My FRQ Response for 1999 Interest Group Question

A. The NAACP has successfully targeted both the executive and legislative branches for consideration of civil rights issues. Perhaps its most impressive victory was its role in the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Through its organizational campaigns which included sit-ins, boycotts, and other advocacy measures the NAACP brought international attention to the Jim Crow South that could not be ignored. The NAACP also successfully lobbied members of Congress as well as the President of the United States through phone calls and letter writing campaigns. A considerable amount of pressure was placed on Lyndon B. Johnson by the NAACP to convince the congress to pass the both the Civil Rights Act and the Voting Rights Act of 1965.

B. One resource that the NAACP draws upon is its prestige and historical record for successfully advocating civil rights issues for African-Americans. This interest group has been in existence for well over 100 years. Its former and current membership includes such luminary figures of the civil rights movement as the Reverend Ralph Abernathy, Senator John Lewis as well as the late Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. When the NAACP gets involved with a dispute given its historical record and prestige, both the media and ultimately the congress often pays attention to their concerns.

C. Another resource that the NAACP draws upon is its extensive financial resources and substantial membership that have allowed it to lobby members of Congress for voting consideration and other matters. Through its large membership and extensive budget, the NAACP has been able to focus attention on certain congressional voting records (for better or worse). The NAACP like many interest groups, encourages its members to vote for certain candidates and to withhold support from others. Its extensive membership and financial resources make it an unavoidable force to be reckoned with.

Wednesday's Sabato Quiz

Class,

Here is the quiz for Wednesday corresponding to pages 434 to 440. See you tomorrow!

Sabato Quiz #3 on Political Parties

1) Who ran under the Reform Party?
A) Ross Perot
B) Jesse Ventura
C) Pat Buchanan
D) All of the above.
E) None of the above.

2) What is the most important function of national party chair?
A) to draft the platform
B) to raise money
C) to recruit candidates
D) to organize workshops for party volunteers
E) to distribute patronage

3) Every four years the parties nominate a presidential candidate through a
A) party platform.
B) smoke-filled-room procedure.
C) national convention.
D) conference committee.
E) national nominating committee.

4) The smallest unit of the party organization is
A) the county.
B) the district.
C) the region.
D) the state.
E) the precinct.

5) Organizations created to circumvent the Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act that can receive
unlimited campaign donations are called
A) cluster clucks.
B) money grinders.
C) BCRAnaires.
D) dolezzas.
E) 527 groups.

6) Think tanks influence
A) party positions.
B) campaign funding.
C) congressional reformation.
D) social capital.
E) secular realignments.

7) Which of the following think tanks is more scholarly and less partisan?
A) the American Enterprise Institute
B) the Heritage Foundation
C) the Cato Institute
D) the Brookings Institution
E) the Open Society Institute

8) Which of the following was virtually unregulated?
A) soft money
B) hard money
C) campaign contributions to a political party
D) campaign contributions to a candidate
E) campaign contributions to a political action committee

9) Which of the following most accurately describes fundraising in the 2006 midterm elections?
A) Democrats raised nearly $100 million more than Republicans raised.
B) Republicans raised nearly $100 million more than Democrats raised.
C) Democrats and Republicans raised nearly equal amounts of money.
D) Democrats raised about half as much money as Republicans raised.
E) Republicans raised more money than the Democrats because Republicans accepted soft
money while Democrats did not.

10) Howard Dean revolutionized the use of
A) the plum book for rewarding patronage.
B) the Internet for raising campaign money.
C) the “Main Street” Internet site.
D) soft money.
E) EMILY’s List.

Tomorrow's Sabato Quiz

Hi Class,


Don't forget your FRQ on Interest Groups is due at beginning of class tomorrow. If you need a little help answering this one, go to the following link and view but DON'T COPY: http://www.mtbarclay.com/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderfiles/1999FRQ.doc
The Sabato reading for tomorrow is pages 426-33. The quiz is as follows:

Political Parties Quiz #2

1) Who ran a political machine?
A) William Tweed
B) Andrew Jackson
C) John Fremont
D) Barry Goldwater
E) Peter Wright

2) In a direct primary system, who selects party candidates?
A) political machines
B) party bosses
C) qualified voters
D) party conventions
E) party leaders

3) Progressives embraced
A) civil service laws.
B) political machines.
C) patronage.
D) strong political parties.
E) party conventions.

4) Civil service laws require
A) compulsory voting.
B) compulsory education through the tenth grade.
C) patronage.
D) appointment based on merit.
E) ticket splitting.

5) The decline in political parties brought about by the Progressive era reforms has led to
A) party machines.
B) candidate-centered politics.
C) party realignment.
D) secular realignment.
E) logrolling.

