The Variable Oppositional Majority in National crisis

Circle the variable Oppositional Majority in National crisis (like Election resulted in a Congress terrorist attack or natural disaster) narrow, contested win Skill in working with Actions of foreign Supportive Majority in Congress nations against U.S. Congress Election resulted in a Strong economy at time Skill in gathering public landslide win of inauguration support for agenda Based on the variables above and the degree to which presidents do or do not have control over them, do you think it’s fair to evaluate presidents based on their First 100 Days in office? Explain your answer. C. Mandates Matter Too?

A presidential mandate is believed to occur when the results of an election are clear and direct, showing that the president has significant popular support for his or her agenda.

The idea of a mandate is often used to persuade Congress to pass legislation that the president supports, since the American public voted so strongly in one direction. But is the idea of a mandate as straightforward as it sounds? Read each statement argument and select which is the strongest for each side, explaining your answer.

Mandates Make Sense Mandates Are… Meh A- The presidential election is the main opportunity for A- Low voter turnout means that a president may really the American public to show support for the policies they have only received strong support from much less of the think are best for the nation.

American public than it looks on the surface. B- Winning by a landslide or a slim majority doesn’t B- Presidents have claimed mandates after only winning matter. If a candidate wins, their agenda should be 51% of the vote. The use of the term has lost it’s what’s put through Congress. meaning over time. Which is the stronger argument?

Which is the stronger argument? Why? Why? If you were in charge, how would you define a mandate? In the space below, determine the threshold for each element. If a newly elected president meet or exceeds your thresholds, they will have a mandate. Voter Turnout: Share of the Popular Vote: Share of the Electoral College: Higher than % Higher than % Higher than % Lesson Activities – Side B IVICS @ 2017 iCivics, Inc.