2.4 "Looking ahead to 2018"

1. How many total Republicans in Congress have already announced that they will not run for reelection in 2018?
1. 12
2. How many total Democrats in Congress have already announced that they will not run for reelection in 2018?
2. 3 
3. What is so unique about the discrepancy between these two groups?
3. It reveals the very real possibility of a "democratic wave", where democrat incumbents win traditionally Republican seats.
4. What factors do the authors of the article suggest are behind these decisions not to run for reelection?
4.  The vast majority are retiring as to not have their reputation - and that of their party - sullied by an increasingly right wing Republican party.
5.  Why might the elections for those in "safe red districts" be more difficult than in recent elections?
5. The republican party is decreasing in over all support, and thus it would be easier for a democratic party member to assume the position of a traditionally republican district.
6. Why does the large number of incumbents retiring make it easier for Democrats to gain seats in the House than they otherwise would?
6. It gives more room that usual for a swelling of democratic ranks, which means it would be easier for a democratic majority. 
7. Why might this same thing help Democrats recruit better candidates?
7. Democrats who have traditionally not run in a district because they were sure they would lose, might win. Thus they would logically run to take advantage of the sudden opening.
8. About how much does FairVote say that incumbents are helped just by being incumbents in a normal election year?
8.  Recently it has been around 2% or less. 

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Blog Post 1.3 - DACA

1. Why is President Trump  taking action over Labor Day Weekend? Trump is pursuing an end to DACA so soon because the Senate was set to determine its constitutionality on September 5th.  2. Who was the DREAM Act intended to benefit? The DREAM act was intended to benefit the children of illegal immigrants, as it would be an atrocity to deport innocent children who grew up in the US, as American children.  3. What did DACA do to help these same people? The DACA gave those people protection from deportation, as long as they renewed it every 2 years and maintained being productive citizens.  4. What requirements do people have to meet in order to be eligible for DACA? Employment if not in school, or a GED or constant attendance. 5. How was the original DREAM Act a compromise on the immigration issue? It merely postponed the debate while allowing the children to grow up and make themselves a necessary part of the US economy. 6. Why...
Read more

Blog Post 1.4 Why people don't vote

1. What percentage of Americans voted in the 2012 election?  What percentage of registered voters voted in the 2012 election?' 1. 58% 2. How do state requirements to register ahead of time prevent people from voting? 2. People are only interested in the election during the last two weeks, and since many states have voting registration end months before, it is impossible for most to vote 3. What reason do most people give for not participating in the election? 3. They believe that their votes will not matter 4. How do families and upbringing impact voter turnout in the future? 4. More affluent families are expected to vote 5. Why does having so many elections in the US cause turnout to decrease? 5. People start to care less and less, because they believe the local positions are for more involved people 6.  How do political parties impact which people show up and vote? 6. Democrats are less likely to vote in republican areas, and vice versa 7. What is Oregon e...
Read more