role of incumbency in presidential elections USP

Question 1

what are the benefits for incumbency

Answer 1

• greater name recognition (OBAMA and ACA)
• media coverage (Bush benefited from 9/11 and Iraq War to be kept in media’s scope)
• greater fundraising ability (Biden significant individual donations during state of the Union address)
• campaigning
• track record (Obama eliminating osama bin laden and creating ACA)
• No Primary challenge (Obama could focus more on general election)

Question 2

what are the drawbacks for incumbency

Answer 2

• scrutiny of presidential record (Trump and COVID)
• blame incumbents for current affairs
• can have less momentum than challengers

Question 3

what were the reasons for trump’s loss

Answer 3

• focused on minority groups, especially black votes, to win key states (Georgia, biden won 88% of black votes)
• success in blue collar voters, rust belt and south west (Wisconsin won by 20,000 votes)
• COVID
• mail (58% of biden’s voters voted by mail, only 32% republican)

Question 4

what did many people say cost kamala harris the election

Answer 4

biden dropped out too late

Question 5

how did trump benefit from not being an incumbent

Answer 5

• biden was blamed for his lack of actions, inflation and COVID