First, his job approval ratings have been trending down for many months, a trend that has accelerated in recent weeks as the war on terrorism has been supplanted in the public's mind by corporate scandals, stock market declines, and a growing sense of economic insecurity. Thomas E. Mann accelerateapprovalcorporate share on social
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 such an opportunity, but it was not seized. Thomas E. Mann actattachmentbreak share on social
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 additionamericancharacterize Change image and share on social
All of this suggests that while citizens became more comfortable with President Bush after September 11 and thought him to have the requisite leadership skills, they continue to harbor doubts about his priorities, loyalties, interests, and policies. Thomas E. Mann bushcitizencomfortable share on social
Redistricting is a deeply political process, with incumbents actively seeking to minimize the risk to themselves (via bipartisan gerrymanders) or to gain additional seats for their party (via partisan gerrymanders). Thomas E. Mann activelyadditionalbipartisan share on social
While Republican voters have remained universally supportive of their President, Democrats and Independents are returning to a more naturally critical stance. Thomas E. Mann criticaldemocratindependent Change image and share on social
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 11 and his response in leading the country on a campaign against terrorism. Thomas E. Mann attackbushcampaign share on social
Presidents are elected not by direct popular vote but by 538 members of the Electoral College. Thomas E. Mann collegedirectelect Change image and share on social
America is an outlier in the world of democracies when it comes to the structure and conduct of elections. Thomas E. Mann americaconductdemocracy Change image and share on social
With the parties at virtual parity and the ideological gulf between them never greater, the stakes of majority control of Congress are extremely high. Thomas E. Mann congresscontrolextremely Change image and share on social