Congressional Elections: Crash Course Government and Politics #6

CrashCourse

27 Feb 201508:57

Summary

TLDRThis Crash Course Government and Politics episode explores the importance of elections, particularly for Congress. While presidential elections get the most attention, Congress holds significant power, as outlined in the Constitution. The episode explains how Congressional elections work, including the role of incumbency, money, and gerrymandering. It also introduces the 'Electoral Connection,' the idea that members of Congress are primarily motivated by re-election, influencing their actions like credit claiming and position taking. The episode provides an engaging and insightful look into the mechanics and motivations behind U.S. elections.

Takeaways

📅 Americans are obsessed with elections, especially presidential ones, but Congressional elections are constitutionally more important.
📜 The Constitution establishes that the entire House of Representatives is elected every two years, while one-third of the Senate is elected every two years.
📊 States handle most election rules, like registration and polling, but there are federal laws governing certain aspects.
🏛️ Congress members are elected from single-member districts in the House, and senators are elected at large by the whole state.
💼 Candidates usually need a clean record and the ability to raise substantial money for their campaigns.
💰 Incumbents have a significant advantage in elections, partly because of name recognition, a track record, and easier fundraising.
📬 The franking privilege allows incumbents to send election materials with free postage, though its relevance has decreased in the internet age.
📈 Incumbency advantage is strong: over 90% of House incumbents and a majority of Senate incumbents are re-elected.
📚 David Mayhew’s 'Electoral Connection' theory posits that congressmen are primarily motivated by the desire to be re-elected.
📢 Congressional actions like advertising, credit claiming, and position taking can often be understood as part of their strategy to secure re-election.

Q & A

Why does the speaker say Americans are obsessed with elections?
-Americans are often obsessed with elections, as shown by the media's focus on the 2016 presidential election, even though it was still early 2015. Elections play a central role in how the public engages with politics.
Why does the speaker argue that the fixation on presidential elections is misplaced?
-The speaker believes the fixation on presidential elections is misplaced because, while the president is important, Congress is constitutionally the most important branch of government, as it is designed to be more responsive to the people.
How frequently are elections held for the House of Representatives and Senate?
-Elections for the House of Representatives are held every two years, while one-third of the Senate is up for election every two years, with each senator serving a six-year term.
What role do the states play in Congressional elections according to the Constitution?
-The Constitution leaves the scheduling and rules of elections largely up to the states, including registration requirements and poll timings, although there are some federal election laws.
What is the significance of incumbency in Congressional elections?
-Incumbents, or current officeholders, have a significant advantage in elections because they have a proven track record, access to fundraising, and often benefit from the franking privilege, which allows them to send out election materials for free.
What are 'single-member districts' and how do they relate to House elections?
-In House elections, each election district selects a single representative, which is why they are called single-member districts. The number of districts in each state is determined by the Census, which occurs every 10 years.
What is 'The Electoral Connection' as proposed by David Mayhew?
-David Mayhew's 'The Electoral Connection' suggests that Congress members are primarily motivated by the desire to get re-elected. This theory explains much of their behavior, including advertising, credit claiming, and position taking.
How does money influence elections, according to the video?
-Money plays a crucial role in elections. Candidates need to raise significant funds to run competitive campaigns, with House winners in 2012 spending around $2 million and Senate winners spending over $10 million.
What is the 'franking privilege' and how does it benefit incumbents?
-The franking privilege allows incumbents to send out election materials for free, up to a limit of $100,000. Although it may be less effective in the internet age, it still gives incumbents a communication advantage with voters.
Why does gerrymandering make elections ending in zeros important?
-Gerrymandering, or the manipulation of electoral district boundaries, often occurs after the Census, which is conducted every 10 years. Therefore, elections in years ending in zeros are important because they follow the redrawing of districts.

Outlines

00:00

🗳️ Introduction to Elections and Public Fascination

Craig opens by introducing himself and the topic of elections, emphasizing how Americans are obsessed with them. He humorously mentions hairstyles in politics, specifically referencing Martin Van Buren's sideburns. Despite the public's focus on presidential elections, Craig points out that it's the elections for Congress that matter the most constitutionally, as Congress is supposed to be the most responsive to the people due to frequent elections.

