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Eight Reasons Why It’s Tough to Beat Incumbents

Eight Reasons Why It’s Tough to Beat Incumbents. Fitz-AP Gov. #1: Name Recognition. #2: Franking Privilege. Congressional incumbents get free mail Why? Stay in touch with constituents. #3: Casework. Members of Congress can assist their constituents with their respective problems at home.

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Eight Reasons Why It’s Tough to Beat Incumbents

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  1. Eight Reasons WhyIt’s Tough to Beat Incumbents Fitz-AP Gov

  2. #1: Name Recognition

  3. #2: Franking Privilege • Congressional incumbents get free mail • Why? • Stay in touch with constituents

  4. #3: Casework • Members of Congress can assist their constituents with their respective problems at home

  5. #4: Pork or Special Projects • Members of Congress can “mark-up” bills to add earmarks, special appropriations to benefit the sole members of their districts.

  6. 2003 Congress • $107,000 to study the sex life of the Japanese quail. • $1.2 million to study the breeding habits of the woodchuck. • $150,000 to study the Hatfield-McCoy feud. • $84,000 to find out why people fall in love. • $1 million to study why people don't ride bikes to work. • $19 million to examine gas emissions from cow flatulence. • $144,000 to see if pigeons follow human economic laws. • $219,000 to teach college students how to watch television. • $2 million to construct an ancient Hawaiian canoe. • $20 million for a demonstration project to build wooden bridges. • $160,000 to study if you can hex an opponent by drawing an X on his chest. • $800,000 for a restroom on Mt. McKinley. • Record low recorded at -75.5 Fahrenheit that same year

  7. $223,000,000! • Proposed “Bridge to Nowhere” • Would have connected the town of Ketchikan (pop. 8,900) to the city airport on Gravina Island (pop. 50). • 10-minute ferry ride

  8. Why the Absurdity? • Not all earmarks are “bad” • “Christmas Tree bills” • The tree is the bill, the ornaments the earmarks • No legislator is immune • Republican or Democrat

  9. http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=3677232n&tag=related;photovideohttp://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=3677232n&tag=related;photovideo

  10. Fact: Fact: West Virginia has a coast guard station • West Virginia is landlocked

  11. Pro/Con Special projects are bad Special projects are not so bad Great if it’s your district Levels the playing field in Congress Helps legislators keep their jobs Federal projects have to go SOMEWHERE • Local over national interest • “Everyone is doing it” mentality • Creates further skepticism about D.C. • Bills become unrecognizable

  12. #5. Position-taking • Incumbents have a record to run on • Portray themselves as hard-working individuals • Occasionally take partisan stands on issues

  13. #6. Weak Opponents • Underfunded • Unorganized • Inexperienced

  14. #7: Campaign Spending • Ask yourself: who would YOU give precious funds to? OR

  15. #8: Party Identification • The political party will back the candidate they see as having the best chance of winning…

  16. …most of the time.

  17. Invincible? • Defeating Incumbents • Scandal • Redistricting • Major political tidal wave • Open Seats

  18. Conclusion • Who wins? Incumbents, they already hold office

  19. Conclusion • Delegate: “Vote what we say!” • Trustee: “Use your best judgment!” • Politico: Combination of the two

  20. Conclusion • Easier to get re-elected in the House • Incumbent race for both houses= 90% • Americans don’t like Congress but DO like they’re Congressperson

  21. Term Limits Pro Con Throws the good out with the bad Takes years to become familiar with the “Washington Way” Would do away with the seniority system in Congress • Incumbents become career politicians • Disconnect with voters • Break ties with special interests • Would encourage challengers • Builds a citizen Congress

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