Question 1

According to the text, which of the following personal characteristics is critically important to a governor's success?

Accepted Answer

A)  leadership 
B)  business acumen 
C)  a sense of humor 
D)  high self-esteem 
A)  leadership 
B)  business acumen 
C)  a sense of humor 
D)  high self-esteem A

Question 2

Which of the following is NOT a factor that has contributed to stronger policy leadership from chief executives in recent years?

Accepted Answer

A)  larger and more capable staffs 
B)  more integrated executive branch with department heads appointed by the governor 
C)  stronger legislative committee systems that reduce the influence of parties 
D)  the assistance of the National Governors Association 
A)  larger and more capable staffs 
B)  more integrated executive branch with department heads appointed by the governor 
C)  stronger legislative committee systems that reduce the influence of parties 
D)  the assistance of the National Governors Association C

Question 3

What role does incumbency play in gubernatorial political races?

Accepted Answer

A)  It provides no significant advantage because around three-quarters of incumbent governors have lost their bids for reelection during the past twenty years. 
B)  It is the deciding factor, far outweighing money and the strength of the candidate's political party in the state electorate. 
C)  It is rarely a factor because so few sitting governors can legally run for a second term. 
D)  It provides an important edge over an opponent, as reflected in the fact that during the past thirty-five years, around three-quarters of incumbents have retained their seats. 
A)  It provides no significant advantage because around three-quarters of incumbent governors have lost their bids for reelection during the past twenty years. 
B)  It is the deciding factor, far outweighing money and the strength of the candidate's political party in the state electorate. 
C)  It is rarely a factor because so few sitting governors can legally run for a second term. 
D)  It provides an important edge over an opponent, as reflected in the fact that during the past thirty-five years, around three-quarters of incumbents have retained their seats. D

Question 4

Describe the formal and informal powers generally held by governors. Discuss which of the powers in general (informal vs. formal) are the most important for a successful governor to employ.

Accepted Answer

Formal powers held by governors include

Question 5

Which of the following statements about the governors' role as chief administrator is true?

Accepted Answer

A)  The role has been expanded because it has become necessary to micromanage the state's day-to-day affairs. 
B)  The role has been undercut by the shift of state programs and dollars to the federal level. 
C)  The role has been strengthened by reforms that have concentrated executive powers in the governor's office. 
D)  The role has been welcomed by nearly all governors, who prefer it to the role of policymaker. 
A)  The role has been expanded because it has become necessary to micromanage the state's day-to-day affairs. 
B)  The role has been undercut by the shift of state programs and dollars to the federal level. 
C)  The role has been strengthened by reforms that have concentrated executive powers in the governor's office. 
D)  The role has been welcomed by nearly all governors, who prefer it to the role of policymaker.

Question 6

The cost of gubernatorial campaigns is less expensive today than in the past because of public financing.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 7

During the early days of the nation, the state legislature, rather than voters, typically elected governors.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 8

The only state in which the governor does not have any veto power is Nebraska.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 9

Which of the following statements about the duties of the secretary of state in state government is true?

Accepted Answer

A)  performs the same duties as the secretary of state in the national government 
B)  usually responsible for overseeing agricultural policy 
C)  primarily involved in record keeping and election responsibilities 
D)  most often responsible for disbursement of state funds 
A)  performs the same duties as the secretary of state in the national government 
B)  usually responsible for overseeing agricultural policy 
C)  primarily involved in record keeping and election responsibilities 
D)  most often responsible for disbursement of state funds

Question 10

Only three African Americans have been elected governor.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 11

The office of lieutenant governor ensures orderly succession in the event of the loss of the governor, and this office

Accepted Answer

A)  exists in all 50 states. 
B)  exists in all but five states. 
C)  is always filled by a member of the governor's opposing political party. 
D)  must be filled by a member of the governor's political party. 
A)  exists in all 50 states. 
B)  exists in all but five states. 
C)  is always filled by a member of the governor's opposing political party. 
D)  must be filled by a member of the governor's political party.

Question 12

The states elect some 300 officials to their executive branches, not counting the fifty governors.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 13

Surveys of past governors indicate that they consider appointment power to be the most important weapon in their arsenal when it comes to managing state bureaucracy.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 14

Trace the historic shifts, since the founding of the Republic, in the formal powers of the state governors. Cite the major themes in public opinion or the political eras that have led to those shifts in the allocation of power.

Accepted Answer

Since the founding of the Republic, the

Question 15

Eighteen states do NOT elect the governor and lieutenant governor as a team.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 16

Traditionally, the power to reorganize state government belongs to the

Accepted Answer

A)  governor, under constitutional authority in thirty-six states. 
B)  legislature, and few states have altered this power. 
C)  legislature, but today more than twenty states grant their governor this authority. 
D)  governor, but today more than twenty states grant their legislature this authority. 
A)  governor, under constitutional authority in thirty-six states. 
B)  legislature, and few states have altered this power. 
C)  legislature, but today more than twenty states grant their governor this authority. 
D)  governor, but today more than twenty states grant their legislature this authority.

