Midterms Flashcards
what poll was conducted in 2014
the Gallup poll
what has become unimportant in elections
the candidate
that did the gallop poll find
52% of registered voters planned on not voting based on the strengths of the congressional candidates, but to send a message to Obama.
how have US elections generally been seen
as candidate and issue centred
where have democrats won in conservative states
(Joe Manchin for West Virginia, Mary Landrieu for Louisiana)
what happened to Landrieu
defeated in the 2014 senate elections, despite offering conservative policies
what happened to the 2014 midterms
the first since 1980 in which more than two incumbent Democratic senators were defeated by Republican rivals. In the Senate, 5 of the 17 incumbent Democrats lost their seats
how many people saw their vote as a message to Obama in 2010
30%
what was the context of the 2010 election
the unemployment rate was over 9% and the President’s approval rating had fallen below 50%.
what happened in the 2010 midterms
the democrats lost their majority in the house
what is the incumbency rate
Despite Congress having an approval rate of around 13%, over 96% of House incumbents were re-elected in 2014. In the House, only 11 Democrats and 2 Republicans were defeated.
what advantages do incumbents have
can send free letters to their constituents without incurring any costs. They have large amounts of staff. They have far greater name recognition and media attention. They have a voting record.
what happened in the 2008 elections
democrat Mark Begich defeated six-term Republican senator Ted Stevens in Alaska.
who benefitted in the 2008 elections
blue dog democrats
what was the context of the 2008 elections
GWB had record low approval ratings in 2008 due to the 2007 financial crisis and controversial wars
