Evaluate The View That Incumbency Is A Major Advantage For A President Seeking Re-election.(30)

Question 1

What is incumbency - give example

Answer 1

Incumbency in U.S. Presidential elections often leads to a significant electoral advantage. The
majority of sitting presidents who have sought re-election in the past 50 years have been
successful.
3 of the last 4 Presidents who have sought reelection have been successful, with Donald
Trump being the exception.

Question 2

Para 1 - The Importance Of Name Recognition and
Campaign Finance
For: Incumbents Can Raise More and Have Name Recognition

Answer 2

• enhanced ability to raise funds for their
  campaigns. The prestige of the presidency, combined with established connections to wealthy
  donors and influential political action committees (PACs), often results in a substantial financial
  advantage.
• (Example): During his 2012 re-election campaign, President Barack Obama was able to
  leverage his incumbency to amass a formidable war chest. He raised over $700 million,
  significantly out-fundraising his challenger, Mitt Romney.
  This financial power allowed Obama to have a far-reaching campaign, with extensive
  advertising and ground operations, which played a crucial role in securing his re-
  election.

Question 3

Para 1 - The Importance Of Name Recognition and
Campaign Finance
- Against: Incumbents Are Blamed For Events And Voters Often Desire Change

Answer 3

• Incumbents often bear the brunt of blame for contemporary issues, whether or not they are
  directly responsible for them. This association with national problems can be a significant
  hurdle in re-election campaigns.
  –(Example): President Donald Trump in the 2020 election. His administration’s
  handling of the COVID-19 pandemic became a central issue. Despite various factors
  contributing to the pandemic’s impact, as the incumbent, Trump faced intense criticism
  over the federal response, which played a substantial role in shaping public opinion.

Question 4

Paragraph Two ➡️ The Role Of Primaries And Election Experience
- For: Incumbents Benefit From A Lack Of Primary Challenge and Have An
Established Campaign Machine

Answer 4

• Not having to contend with a primary opponent allows
  the incumbent to conserve resources and to maintain a perception of party unity with the
  public.
  – (Example): President Barack Obama did not face a primary challenge in 2012, which
  allowed his campaign to focus entirely on the general election from an early stage. This
  strategic advantage enabled Obama’s campaign team to concentrate on building a robust general election strategy, targeting key swing states, and refining their message to appeal
  to the broader electorate.

Question 5

Paragraph Two ➡️ The Role Of Primaries And Election Experience
- Against: Challengers Can Have Significant Momentum

Answer 5

By contrast, incumbents who secure their party’s nomination without significant opposition may
lack the same opportunities to mobilise their supporters early in the election cycle.
–(Example): Biden won the Presidency in the 2020 election in large part because of his
ability to turn out his base and convince them that unseating Trump was very important,
including key segments such as Black voters, suburban voters, and young voters. This
momentum began in the the primary campaign where this was key to his messaging,
convincing Democrat supporters that he was best placed to defeat Trump.
– Biden most votes of any Presidential Candidate in history with over 81 million votes

Question 6

Paragraph Three ➡️ Incumbents’ Achievements and Use Of Office
- For: Incumbents Can Point To Achievements And Use Their Office To Their
Advantage

Answer 6

Being in
office allows them to showcase concrete achievements and policy successes that can be
presented as evidence of effective leadership.
– (For example)), during his 2012 re-election campaign, President Barack Obama highlighted his
administration’s achievements, such as the passage of the Affordable Care Act, the
recovery from the Great Recession, and the operation that led to the elimination of Osama
bin Laden.
- These accomplishments were pivotal in framing his presidency as one of decisive action
and positive change, strengthening his appeal to voters and providing a stark contrast to
the promises of challengers who had yet to prove themselves in a presidential capacity.

Question 7

Paragraph Three ➡️ Incumbents’ Achievements and Use Of Office
- Against: Incumbents Are Scrutinised For Their Record In Office

Answer 7

• A major drawback of incumbency in U.S. Presidential elections is the intense public scrutiny of
  the incumbent’s record. Every decision, policy, and outcome from their tenure is closely
  examined and often criticised by opponents, media, and the public.
  –(Example): President George H.W. Bush faced significant criticism during his 1992 re-election campaign for
  reneging on his famous “no new taxes” pledge. Despite this decision being a response to the
  economic circumstances at the time,
• High criticism - leading to defeat to Bill Clinton