Discuss the governor’s informal powers. What are the governor’s informal powers? How do the informal powers help the governor?

What will be an ideal response?

The governor’s informal powers are personal attributes that do not depend on the office but are specific to him or her. Four such powers are identified in the text: the popular mandate, the governor’s position on the political ambition ladder, the governor’s personal future as governor, and the governor’s personal approval rating. A good answer will identify and define each of these, as well as explain its significance. Students should also explain that the informal powers are most beneficial to a governor in his or her role as legislative leader.