Course Final: Congressional Performance

Question 1

Be able to list the two major explanations for low congressional approval ratings

Answer 1

1-The institutional design of congress is conflictual, low approval ratings due to lack of public understanding of law making process. (the system is meant to be this way because of framers design and public doesn’t understand that
2-MC’s words and Actions send messages to the american people that cause disapproval

Question 2

Be able to explain how MC’s decisions and rhetoric (and media coverage of the same) are likely to lower the public’s evaluation of Congress (see Brady & Theriault 2001).

Answer 2

• MC’s circumvent accountability and attempt to obscure the fact that they are doing so. Example: Sacrifice the integrity of the institution to vote themselves pay raises.
• MC Rhetoric promise quick fixes to complex problems
• MC’s run for congress by bashing Congress publicly
• Media focuses more on extreme MC’s views, distorting Americans views of congress as a whole.