[1.8.12] Truths About the American Political System

1) The candidates don't come up with their own budget. 0
2) Everything is all about money. -
3) A single campaign can cost up to 6 billion dollars. -
4) "Experience" is a good word to use in commercials, but "track record" proves to be 25% better - word choice counts. 0
5) The relationship with constituents is very important. +

6) Ads usually manipulate and distort the truth. -
7) Speeches are very important in a campaign. +
8) Candidates tend to be much more moderate during general elections, more than primaries. -
9) Historically, American political parties have been more interested in winning public office than in maintaining ideological purity -
10) State and local parties have their own resources and power bases separate from those of the national party. +

11) The United States has a two party system. 0
12) Both the national and state governments have powers (federalism). +

13) 30% to 40% or voters claim to be independent. 0

14) Voter turnout has decreased in recent decades. 0

15) The federal government is made up of three branches. +

16) The Supreme Court is "independent." 0

17) For a president to be impeached, the House needs to vote on impeachment and the Senate has to vote to convict the president. +

18) The Establishment Clause states that the government cannot set an official religion or favor one religion over another. +

19) The typical member of Congress is a mid-50 to early-60-year old male with advanced degrees in law. He is usually Roman Catholic. -

20) There are laws that try to limit campaign contributions. 0