ULTIMATE FLASH SUPPLEMENT

a theory proposing that the surge of stimulation occurring during presidential elections subsides during midterm elections, accounting for the differences we observe in turnouts and results

the difference between a poll result and an election results in which voters gave a socially desirable poll response rather than a true response that might be perceived as racist

a system in which the winner of an election is the candidate who wins the greatest number of votes cast, also known as plurality voting. Voters are rational and do not want to waste votes

a legal principle that holds state power and actions above those of local governments and declares state governments to be sovereign relative to local governments

to protect common and private goods

cool

power to persuade, bargaining rather than arguing, professional reputation, public prestige

cool

re-election

Re-election, advancement within their chamber, career beyond their chamber, good public policy

advertising, credit claiming, position-taking

To solve the collective action problem: Facilitate position-taking-Party brand, voters pay little attention so easier to track party than an individual Other Goals- Re-election $$$, advancement beyond their chamber

Bill is only considered if a majority of the majority party supports it

The Senate parliamentarian decides which partsof the bill are germane to the budget

motion to proceed past a filibuster using 60 votes

More reliance on “Omnibus” legislation: that combinesmultiple spending bills▶Leadership control over major legislation▶Showdowns over must-pass legislation (debt ceiling,government shutdowns, fiscal cliff)▶The spectre of the Senate’s filibuster

punished at the polls but they don’t just respond to broad constituencies:Activists and interest groups have extreme preferences▶Primary voters vs. general election voters▶Gerrymandering

budget and oversight

organization structure that favors specialization, hierarchy. Hierarchical, specialized, and apolitical

block grants

agencies are naturally competitive and power hungry

agencies have no competition, stifles innovation

rational policy, organizational politics, bureaucratic politics,

nternational politics is like a chess match. Kennedy vs.Khruschev