The Advantages of Incumbency
Advertising
Most Congressional advertising takes place between elections in the form of contact with constituents. Members of Congress work hard to make themselves visible in their constituencies, and they usually succeed. More recently, members of Congress have employed technology to bring franking into the digital age. Using taxpayers' money, legislators employ a new technology that allows them to call thousands of households simultaneously with a recorded message, inviting people in their districts to join in on a conference call.
Credit Claiming
Credit claiming involves enhancing standing with constituents through service to individuals and the district. There are two major ways in which Congress can service the constituency. Casework is helping constituents as individuals- cutting through bureaucratic red tape to give people what they think they have a right to get. Pork barrel is composed of federal projects grants, and contracts available to state and local governments, businesses, colleges, and other institutions.
Position Taking
Elected officials must take positions on policies when they vote. The positions they take may affect the outcome of an election.
Weak Opponents
Weak opponents are especially prevalent in House elections. This occurs in part because the other advantages of incumbency scare off potentially effective opponents, those individuals who do run are usually not well known or well qualified and lack experience and organizational and financial backing.
Campaign Spending
Challengers have to raise large sums of money if they hope to defeat an incumbent, and the more they spend, the more votes they receive. Money buys them name recognition and a chance to be heard. Incumbents, by contrast, already have high levels of recognition.
Most Congressional advertising takes place between elections in the form of contact with constituents. Members of Congress work hard to make themselves visible in their constituencies, and they usually succeed. More recently, members of Congress have employed technology to bring franking into the digital age. Using taxpayers' money, legislators employ a new technology that allows them to call thousands of households simultaneously with a recorded message, inviting people in their districts to join in on a conference call.
Credit Claiming
Credit claiming involves enhancing standing with constituents through service to individuals and the district. There are two major ways in which Congress can service the constituency. Casework is helping constituents as individuals- cutting through bureaucratic red tape to give people what they think they have a right to get. Pork barrel is composed of federal projects grants, and contracts available to state and local governments, businesses, colleges, and other institutions.
Position Taking
Elected officials must take positions on policies when they vote. The positions they take may affect the outcome of an election.
Weak Opponents
Weak opponents are especially prevalent in House elections. This occurs in part because the other advantages of incumbency scare off potentially effective opponents, those individuals who do run are usually not well known or well qualified and lack experience and organizational and financial backing.
Campaign Spending
Challengers have to raise large sums of money if they hope to defeat an incumbent, and the more they spend, the more votes they receive. Money buys them name recognition and a chance to be heard. Incumbents, by contrast, already have high levels of recognition.