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===Advantage of incumbency=== ====Citizens and representatives==== [[File:Ĝerimandrado.svg|thumb|alt=two boxes with red dots and blue dots.|In this example, the more even distribution is on the left and the gerrymandering is presented on the right.]] Senators face reelection every six years, and representatives every two. Reelections encourage candidates to focus their publicity efforts at their home states or districts.<ref name=tws2010Sep11t14dd1/> Running for reelection can be a grueling process of distant travel and fund-raising which distracts senators and representatives from paying attention to governing, according to some critics.<ref>{{cite news| author = Larry J. Sabato| title = An amendment is needed to fix the primary mess| newspaper = USA Today| date = September 26, 2007| url = https://www.usatoday.com/printedition/news/20070926/opcomwednesday.art.htm| access-date = September 20, 2009| archive-date = January 14, 2021| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210114214410/https://usatoday30.usatoday.com/printedition/news/20070926/opcomwednesday.art.htm| url-status = live}}</ref> Although others respond that the process is necessary to keep members of Congress in touch with voters. [[incumbency|Incumbent]] members of Congress running for reelection have strong advantages over challengers.<ref name=tws2010Sep11jggha/> They raise more money<ref name="tws02oct205"/> because donors fund incumbents over challengers, perceiving the former as more likely to win,<ref name="tws02oct223"/><ref name="tws02oct216"/> and donations are vital for winning elections.<ref>{{cite news| author = Brian Kalish| title = GOP exits to cost party millions| newspaper = USA TODAY| date = May 19, 2008| url = https://www.usatoday.com/news/politics/election2008/2008-05-18-PAC_N.htm| access-date = October 1, 2009| archive-date = January 14, 2021| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210114214647/https://usatoday30.usatoday.com/news/politics/election2008/2008-05-18-PAC_N.htm| url-status = live}}</ref> One critic compared election to Congress to receiving [[life tenure]] at a university.<ref name="tws02oct216"/> Another advantage for representatives is the practice of [[gerrymandering]].<ref name=tws2010Sep11ii/><ref>{{cite journal | last = Macedo | first = Stephen | title = Toward a more democratic Congress? Our imperfect democratic constitution: the critics examined | journal = Boston University Law Review | volume = 89 | pages = 609–628 | date = August 11, 2008 | url = https://docs.google.com/gview?a=v&q=cache%3AQ33mcnJC4pkJ%3Awww.bu.edu%2Flaw%2Fcentral%2Fjd%2Forganizations%2Fjournals%2Fbulr%2Fvolume89n2%2Fdocuments%2FMACEDO.pdf+%22our+undemocratic+constitution%22+critic%3F+review%3F&hl=en&gl=us&pli=1 | access-date = September 20, 2009 | archive-date = May 1, 2011 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110501080149/http://docs.google.com/gview?a=v&q=cache%3AQ33mcnJC4pkJ%3Awww.bu.edu%2Flaw%2Fcentral%2Fjd%2Forganizations%2Fjournals%2Fbulr%2Fvolume89n2%2Fdocuments%2FMACEDO.pdf+%22our+undemocratic+constitution%22+critic%3F+review%3F&hl=en&gl=us&pli=1 | url-status = live }}</ref> After each ten-year census, states are allocated representatives based on population, and officials in power can choose how to draw the congressional district boundaries to support candidates from their party. As a result, reelection rates of members of Congress hover around 90 percent,<ref name=incumbent/> causing some critics to call them a privileged class.<ref name=tws2010Sep11t14cc/> Academics such as Princeton's [[Stephen Macedo]] have proposed solutions to fix [[Gerrymandering in the United States|gerrymandering in the U.S.]] Senators and representatives enjoy free mailing privileges, called [[franking privilege]]s; while these are not intended for electioneering, this rule is often skirted by borderline election-related mailings during campaigns. {{clear}} ====Expensive campaigns==== In 1971, the cost of running for Congress in [[Utah]] was $70,000<ref name="tws01oct40">{{cite news |date=May 17, 1971 |title=Time Essay: Campaign Costs: Floor, Not Ceiling |url=http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,944351,00.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081221201441/http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,944351,00.html |archive-date=December 21, 2008 |access-date=October 1, 2009 |newspaper=Time}}</ref> but costs have climbed.<ref name=tws01oct38>{{cite news| author = Barbara Borst, Associated Press| title = Campaign spending up in U.S. congressional elections| newspaper = USA Today| date = October 29, 2006| url = https://www.usatoday.com/news/washington/2006-10-29-campaign-spending_x.htm| access-date = October 1, 2009| archive-date = January 14, 2021| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210114214533/https://usatoday30.usatoday.com/news/washington/2006-10-29-campaign-spending_x.htm| url-status = live}}</ref> The biggest expense is television advertisements.<ref name=tws01oct22/><ref name=tws02oct216>{{cite news| author = Joseph A. Califano Jr.