Incumbency adds a layer of advantage on top of this party dominance. But rather than foster an environment in which members of Congress feel free to buck popular sentiment and wrestle seriously with the problems confronting the country, it reinforces… — Thomas E. Mann Copy Share Image
The country has sorted itself ideologically into the two political parties, and those partisan attachments have hardened in recent years. It will take an extraordinary event and act of leadership to break this partisan divide. I thought 9/11 might provide… — 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
“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
But presidential approval also became a surrogate measure of national unity and patriotism. — Thomas E. Mann Copy Share
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
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
“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
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
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
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
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
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
The country has sorted itself ideologically into the two political parties, and those partisan attachments have hardened in recent years. It will take an… — Thomas E. Mann Copy Share
All of this suggests that while citizens became more comfortable with President Bush after September 11 and thought him to have the requisite leadership… — Thomas E. Mann Copy Share
A healthy degree of party unity among Democrats and Republicans has deteriorated into bitter partisan warfare. — Thomas E. Mann Copy Share