6) A shifting of party coalition groupings in the electorate that remains in place for several
elections is known as
A) punctuated misalignment.
B) an electoral tsunami.
C) ticket splitting.
D) party realignment.
E) a coalitional government.

7) Which of the following was a critical election?
A) James Polk in 1844
B) Franklin Pierce in 1852
C) Grover Cleveland in 1884
D) Franklin Roosevelt in 1932
E) Dwight Eisenhower in 1952

8) Where can one find proportional representation?
A) in the Senate
B) in the presidency
C) in Europe
D) in the California legislature
E) in the Nebraska legislature

9) Congressional elections use a
A) winner-take-all system.
B) proportional representation system.
C) instant runoff system.
D) party machine system.
E) platform party system.

10) Who ran under the Bull Moose Party?
A) George Wallace
B) Ross Perot
C) Theodore Roosevelt
D) Oliver North
E) Bernie Sanders

Tomorrow's Reading and Quiz

Class,

Actually this is a repost from last week. We will have the Sabato quiz on political parties tomorrow (11/29) to start things out:

http://www.mtbarclay.com/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderfiles/chapter12politicalparties.doc

Government Jeopardy for Test

US Government Students:

Copy and paste the following link into your browser for Exam Questions and Anwers: http://www.mtbarclay.com/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderfiles/legislativebranchjeapardy.ppt

Good Luck on the Test!

Mr. B.

Interest Group Work on Monday in the Library

Class,

Despite my desire to get back to the lecture material on Monday, I forgot that I set up the day for you to do some work on your Interest Group projects. I would say that you should have your background information already downloaded from home or library computers before Monday. Ideally, you would meet in your groups and map out who is doing what and begin the research/writing portion of the assignment. I placed an outline format on an earlier blog. I also posted a word version that you can find here: http://www.mtbarclay.com/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderfiles/interestgroupassignment.doc
Remember, the websites or most of your interest groups can be found here: http://mtbarclay.tripod.com/mrbarclaysgovernmentclassalisalhighschool200708/id18.html

This is one day in which you can work in class (okay, the library)on the project. Please use your time wisely and don't just use the occasion to socialize. Of course, I will be on hand to provide direction/feedback on your project.

I will check your binders for organzational accuracy therefore on Tuesday. It will be a quick walkaround for 20 points. The order again for the binders is as follows: Title Sheet on top of Binder ("AP Govt" your name and period. my syllabus in front before unit dividers (1) Lecture Notes (2) Pete Pew Notes (2) FRQ Write ups (3) Vocabulary Unit Handouts (4)Any worksheets with graphics (5) All readings related to Units. Unit tabs should be in place. All Testing information should be in back

tomorrow's Sabato

Class,

Check the link below for the Sabato quiz. Reading pages are 419-25. See you manna.
http://www.mtbarclay.com/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderfiles/chapter12politicalparties.doc

Monday's Sabato Reading Assignment

Class,

For Monday night's reading assignment, read pages: 594 to 602. You can find the Sabato quiz posted on the website here: http://www.mtbarclay.com/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderfiles/interestgroupsquiz3.doc

Cheers, Mr. B

Outline Form for Interest Group Assignment

Here is a format for you and group to consider for completing Interest Group Assignment. You may use another format if desired:


Interest Group Assignment (Substitute your Interest Group for the “AMA” Example Below)

Key Issues of Concern for (ie. “The AMA”)
* (minimum 5 sentences or bullets per section)
*
*
Legislation Related to (ie. “The AMA”)
*
*
*
Key Actions (ie. “The AMA”) Takes to Influence Policy and the Public Agenda:
*
*
*
Resources (ie. “The AMA”)Has to Make It Influential:
*
*
*
Parts of Government (ie. “The AMA”) Targets:
*
*
*
What (ie. “The AMA”) Does in Order to Support its Favorite Candidates:
*
*
*
(ie. “The AMA’s”) Political Ideology, the Legislation They Support and the Party They Support (or two news article summaries if your group is politically neutral):
*
*
*
The Strengths of (ie. “The AMA”):
*Back up with specific examples

The Weakness of (ie. “The AMA”)
*Back up with specific examples

Happy Veteran's Day

Period 3 Interest Group Assignments
MALDEF-M. Marquez

AMA-A. Velazquez

SIERRA CLUB-E. Montano

NATIONAL RIGHT TO LIFE-C. Cruz

GREENPEACE-J. Lopez

AMERICANS FOR DEMOCRATIC ACTION-M. Vidales, L. Medina

GREENPEACE-J. Rabanal, P Morales

NOW-B. Aguirre

SIERRA CLUB-M. Zarazua, J. Cruz

VETERANS OF FOREIGN WARS-F. Ambriz

INDEPENDENT WOMEN’S FORUM-A. Flores, G. Rocha

HANDGUN CONTROL INC.-J. Zavala

NAACP-M. Guido

PETA-J. Rocha

NATIONAL RIGHT TO LIFE-M. Parker

AFL-CIO-J. Amaral

US CHAMBER OF COMMERCE-J. Curiel

CHRISTIAN COALITION-A. Figueroa, C. Gonzalez, M. Vargas

AMA-No name, but third choice of this person following GreenPeace, National Right to Life—reason given: “Honestly for this third choice I want to know a little bit more about it”…Do you recognize yourself by your quote 

Period 2 Interest Group Assignments

Period 2 students, you now have your "official" assignments. You may begin your interest group assignment now. Remember, it is due at the end of Unit 3. Let me know if you have any questions.

