The increase in straight-ticket party voting in recent years means that competitive congressional races can tip one way or the other depending on the showing of the candidates at the top of the ticket. — Thomas E. Mann Copy Share Image
Incumbency adds a layer of advantage on top of this party dominance. But rather than foster an environment in which members of Congress feel… — Thomas E. Mann Copy Share Image
“Since the debt limit simply accommodates debt that has already been incurred, raising it should, in theory, be perfunctory. But politicians have found it… — Thomas E. Mann Copy Share Image
But presidential approval also became a surrogate measure of national unity and patriotism. — Thomas E. Mann Copy Share Image
A human being tends to believe that the mood of the moment, be it troubled or blithe, peaceful or stormy, is the true, native,… — Thomas E. Mann Copy Share Image
Votes in federal elections are cast and counted in a highly decentralized and variable fashion, with no uniform ballots and few national standards. — Thomas E. Mann Copy Share Image
“the limits amplified the corrosive effects of ambition on the legislators, who focused from day one on how best to use their limited time… — Thomas E. Mann Copy Share Image
Responsibility for overseeing the implementation of election law typically resides with partisan officials, many with public stakes in the election outcome. — Thomas E. Mann Copy Share Image
Party and ideology routinely trump institutional interests and responsibilities. Regular order - the set of rules, norms and traditions designed to ensure a fair… — Thomas E. Mann Copy Share Image
Science never makes an advance until philosophy authorizes it to do so. — Thomas E. Mann Copy Share Image
Further-more, partisan attachments powerfully shape political perceptions, beliefs and values, and incumbents enjoy advantages well beyond the way in which their districts are configured. — Thomas E. Mann Copy Share Image
The public's evaluation of the job George W. Bush is doing as president changed dramatically as a result of the horrific attacks of September… — Thomas E. Mann Copy Share Image
In addition to the decline in competition, American politics today is characterized by a growing ideological polarization between the two major political parties. — Thomas E. Mann Copy Share Image
