The term superdelegate refers to
elected officials and party leaders who are not required to pledge themselves in advance to a presidential candidate.

Party machines
are characterized by a high degree of leadership control over member activity.

Procedures such as the initiative and the referendum arose as efforts to give
citizens a direct say in making laws.

The most dramatic example of the winner-take-all principle in the U.S. electoral system is the
electoral college.

One reason that political parties in the United States today are weaker than in Europe is that, in the United States,
party leaders do not typically select people to run for office.

The three clearest cases of critical or realigning elections seem to be
1828, 1865, and 1896?

Between the national conventions party affairs are managed by a ______________ made up of delegates from each state and territory.
national committee

To win in a plurality system such as that in the United States, a candidate must
gather more votes than anyone else.

The first organized political party in American history was
made up of the followers of Jefferson.

In most states, candidates for office are chosen by
primary elections

This person manages the day-to-day work of the party.
National chairman

Which of the following statements about the two-party system is correct?
The United States is one of the few countries with such a system.

The Libertarian and Socialist Parties in the United States are examples of
ideological parties.

In Congress each party has a _______________ that helps members of Congress who are running for reelection or would-be members seeking election.
congressional campaign committee

Within both major parties, it is the ________ level that has most obviously declined.
grassroots

What role do political parties play in the lives of most Americans?
Most Americans separate political parties from other aspects of their lives.

The Founders saw political parties as
factions motivated by ambition and self-interest.

The political involvement of the United Auto Workers (UAW) in Detroit provides an example of a(n)
sponsored party.

Which of the following statements about the modern Republican Party is correct?
It emerged as a major party only after the Civil War.