Question 17

On average, governors veto around 15 percent of the bills that reach their desks.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 18

Today, more than twenty states specifically authorize their chief executive to reorganize the bureaucracy through executive order.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 19

The governor's role as intergovernmental coordinator is becoming less important with each passing year, a reflection of the diminishing power of the states in American federalism.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 20

Today, the average number of professional and clerical gubernatorial staff members is approximately

Accepted Answer

A)  62. 
B)  15. 
C)  210. 
D)  29. 
A)  62. 
B)  15. 
C)  210. 
D)  29.

According to the text, which of the following personal characteristics is critically important to a governor's success?

Which of the following is NOT a factor that has contributed to stronger policy leadership from chief executives in recent years?

What role does incumbency play in gubernatorial political races?

Describe the formal and informal powers generally held by governors. Discuss which of the powers in general (informal vs. formal) are the most important for a successful governor to employ.

Which of the following statements about the governors' role as chief administrator is true?

The cost of gubernatorial campaigns is less expensive today than in the past because of public financing.

During the early days of the nation, the state legislature, rather than voters, typically elected governors.

The only state in which the governor does not have any veto power is Nebraska.

Which of the following statements about the duties of the secretary of state in state government is true?

Only three African Americans have been elected governor.

The office of lieutenant governor ensures orderly succession in the event of the loss of the governor, and this office

The states elect some 300 officials to their executive branches, not counting the fifty governors.

Surveys of past governors indicate that they consider appointment power to be the most important weapon in their arsenal when it comes to managing state bureaucracy.

Trace the historic shifts, since the founding of the Republic, in the formal powers of the state governors. Cite the major themes in public opinion or the political eras that have led to those shifts in the allocation of power.

Eighteen states do NOT elect the governor and lieutenant governor as a team.

Traditionally, the power to reorganize state government belongs to the

On average, governors veto around 15 percent of the bills that reach their desks.

Today, more than twenty states specifically authorize their chief executive to reorganize the bureaucracy through executive order.

The governor's role as intergovernmental coordinator is becoming less important with each passing year, a reflection of the diminishing power of the states in American federalism.

Today, the average number of professional and clerical gubernatorial staff members is approximately

New Directions for State and Local Governments

Federalism and the States

State Constitutions

Citizen Participation and Elections

Political Parties, Interest Groups, and Campaigns

State Legislatures

Public Administration: Budgeting and Service Delivery

The Judiciary

State Local Relations

Local Government: Structure and Leadership

Taxing and Spending

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Exam 7: Governors

According to the text, which of the following personal characteristics is critically important to a governor's success?

Which of the following is NOT a factor that has contributed to stronger policy leadership from chief executives in recent years?

What role does incumbency play in gubernatorial political races?

Describe the formal and informal powers generally held by governors. Discuss which of the powers in general (informal vs. formal) are the most important for a successful governor to employ.

Which of the following statements about the governors' role as chief administrator is true?

The cost of gubernatorial campaigns is less expensive today than in the past because of public financing.

During the early days of the nation, the state legislature, rather than voters, typically elected governors.

The only state in which the governor does not have any veto power is Nebraska.

Which of the following statements about the duties of the secretary of state in state government is true?

Only three African Americans have been elected governor.

The office of lieutenant governor ensures orderly succession in the event of the loss of the governor, and this office

The states elect some 300 officials to their executive branches, not counting the fifty governors.

Surveys of past governors indicate that they consider appointment power to be the most important weapon in their arsenal when it comes to managing state bureaucracy.

Trace the historic shifts, since the founding of the Republic, in the formal powers of the state governors. Cite the major themes in public opinion or the political eras that have led to those shifts in the allocation of power.

Eighteen states do NOT elect the governor and lieutenant governor as a team.

Traditionally, the power to reorganize state government belongs to the

On average, governors veto around 15 percent of the bills that reach their desks.

Today, more than twenty states specifically authorize their chief executive to reorganize the bureaucracy through executive order.

The governor's role as intergovernmental coordinator is becoming less important with each passing year, a reflection of the diminishing power of the states in American federalism.

Today, the average number of professional and clerical gubernatorial staff members is approximately

New Directions for State and Local Governments

Federalism and the States

State Constitutions

Citizen Participation and Elections

Political Parties, Interest Groups, and Campaigns

State Legislatures

Public Administration: Budgeting and Service Delivery

The Judiciary

State Local Relations

Local Government: Structure and Leadership

Taxing and Spending

Filters