AP U.S. Government and Politics Flashcards: Modern Campaigns
Written by AP Content Team, Verified for 2026 AP Exams, Last updated: May 2026
Review key ideas with interactive flashcards. This set includes 10 cards to help you master important concepts.
What is a primary consequence of rising campaign costs?
Rising campaign costs necessitate intensive and continuous fundraising efforts, making a candidate's ability to raise money a critical factor in their viability.
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What is a primary consequence of rising campaign costs?
Rising campaign costs necessitate intensive and continuous fundraising efforts, making a candidate's ability to raise money a critical factor in their viability.
Define 'intensive fundraising efforts' in the context of modern elections.
This term refers to the constant and demanding need for candidates to raise vast sums of money to cover the high costs of consultants, advertising, and staff in a modern campaign.
A campaign manager hires separate firms for polling, digital ads, and direct mail. This action is an example of which modern campaign characteristic?
This is an example of the dependence on professional consultants to manage specialized aspects of a modern campaign.
What role do professional consultants play in modern campaigns?
Professional consultants are specialists hired by campaigns to manage specific areas like media strategy, polling, and fundraising, making the campaign organization more sophisticated.
What are the two primary uses of social media in modern campaigns?
Campaigns rely on social media for direct communication with the electorate and as a powerful platform for fundraising, often through soliciting small-dollar donations.
How do modern campaign strategies collectively affect the election process?
These strategies professionalize campaigns, elevate the importance of fundraising, extend the election timeline, and shift communication and fundraising toward social media platforms.
A candidate announces their run for president nearly two years before the election. What modern campaign trend does this reflect?
This reflects the trend of increasingly long and extended election cycles, which require early fundraising and organization.
What is a potential drawback of a campaign's heavy dependence on professional consultants?
A drawback is that the campaign's message can become overly poll-driven and less authentic, potentially alienating voters seeking a genuine connection with the candidate.
What is a major benefit for a campaign that effectively uses social media?
A major benefit is the ability to bypass traditional media outlets and communicate a tailored message directly and instantly to supporters and potential voters.
How has the duration of election cycles changed in the modern era?
Modern election cycles have become significantly longer, with candidates often beginning their campaigns and fundraising activities well over a year before an election.