4. Congressional elections Flashcards
What election was the important year redefining the party coalitions? why?
1964
LBJ pushed for civil rights legislation; GOP nominee Barry Goldwater opposed federal civil rights legislation
Why did Barry Goldwater say he opposed civil rights legislation?
states rights. federal gov overstepping. naturally people would stop discriminating against Black people especially if it is bad for business to have segregation
Who was the Alabama guy and why do we need to remember him?
George Wallace
Governor of Alabama (Dem)
1963 blocked doorway to stop Black students at uni of alabama
ran as third candidate in 1968 and carried 5 states in the south, demonstrating continuing popularity of racism in South
What is significant about how members of congress voted in the 1964 Civil Rights Act?
the split in votes for the civil rights act of 1964 was regional rather than along party lines
In UK candidates ___ for election; in the US they __ for election
stand
run
What is the name of the kentucky senate nominee that separated herself from Obama? when going up against mitch mcconnell
Senator Alison Grimes
What are the factors leading to candidate centered elections? (5)
- set election dates (not as flexible as in other countries)
- federal regulations/finance laws have weakened the parties
- different offices being up for election at different times
- individual districts for House elections
- adoption of australian ballot in late 1800s, placing all candidates on one ballot, allowing for secret voting and easy ticket splitting
- availability of campaign support from interest groups
When did the candidate-centred system firmly take root?
mid 20th c
prior to this was the golden age
the us is the only democracy in which parties are not given free tv or radio time
wild
how did changes in tech drive the focus on candidates?
changed most congressional campaigns from labour-intensive grassroots undertakings, at which local party committees excelled, to money-driver, political marketing efforts requiring the services of skilled experts
Why is incumbency a big deal?
- name recognition
- superior and existing campaign organisations and money
- can draw on history of voting in office and claim credit for improvements in their district
- franking privileges
- legislative aides who write speeches, respond to constituent emails
what happens in elections that immediately follow redistricting?
temporary increase in competition
Examples of national issues affecting congressional elections?
- Civil rights
- Vietnam
- Hurricane Katrina
- War in Iraq
How old for House and Senate?
House = 25
Senate 30
what are the factors in considering to run for congress?
Local (primary factor)
- characteristics of the particular state or district
- local issues and circumstances
- recent election results
- is the incumbent running
National (secondary factor)
- mood of the country
- economic and foreign policy trends
why do some incumbents not re-run?
- particulralry in 2018 and 2020 people didn’t agree with trump so quietly left without kicking up a fess, demonstrating how the leader at the top can redefine the party
name of the democratic org running progressives
Justice Democrats
What might weaken an incumbent’s reelection prospects?
- redistricting
- wave of anti-gov hostility/unpoopular president
- scandal
- weak economy
When do retirements often happen?
following upheaval within congress
What does the DCCC and NRCC do to help with incumbency?
- if an incumbent faces a difficult challenge they will support the incumbent
- hold seminars immediately after each election to instruct new legislators how to use franked mail, town meetings, and the local media to solidify their hold on the district
People who run for congress are normally rich….majority of members of congress reported a new worth in excess of $1 mil
lol
GOP has overrepresentation of ___
Dems have overrepresentation of ___ and ___
business professionals
lawyers and career politicans
which part of congress is historically less representative?
senate
