PL SC 130 Lecture 10: Congressional Campaigns ch 10
Document Summary
Usually the president"s party loses in midterm elections. Obama had only a 42% job approval rating. Many of the competitive seats were in what are considered republican states . Many long time incumbent democrats had retired as well making their seats competitive. So many times elections and the results are beyond the control of the candidates that run for congress. But incumbents have a huge advantage in spite of everything. (many times they run unopposed) A low bar is set to run for congress. They will not run unless their prospects to win are good. These are the folks who win most of the time. (see chart page 278) Scandal may hit an incumbent or redistricting may alter their chances. If things look tough for an incumbent, the incumbent may retire. Usually these challengers must get support from their party. Descriptively members of congress are not like their constituents.
