1. Why are campaigns often lacking in substance on the issues?
•The candidate must go to the people because it is not worth the people's time to
go to the candidate and get good information
•Candidates are busy trying to get recognized through name recognition, personal
appeal, ability to earn positive unpaid media, communication ability, ability to raise
money, and knowledge of issues and positions (but these are the least important,
which is why campaigns lack in substance)
2. Why do incumbents often win re-elections? When explaining why make sure you
state why your "whys" are important. Go to the root causes.
•95% of incumbents get re-elected
•Name recognition
•People know the incumbent better than the opponent
•Media
•Press covers the incumbent more
•Money
•Incumbent has enormous money advantage
•Political parties can donate money to a campaign
•Self
•Individuals can give as much money as they want
•Individuals
•People can give money
•Interest groups
