Congressional Elections

Question 1

The nomination process

Answer 1

• The first task is to secure the nomination of one of the two major parties as third party candidates very rarely win seats in Congress.

Question 2

Why is the power of incumbency significant?

Answer 2

• One has high levels of name recognition in any election compared to a challenger
• As an incumbent, one has the ability to provide constituency services
• Most incumbents have a huge advantage in fundraising compared with challengers

Question 3

What is the coattails effect?

Answer 3

• The effect when an extremely popular candidate at the top of the electoral ticket (e.g for president or governor) carries candidates for lower offices with him/her into office

Question 4

Are television debates significant?

Answer 4

• The only television debate that had a significant effect on an election result was the Carter-Reagan 1980 election.
• A prime example of television debates not being significant is the 2012 election between Obama and Romney. Romney was the overwhelming winner of the debate, a Gallup poll found that 72% thought Romney won the debate compared to 20% that thought Obama won it. However, Romney only led in the polls for some days, and Obama ended up sweeping to a comfortable victory on election day