Notes for Class, March 3 2008

The influence of Public Opinion on Congress
“3 Casual mechanisms”
1. An environmental constraint “ala systems theory”
- The role of “Events” and saliency
-Boarder cultural constraints

2. Re-election consideration
- Rational desire to stay in office
but many votes are “safe”
and what about the “Lame ducks?”
Lame ducks _ Someone in office who can’t be re-elected.

3. Turnover
- Electoral lost
-Strategic retirements
-Effects on seniority
-Staff turnover

There weren’t that many notes that he gave in class today! He was kind of upset at the fact that the class average is a C+. He says if you need help, go to his room, and he will be more than willing to help check your notes and everything! Next test, I’ll have more things prepared, at this time I didn’t have enough time to get all the notes here for all of the tests! But for next time it will be more prepared!