POLS 206 Lecture 14Outline of Previous Lectureo9.2Organizing a Campaigno9.3Money and Campaigningo9.4Impact of Campaignso9.5Deciding Whether to VoteWho Votes?Outline of Current Lecture-Ch. 11: Congresso11.1Memberso11.2Who wins elections?Advantages of IncumbencyLecture-Ch. 11: Congress - the center of policy making o11.1-MembersNot a glamorous job, but there are perks -Power -174,000 annual salary-Generous retirement and health benefits Constitutional requirements -House: 25, citizen for 7 years -Senate: 30, citizen for 9 years -Reside in state -435 representatives; 100 senators Demographics-Descriptive vs. substantive representation -Descriptive -How much do they look like their constituents -Do they? No-Substantive -Representation of the interest of groups -Do they? Yeso11.2-Who wins elections?Incumbents-Over 90% win reelection -Senators do not have it as easy (80-85%)Incumbents perceive themselves as vulnerable-Hence fundraising and campaigning -Advantages of Incumbency Advertising-Constituent contact Credit claiming -Casework-Pork barrel projects Position taking Weak opponents Campaign spending -PACs give primarily to incumbents -Usually outspend competitor 3 or 4 to 1 -Role of Party Identification Parties and districts -Drawn for one-party dominance -Defeating Incumbents Challengers are naïve -But sometimes incumbents are vulnerable Redistricting Public mood -Open Seats and Stability and ChangeVacant Seat = no incumbent running -Most turnover occurs here Stability from incumbency -Development of expertise Term
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