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This test consists of 15 multiple choice questions and 5 short answer questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Who told the Atlanta convention that the Democratic party "needs both its left wing and its right wing to fly"?
(a) Michael Dukakis.
(b) Jesse Jackson.
(c) George H. W. Bush.
(d) Bill Clinton.

2. Who did O'Rourke credit with George H. W. Bush's meteoric rise to popularity?
(a) His wife.
(b) The media.
(c) His overzealous fans.
(d) School teachers.

3. What nickname did O'Rourke give to the generation that was attending high school when his book was written?
(a) The "Sesame Street" generation.
(b) The Coca-Cola generation.
(c) The Pizza Hut generation.
(d) The "Home Alone" generation.

4. O'Rourke points out that the manual for what automobile is 4 times as long as the U.S. Constitution?
(a) Toyota Camry.
(b) Ford Mustang.
(c) Dodge Neon.
(d) Chevrolet Camero.

5. O'Rourke jokingly compared the political conventions to a special-occasion event, with whom in the broadcast booth?
(a) Katie Couric.
(b) Matt Lauer.
(c) Bryant Gumbel.
(d) Kathy Lee Gifford.

6. What exists in a state of perpetual failure because motion is valued above direction and achievement?
(a) Social security.
(b) The Democratic party.
(c) Government.
(d) The Republican party.

7. How many letters to a congressman did O'Rourke read before finding a thank-you letter?
(a) 250.
(b) 35.
(c) 1,000.
(d) 700.

8. Who was the presidential candidate for the Democrats when O'Rourke visited the political conventions of both parties?
(a) Bush.
(b) Dukakis.
(c) Clinton.
(d) Carter.

9. What party game does O'Rourke liken the American political system to?
(a) Spin the bottle.
(b) Texas hold 'em.
(c) Pin the tail on the donkey.
(d) Pinata.

10. O'Rourke revealed that congressmen use what items that offer a summary of a proposed bill?
(a) A "cheat sheet."
(b) An "info guide."
(c) A "cheat card."
(d) An "info sheet."

11. For what state was Dukakis governor in 1988?
(a) Maryland.
(b) Virginia.
(c) Massachusetts.
(d) Vermont.

12. Who was the keynote speaker at the 1988 Democratic convention?
(a) Bill Clinton.
(b) Ann Richards.
(c) Ted Kennedy.
(d) Jim Hightower.

13. What television program ran a story about "runaway car syndrome" in an Audi model?
(a) "Dateline."
(b) "The Today Show."
(c) "60 Minutes."
(d) "NBC Nightly News."

14. Who does O'Rourke say has more respect for their electorates than the American parties?
(a) The Iranian republic.
(b) The Canadian constitutional monarchy.
(c) The Soviet Communists.
(d) The Saudi Arabian absolute monarchy.

15. Who is the author of "The Power Game: How Washington Works"?
(a) Jeffrey Simpson.
(b) Hedrick Smith.
(c) Christopher Cav.
(d) Jason Watson.

Short Answer Questions

1. Who was the attorney for the plaintiffs during a flag desecration case?

2. Who was the solicitor general during a flag desecration case?

3. When O'Rourke paints a cynical picture of the concept of "majority rule," what does he say that all pants will be made of?

4. O'Rourke comes to the conclusion that the president's role in government is largely symbolic after referring to a presidential agenda from what day?

5. Seeing the strange collection of tourists, journalists, and protesters, O'Rourke contemplated that Washington really needs what?

(see the answer keys)

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