors that decrease presidential approval ratings, and explain why each factor has that effect.
2003 AP US Government & Politics FRQs

3. 2003 AP US Government & Politics FRQs
Essential Questions
What factors increase and decrease presidential approval ratings?
How or why do these factors change presidential approval ratings?
2003 AP US Government & Politics FRQs

4. 2003 AP US Government & Politics FRQs
Vocabulary
Presidential Approval Rating:
The percentage of Americans who approve of the way the President is handling his job as President
As measured by a poll, most notably the Gallup Poll
Presidential approval drives presidential influence, and his ability to get things done (especially getting legislation passed).
See Wilson, pp
2003 AP US Government & Politics FRQs

5. Presidential Approval Ratings
2003 AP US Government & Politics FRQs

6. FACTORS THAT CAN DECREASE PRESIDENTIAL APPROVAL RATINGS
Presidential Scandals
Almost always lower presidential approval
Exs: Watergate, Iran-Contra, Monica Lewinsky
May be exceptions for especially good handling (e.g. “Checkers”)
Expectations Gap
Result of overly-ambitious campaign promises
Exs: Carter (change D.C.), Bush 41 (“no new taxes”)
Decline in Popularity over term (time)
Approval usually goes down overtime as “honeymoon” wears off
Exs: All Presidents from HST through BHO EXCEPT:
Ford (Special case), Reagan & Clinton (Unusually gifted politicians)
Bad Economic Conditions
President gets the blame (regardless of underlying causes)
Exs: Carter, Bush 41, Obama

7. FACTORS THAT CAN DECREASE PRESIDENTIAL APPROVAL RATINGS

8. FACTORS THAT CAN INCREASE PRESIDENTIAL APPROVAL RATINGS
Use of Media (“Spin”)
Effective use of media (radio, TV, newspapers, Internet) can
increase ratings above what they otherwise would be
Exs: Kennedy, Reagan
Note: Ineffective use of media does not in itself lower ratings
Good Economic Conditions
President gets the credit (regardless of underlying causes
Exs: Eisenhower 1st term, Reagan (post-1982), Clinton
Note: Ineffective use of media does not in itself lower ratings
Reelection (Campaign Effect)
Effect of running / making oneself attractive
Exs: Nixon in 1972, Reagan in 1984
Crises almost always raise popularity in the short term
Obvious exs: Release of Iranian hostages (RWR), 9/11 (GWB)
Less obvious exs: Bay of Pigs Invasion (JFK), Failed Iran hostage
rescue attempt (JEC)
But NOTE: Sustained international failures over a long period of
can devastate presidential popularity (Vietnam, LBJ)
Most Foreign Policy Problems / Crises

9. FACTORS THAT CAN INCREASE PRESIDENTIAL APPROVAL RATINGS

10. 2003 AP US Government & Politics FRQs
HOW or WHY
Each explanation must include either how by…) or why (because…) the factor causes change in approval ratings, e.g.:
By allowing Americans to see the President in a positive light, the effective use of media can increase presidential approval ratings. (HOW)
International problems usually increase presidential approval ratings (at least in the short term), because Americans want to feel unified behind their leader in times of foreign crises (WHY)
2003 AP US Government & Politics FRQs

11. 2003 AP US Government & Politics FRQs
2003 AP US Gov FRQ #2
Citizens often chose to participate in the political process in ways other than voting
A. Identify two forms of participation in the political process other than voting
B. Explain two advantages of each form of participation you identified in (A).
2003 AP US Government & Politics FRQs

12. 2003 AP US Government & Politics FRQs
Essential Questions
What are the ways (other than voting) that citizens can participate in the political process?
What are the advantages of each form of participation?
2003 AP US Government & Politics FRQs

13. Ways citizens participate in political process (other than voting)- - -
2003 AP US Government & Politics FRQs

14. Ways citizens participate in political process (other than voting)- - -
2003 AP US Government & Politics FRQs

15. Ways citizens participate in political process (other than voting)-
2003 AP US Government & Politics FRQs

16. Ways citizens participate in political process (other than voting)
No large number of people necessary (one person can originate)
Appeal to principle / law as opposed to public opinion
Ex: Brown v. Board of Education
Litigation
Public attention and sympathy
Low cost, often immediate response
Ex: Montgomery Bus Boycott
Protest
Direct access to leaders, magnification of numbers
Target specific actors and policy areas
Ex: Letter to the editor, writing a congresswoman
Contacting
2003 AP US Government & Politics FRQs