05:03

📜 The Constitutional Basis for Congressional Elections

Craig explains the constitutional foundation for congressional elections, particularly Article 1 Section 2, which mandates that House members be elected every two years, while a third of the Senate is elected in staggered terms. Although the Constitution outlines basic election rules, the states have significant control over the scheduling and regulations. He also notes that, while presidential elections are complicated by the electoral college, the Constitution doesn’t focus heavily on election details outside of Congress.

🏛️ Single-Member Districts and State-wide Elections

Craig describes how House elections are conducted in single-member districts, with the number of districts determined by the Census. Senate elections, by contrast, occur statewide, referred to as 'at large' elections. The importance of elections in years ending in zeros is linked to gerrymandering, which he promises to explain in future episodes. He also touches on the process of selecting candidates, which varies by state and often involves political parties.

💼 Characteristics of Good Candidates

Craig outlines key characteristics of successful political candidates: having a clean record without scandals and the ability to raise significant amounts of money. He highlights that candidates need substantial financial backing to run for office, especially given the rising cost of elections. Billionaires rarely run for office themselves, as they are typically busy with other ventures, but the ability to secure campaign funds is crucial for most candidates.

👔 Incumbency Advantage and Why It Matters

Craig introduces the concept of 'incumbency advantage,' noting that current officeholders have significant benefits when running for re-election. These advantages include a track record, the ability to provide services to constituents, and access to campaign funding. He mentions the franking privilege, allowing Congress members to send free mail, though its impact has waned in the digital age. Incumbency leads to high re-election rates, particularly in the House, where almost 90% of members have retained their seats over the past 60 years.

🐖 Pork Barrel Spending and Congressional Strategy

Craig discusses the role of earmarks (or pork barrel programs), where Congress members secure funds for their districts to boost their popularity. Although pork barrel spending has become less common, incumbents still benefit from having a record of bringing resources back home. The ability to do so helps them raise money and gain political power, which in turn increases their chances of re-election.

📬 The Franking Privilege and its Declining Relevance

The franking privilege, allowing members of Congress to send election materials postage-free, is another benefit for incumbents. Although this was once a significant advantage, its relevance has diminished in the internet age. Craig references research from 'The Victory Lab' that shows direct mail still holds some influence, but its overall effectiveness in elections is now debatable.

🔢 Statistical Reality of Incumbency

Craig presents data supporting the incumbency advantage, with over 90% of House members being re-elected over the past six decades. The Senate has been slightly more volatile, but even at its most unpredictable, more than 50% of senators have retained their seats. This statistical evidence solidifies the significance of incumbency in modern elections.

📚 The Electoral Connection Theory by David Mayhew

Craig introduces David Mayhew’s 'Electoral Connection' theory, which asserts that Congress members are primarily motivated by re-election. He describes how this theory serves as a framework to understand their behavior, categorizing activities like advertising, credit claiming, and position taking. These actions help politicians build their personal brand and appeal to voters, contributing to their chances of re-election.

📊 Three Key Behaviors of Congressmen

Craig explains Mayhew’s three categories of Congressional activities: advertising (building personal brand recognition), credit claiming (taking responsibility for beneficial actions), and position taking (making public statements on popular issues). He uses the example of Senator Al D’Amato, known for pork barrel spending that improved his reputation as a problem-solver. These behaviors tie into the broader goal of increasing a politician’s chances of re-election.

🧐 The Analytical Lens of The Electoral Connection

Craig concludes by noting that while Mayhew’s theory of The Electoral Connection doesn’t explain all Congressional actions, it offers an insightful lens to analyze much of what members of Congress do. He encourages viewers to question the motives behind political actions, such as calling hearings or making public statements, and consider how these behaviors may be connected to the goal of re-election.

🎥 Wrap-up and Acknowledgments

Craig ends the episode with a lighthearted comment about running for office himself, noting that he’s on YouTube rather than TV. He gives credit to the production team behind Crash Course and mentions Voqal, an organization supporting nonprofits that use technology and media to promote social equity. Craig signs off by thanking viewers and the production crew.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Congressional Elections

Congressional elections refer to the process by which members of the U.S. Congress, both in the House of Representatives and the Senate, are elected. In the video, elections for Congress are highlighted as being constitutionally mandated and crucial to how Congress is supposed to function as the most responsive branch to the people. Congressional elections are held every two years for the House and every six years for the Senate, with one-third of Senate seats up for election each cycle.