NCAAP
Andrew Saravia
Jameson Modzingira
Mike Wamagum

United Farm Workers (UFW)
Yajaira Medrano

WRA
Thalia Lomeli
Shaine Pearson
Ivan Ramos

Business Roundtable
Daniel Reyna

Handgun Control, Inc
Humberto Ramirez

Environmental Defense Fund
Alejandro Garcia
Johnny Alonzo

National Right to Life
Dominga Xirum

(MRC) Marine Resources Committee
Alejandra Madrigal

PETA
Viridiana Santoyo
Gaby Pantojo

Association of Trial Lawyers of America
Jessica Mendoza

American Medical Association
Stephanie Vargas
Cassie Fernandez

National Resource Defense Council
Mayra Mata Juarez
Tere Gutierrez
Jose Gonzalez Jr.
Christian Coalition
Sandra Vasquez

Center for Equal Opportunity
Valentin Lopez
Zague Villarreal
Nathaniel Distancia

Club for Growth
Jesus H Picero
National Right to Life
Karla Guillen

GreenPeace
Victor Gutierrez

AB 540 Scholarship Link

At the recommendation of Viri Santoyo, here is a link to scholarship info for students without a social security number: http://www.mtbarclay.com/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderfiles/e4fcab540scholarships11.pdf

BTW, I am sure ALL students (including those with social security numbers)are eligible for this money...

Thank you Viri for the suggestion!

2004 FRQ Answer Rubric and Model Response

Class,

Remember, your homework assignement is to check and grade your FRQ for tomorrow. The rubric for Question #2 can be found here:

http://apcentral.collegeboard.com/apc/members/repository/ap04_sg_gopo_us_37090.pdf

The "model" student answer can be found here:

http://apcentral.collegeboard.com/apc/public/repository/ap04_gopous_q2_38679.pdf

IMPORTANT: For the model student response, refer to the last student FRQ or "C." That was the response that earned all 8 points.

Also, be prepared to turn in your choices for interest groups. That was the handout that had "first," "second," or "third" choice with rationale. Also include the name(s) of your team members. Remind me if I forget to ask you...

FRQ Warm Up for Tomorrow

Here is an FRQ warm up for tomorrow in lieu of a Sabato quiz. Look at the notes from today and you should be able to answer it:

Different interest groups will choose different techniques(tactics) to achieve their
objectives based on their resources, characteristics and goals.
a. Describe each of the following techniques and explain why an interest
group would choose each technique.
• Litigation
• Campaign contributions
• Grassroots lobbying/mass mobilization
b. Select one of the following groups and identify the primary technique it
uses from the list in part (a). Explain why the group you selected would
employ that technique over the other two techniques.
• American Medical Association (AMA)
• Sierra Club
• National Rifle Association (NRA)
• National Association for the Advancement of Colored People

Interest Group Assignment

Interest Group Assignment
Due: At End of Unit


1. Pick one of the interest groups listed on my webpage (http://mtbarclay.tripod.com/mrbarclaysgovernmentclassalisalhighschool200708/id18.html). You are free to pick another group if you have a different choice. Just ask or email me to be sure you have made a good choice.

2. Go to that group’s web site. I have link on my links page. Do NOT rely solely on the group’s site. Also, go to News Google and search for information on your group. That will help you find what issues they’ve been involved in recently. Research the following topics and type up a report (about three pages, double-spaced) covering those topics. You can simply put the topic as a heading and then give the information on that topic. (This isn’t meant to be a thesis-driven, unified essay.) You can give your information in a bullet-points list. Keep a list of sources you use and include them in your final product.

A. What are the issues your group is concerned with? What are some examples of legislation your group supports or opposes? What actions does your group take to try to influence policy and the public agenda? Is it involved in litigation? Give details. What resources make it influential? Give specific examples: (e.g. use of the media, law suits, direct lobbying, public information contributions, etc.) Which parts of the government does your group target, i.e. which executive branch departments and congressional committees?

B. What is the group’s political ideology? Does it favor one political party over the other? If so, does it have a history of supporting certain political candidates? What is it doing to support its favored candidates? What endorsements has it made? Make the connection between their political ideology, the legislation they support, and the party they support.

