For a candidate to be considered a contender in 2004, how much money do experts say candidates will need to raise just to get past the primaries and caucuses?
a. $10,000 to $20,000
b. $100,000 to $200,000
c. $2 million to $3 million
d. $20 million to $30 million
What are the Iowa caucuses?
a. elections by party members to nominate candidates
b. meetings of party officials and activists to nominate candidates
c. food festivals in big tents whereby the candidate with the best buffet wins
d. a series of bicycle races over seven days in which the candidates participate. Winner takes all.
What state holds the first primary?
a. New Jersey
b. New Hampshire
c. New Mexico
d. New York
The presidential election is held every four years, with the next one in 2004. What day does it take place?
a. the first Saturday in May
b. Presidents' Day, February 18
c. the first Tuesday in November
d. the third Thursday in November
In presidential elections, voters actually choose electors who will vote for the President in the electoral college. Each state—and Washington, D.C.—is assigned a number of electoral votes, which is based on population. Whoever wins a state gets all of the electoral votes from that state. There are 538 electoral votes in all. How many does a candidate need to win the election?
a. 538
b. 435
c. 270
d. 50
After being nominated, a presidential candidate will pick a running mate. If elected, the running mate serves as Vice President. Who did President Bush choose in 2000 as his running mate?
a. Al Gore
b. Joe Lieberman
c. Dick Cheney
d. Condoleezza Rice
The national conventions are meetings of the parties' delegates to nominate a candidate for President. Cities can make a lot of money from these conventions. This city, which will host the Republicans in 2004, is expected to get an economic boost of $150 million from all the visitors. Which city is host?
a. New York
b. Philadelphia
c. Boston
d. San Francisco
America has many political parties, but two of them dominate the political scene in what is called a "two-party system." Which parties are they?
a. Republican and Green parties
b. Republican and Libertarian parties
c. Republican and Birthday parties
d. Republican and Democratic parties
This Green Party candidate won the nomination in 2000, and is running again. What is his name?
a. Al Gore
b. Al Franken
c. Ralph Nader
d. Arnold Schwarzenegger
President Bush is running in 2004 for a second term. When Presidents run for office again, they have a big advantage over challengers because they are constantly in the news. Which of the following terms means "holding office"?
a. indulgent
b. patient
c. omniscient
d. incumbent
