Electoral systems- Key factors that affect the outcome of American elections

Question 1

What are the 6 factors affecting outcome of election?

Answer 1

Incumbency
Issues
Media
Leadership quality’s
Voter profile
Money

Question 2

Incumbency?

Answer 2

-2018 midterm house and senate who sought re-elections were 90.5% victorious
-In most incumbency’s they get reelection, in 2020 got bigger margins then presudential in Maine trump lost state wide poll to Bidebm but incumbent representor susan collins was re elected with ease
Adv- more recognition, boast past advantages, can gain campaign organisation

Question 3

Issues?

Answer 3

B Clinton in 1992 campaign strategic James Carvill placed sign over desk in little rock headquarters that said the economy is stupid to remind what is focused in. Clinton won in part by attacks incumbent president, economic
-Economy most important issue
-War G Bush 9/11 shot opinion polls to 90% but back down to 38% due to hurricane Katrina
-October surprise trump

Question 4

Leadership qualities?

Answer 4

-Tip O’Neal ‘all politics focus personal’
-Focus on personality at the expense of party
-Hope and change e.g. Obama and MAGA Trump
-Social media, cult of personality, trump 42 million where as GOP part got 2.4 mill
-Those who promote family life most likely to get caught in cheating scandal

Question 5

Media?

Answer 5

Politicised ads- own publicity material starts as debate projects of desired image, e.g. Obama remember ad
-Televised debate, Nixon refused to wear makeup, Biden when Trump had 73 mill
-Social media, tend to like and retweet views they already share, Mainstream media
Partisan in media 2016 Republican H Clinton

Question 6

Voter profile?

Answer 6

Voting behaviour on USA is important to remember voter background
-Degrees, gender, race, religion, education, geography and age
-Conservative and liberal
-Church gowers, republican and graduates democrats

Question 7

Money?