OR

If you think your group is absolutely neutral, say so. Many interest groups are neutral. Discuss the issues that your group is concerned with and then, for the points in this section you will do the following. Find and summarize two news articles relevant to your interest group. You can use http://news.google.com/ to find such articles. Use the information to show how your group is trying to influence public policy.

C. Assess your group: What are its strengths and weaknesses? How effective is it in achieving its agenda? Back up what you say with specific examples demonstrating their effectiveness or lack thereof.

Include citations of sources you use or lose 10 points. Here is how a website should be cited. Follow this model for History and Social Sciences papers.

"AARP." http://www.aarp.org/ (accessed 10/16/10).

Staple the rubric to the front of your paper or lose 10 points.

For Period 5, "Model" 2001 FRQ

2001 FRQ on Amending the Constitution

Two formal ways of amending the constitution are having the amendment proposed by 2/3 of both houses of Congress and ¾ of state legislatures ratify the amendment. This way has happened 27 times. The second way is having the amendment proposed by 2/3 of both houses and ¾ of special state conventions ratifying , as with the repeal of prohibition.

Two informal ways to change the constitution are by using the elastic/”necessary and proper” clause or by Supreme Court decisions. The elastic clause was used in expanding the role of Congress in interstate commerce. Congress can now regulate anything that crosses state borders. Supreme Court decisions have been used to change the meaning of the Constitution like in cases where they nationalized the Bill of Rights through the 14th Amendment. The elastic clause states that congress can do anything “necessary and proper” to carry out their expressed powers.

Informal methods are used most often because it takes much less work than formal methods. A lot of support is needed to add an amendment to the Constitution. It is much less difficult to change the Constitution with the elastic clause or Supreme Court decisions.

Election Night

Hi Class,

Hopefully, you are watching/listening to some of the Election Day coverage. It appears that the trends toward a Republican majority in the House and a narrow Democrat Senate lead is the way its going to turn out...We'll see. At 7:00 p.m., the night is still young.

Career Faire (in Hadden Gym) at least half of the classtime. We'll hold off on the Sabato quiz until Thursday. Here it is:

Sabato Interest Groups Quiz #2 for pages 585 to 592

1) Which of the following is a single-issue group?
A) MoveOn.org
B) AARP
C) U.S. Chamber of Commerce
D) National Rifle Association
E) NAACP

2) The right of citizens to form groups and to petition the government for changes in public
policies is protected by
A) the First Amendment.
B) the interest group clause.
C) the supremacy clause.
D) the interstate commerce clause.
E) the takings clause.

3) What did the Clayton Act do?
A) It allowed labor unions to form and guaranteed their right to strike.
B) It established open shop laws.
C) It granted vast swaths of land to the Central Pacific Railroad.
D) It allowed Standard Oil to drill on publicly owned land in Pennsylvania.
E) It required interest groups to share their membership lists with the government.

4) All of the following groups formed or reenergized during the 1960s or the 1970s EXCEPT
A) the American Civil Liberties Union.
B) the NAACP.
C) the Mexican American Legal Defense and Education Fund.
D) Common Cause.
E) the Christian Coalition.

5) During the 1960s and 1970s, what kinds of interest groups were most successful?
A) public interest and civil rights groups
B) conservative and Republican interest groups
C) religious and social conservative interest groups
D) gay and lesbian interest groups
E) faith-based and community imitative groups

6) Which new interest group helped elect Ronald Reagan?
A) Focus on the Family
B) the Moral Majority
C) Unsafe at Any Speed
D) Onward Christian Soldiers
E) Public Citizen, Inc.

7) Which of the following interest groups was the most instrumental in electing Republican
members of Congress in 1994 and in electing George W. Bush?
A) the National Electric Light Association
B) the 700 Club
C) the Christian Coalition
D) Common Cause
E) the National Association of Manufacturers



8) Who founded the Christian Coalition?
A) Ted Haggard
B) Jerry Falwell
C) Pat Robertson
D) James Dobson
E) Jimmy Swaggart

9) What is a voter guide?
A) instructions on how to use voting technology distributed by local election boards
B) summaries of candidatesʹ issue positions distributed by interest groups
C) lists of candidates officially endorsed by interest groups
D) descriptions of the job experiences of candidates distributed by public interest groups
E) calendars distributed by interest groups that contain the dates of upcoming elections

10) Which interest group has been successful under the George W. Bush administration and has
been described as ʺa fraternity of powerful and prestigious business leaders that tells
ʹbusinessʹs side of the storyʹ to legislators, bureaucrats, White House personnel, and other
interested public officials.ʺ
A) A Rising Tide Lifts All Boats
B) the Council for Economic Growth
C) the National Association of Manufacturers
D) the Chamber of Commerce
E) the Business Roundtable