17. Ways citizens participate in political process (other than voting) cont.
Multiply individual interest
Training ground
Ex: Freedom Summer
Campaign work / voter registration
Direct influence on political decision-making
Ability to set policy agenda
Exs: Ralph Nader (2000), Harvey Milk
Running / holding political office
Bring others’ attention to the issues
Multiply influence
Exs: Discussing abortion with a friend
Political discussions
2003 AP US Government & Politics FRQs

18. Ways citizens participate in political process (other than voting) cont.
Solidarity with like-minded individuals
Magnifying effect and impact
Exs: NRA, NAACP, ACLU, AARP, NORML
Membership in political organization
2003 AP US Government & Politics FRQs

19. 2003 AP US Government & Politics FRQs
2003 AP US Gov FRQ #3
Using the data in the graph above and your knowledge of United States politics, perform the following tasks:
Identify two trends shown in the graph.
Explain how each of the following contributes to the difference between the federal and the state and local lines in the graph.
Block grants
Federal mandates
2003 AP US Government & Politics FRQs

20. 2003 AP US Government & Politics FRQs
Essential Question
Which level(s) of government are growing the fastest and what are the factors driving this growth?
2003 AP US Government & Politics FRQs

21. 2003 AP US Government & Politics FRQs
FRQ #3 Vocabulary
Block Grants (see Edwards, pp )
Federal money given to states (or local communities) without a specific purpose or category. The grantee can spend the money using its own discretion within a broad area such as community development or social services.
Compare categorical grants, which represent federal money sent to state and local governments with specific requirements of how that money will be spent.
Federal Mandates
Federal laws or regulations that require states and/or localities to take some action which will cost money, but without all (or in some cases, any) of the necessary federal money attached.
Exs: ADA, NCLB
2003 AP US Government & Politics FRQs

22. 2003 AP US Government & Politics FRQs
Trends
Remember – in order to qualify as a trend, your answer must span more than
one data point!
2003 AP US Government & Politics FRQs

23. Acceptable Trends Federal Level Stays Constant
State/local levels show general increase
Widening gap between the two lines
State / local show decline after 1990
Federal level dropped until 1947
2003 AP US Government & Politics FRQs

24. Block Grants
States able to obtain increased resources from Federal government / definition of block grants
Increases in state and local hiring
Led to
2003 AP US Government & Politics FRQs

25. Federal Mandates
Shift of responsibility to states / definition of federal mandates
Increases in state and local hiring
Led to
2003 AP US Government & Politics FRQs

26. 2003 AP US Government & Politics FRQs
2003 AP US Gov FRQ #4
Both party leadership and committees in Congress play key roles in the legislative process
A. Define two of the following elements of the congressional committee system and explain how each influences the legislative process
Specialization
Reciprocity/logrolling
Party representation on committees
B. Identify two ways party leadership in Congress can influence the legislative process, and explain how each way influences the process.
2003 AP US Government & Politics FRQs

27. 2003 AP US Government & Politics FRQs
Essential Question
How does Congressional leadership and committees influence the legislative process?
2003 AP US Government & Politics FRQs

28. 2003 AP US Government & Politics FRQs
2003 FRQ #4 Vocabulary
Specialization
Members of Congress develop policy expertise
Reciprocity / logrolling
Vote trading / exchanges
Bargaining
Party representation on committees
Representation is reflective of the chamber as a whole
2003 AP US Government & Politics FRQs

29. Reciprocity / logrolling Party representation on committees
Specialization
Reciprocity / logrolling
Party representation on committees - - -
2003 AP US Government & Politics FRQs

30. Reciprocity / logrolling Party representation on committees
Specialization
Reciprocity / logrolling
Party representation on committees
Development of Expertise
Independence from Executive Branch
More attention paid to legislation
Division of labor
Better legislation (Explain HOW)
Speeds process
Government more expansive (can do more)
More porkbarrel spending (linked to reciprocity)
Note: Electoral success NOT accepted (doesn’t influence legislative process)
Party pushes its own agenda
Party determines leadership on committees
2003 AP US Government & Politics FRQs

31. 2003 AP US Government & Politics FRQs
Party Leadership
Assignment of members to committees
Assignment of committee chairs
Agenda-setting (rules committee)
Party discipline
Leadership use of media
Recognition on floor
Leadership control of electoral support
Note: Explain HOW above influences legislative process
2003 AP US Government & Politics FRQs