💡Incumbency Advantage

Incumbency advantage refers to the significant edge that current officeholders have over challengers in elections. This advantage is due to several factors such as name recognition, a record of accomplishments, and easier access to campaign finance. In the video, it is explained that incumbents, or those already holding office, are re-elected at very high rates, especially in the House of Representatives.

💡Electoral Connection

The Electoral Connection is a concept introduced by political scientist David Mayhew, which suggests that members of Congress are primarily motivated by the goal of re-election. This idea explains much of their behavior, including advertising, credit claiming, and position taking. The video uses this concept to explain why Congress members might focus more on their public image or taking popular positions than on passing legislation.

💡Single-Member Districts

Single-member districts are electoral districts that elect one representative to a legislative body. In the video, it's explained that members of the House of Representatives are chosen from single-member districts, meaning each district selects one representative based on the population determined by the Census. This system is contrasted with at-large elections in some states for the Senate.

💡Gerrymandering

Gerrymandering refers to the manipulation of electoral district boundaries to favor a specific political party or group. In the video, it is hinted at as a key reason why elections in years ending in zeros, right after the Census, are significant. The redrawing of district lines can heavily influence the outcomes of elections in single-member districts.

💡Franking Privilege

The franking privilege allows sitting members of Congress to send mail to their constituents without paying for postage, a tool often used for campaigning purposes. The video mentions that each elected congressperson is given $100,000 and free postage to communicate with voters, an advantage that contributes to incumbency advantage, even if it's less impactful in the digital age.

💡Pork Barrel Spending

Pork barrel spending refers to government funds allocated to local projects within a legislator's district to win favor with constituents. In the video, this is mentioned as a form of credit claiming, where Congress members provide direct benefits to their district, often through job creation or public works, enhancing their chances of re-election. Though less common now, it was once a major tool for incumbents.

💡Credit Claiming

Credit claiming is a political strategy where elected officials take responsibility for specific benefits or services delivered to their constituents. In the video, this is identified as one of the key activities members of Congress engage in to improve their chances of re-election. Examples include casework, where staff members assist with government services, or directing funds to local projects.

💡Political Advertising

Political advertising refers to the efforts of candidates to promote themselves and build their public image to voters. In the video, advertising is highlighted as one of the key behaviors outlined in the Electoral Connection. It involves candidates crafting their brand and becoming recognizable to voters, which is crucial in getting re-elected, as seen with examples like 'Senator Pothole.'

💡At-Large Elections

At-large elections are those in which candidates are elected by voters from an entire geographic area, rather than a specific district. The video explains that Senators are elected at large, meaning they represent their entire state as opposed to House members, who represent specific districts. This concept is particularly relevant in sparsely populated states like Wyoming, which has only one House representative.

Highlights

Elections are the most important part of politics according to the general public, but the speaker humorously points out that hair styles, like Martin Van Buren's sideburns, could also play a part.

Americans are obsessed with elections, and by early 2015, media were already speculating on candidates for the 2016 presidential election.

The fixation on presidential elections is misplaced, as the elections of Congress, the most constitutionally important branch of government, are often overlooked.

Congress is supposed to be the most responsive branch to the people, with elections for the House every two years and for one-third of the Senate.

Election rules and schedules are mostly determined by individual states, although federal election law imposes some guidelines.

To serve in Congress, candidates must win elections in single-member districts, where the Census plays a critical role in determining district boundaries.

Gerrymandering plays a key role in shaping district boundaries and will be discussed further in a future episode.

Senators are elected in statewide elections, known as at-large elections, especially in sparsely populated states like Wyoming.

Candidates with an unblemished record and the ability to raise significant campaign funds, often millions of dollars, are more likely to succeed in elections.

Incumbents enjoy a significant advantage in congressional elections due to name recognition, fundraising abilities, and the ability to campaign on past accomplishments.

The franking privilege allows incumbents to send out election materials with taxpayer money, adding to their incumbency advantage.

Incumbency advantage is real, with over 90% of House members getting re-elected over the past 60 years.

David Mayhew’s 'Electoral Connection' theory posits that Congress members are primarily motivated by the desire to get re-elected, which explains much of their behavior.

Congressional activities like advertising, credit claiming, and position taking are often strategies to build a personal brand and appeal to voters.

Credit claiming and position taking are tools used by Congress members to associate themselves with popular issues without necessarily passing legislation.