| title = PAC's Remain a Pox| newspaper = The New York Times| date = May 27, 1988| url = https://www.nytimes.com/1988/05/27/opinion/pac-s-remain-a-pox.html| access-date = October 2, 2009| archive-date = January 14, 2021| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210114214433/https://www.nytimes.com/1988/05/27/opinion/pac-s-remain-a-pox.html| url-status = live}}</ref><ref name="tws01oct40"/><ref name=tws01oct33>{{cite news| author = Dan Froomkin| title = Campaign Finance – Introduction| newspaper = The Washington Post| date = September 15, 1997| url = https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/national/longterm/campfin/intro.htm| access-date = October 1, 2009| archive-date = January 14, 2021| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210114214427/https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/national/longterm/campfin/intro.htm| url-status = live}}</ref><ref name="tws01oct32">{{cite news |last=Thomas |first=Evan |date=April 4, 2008 |title=At What Cost? – Sen. John Warner and Congress's money culture. |url=http://www.newsweek.com/id/130441 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210114214440/https://www.newsweek.com/congresss-money-culture-85717 |archive-date=January 14, 2021 |access-date=October 1, 2009 |newspaper=Newsweek}}</ref> Today's races cost more than a million dollars for a House seat, and six million or more for a Senate seat.<ref name=tws2010Sep11t14cc/><ref name="tws01oct22"/><ref name="tws01oct33"/><ref>{{cite news | title = References about diffname}} *{{cite news| author = Jean Merl| title = Gloves Come Off in Attack Ads by Harman, Kuykendall| newspaper = Los Angeles Times| date = October 18, 2000| url = https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2000-oct-18-me-38161-story.html| access-date = September 30, 2009| archive-date = January 14, 2021| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210114214445/https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2000-oct-18-me-38161-story.html| url-status = live}} *{{cite news | author = Shanto Iyengar | title = Election 2008: The Advertising | newspaper = The Washington Post | date = August 12, 2008 | url = https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/discussion/2008/08/10/DI2008081001615.html | access-date = September 30, 2009 | archive-date = January 14, 2021 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210114214508/https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/discussion/2008/08/10/DI2008081001615.html | url-status = live }} *{{cite news| author = Dave Lesher| title = Column One – TV Blitz Fueled by a Fortune – Once obscure, Huffington now is pressing Feinstein. His well-financed rapid-response team has mounted an unprecedented ad attack.| newspaper = Los Angeles Times| date = September 12, 1994| url = https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1994-09-12-mn-37700-story.html| access-date = September 30, 2009| archive-date = January 14, 2021| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210114214535/https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1994-09-12-mn-37700-story.html| url-status = live}} *{{cite news| author = Howard Kurtz| title = Democrats Chase Votes With a Safety Net| newspaper = The Washington Post| date = October 28, 1998| url = https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/politics/campaigns/keyraces98/stories/ads102898.htm| access-date = September 30, 2009| archive-date = January 14, 2021| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210114214434/https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/politics/campaigns/keyraces98/stories/ads102898.htm| url-status = live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news| author = James Oliphant| title = '08 Campaign costs nearing $2 Billion. Is it worth it?| newspaper = Los Angeles Times| date = April 9, 2008| url = http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/washington/2008/04/campaignexpense.html| access-date = October 1, 2009| archive-date = January 14, 2021| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210114214446/https://latimesblogs.latimes.com/washington/2008/04/campaignexpense.html| url-status = live}}</ref> Since fundraising is vital, "members of Congress are forced to spend ever-increasing hours raising money for their re-election."{{attribution needed|date=January 2019}}<ref>{{cite news |title=Campaign Finance Groups Praise Rep. Welch for Cosponsoring Fair Elections Now Act |work=Reuters |date=May 19, 2009 |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/pressRelease/idUS184834+19-May-2009+PRN20090519 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100122065024/https://www.reuters.com/article/idUS184834%2B19-May-2009%2BPRN20090519 |archive-date=January 22, 2010 |access-date=October 1, 2009 |url-status = dead }}</ref> The Supreme Court has treated campaign contributions as a [[free speech]] issue.<ref name="tws01oct38"/> Some see money as a good influence in politics since it "enables candidates to communicate with voters".<ref name="tws01oct38"/> Few members retire from Congress without complaining about how much it costs to campaign for reelection.<ref name=tws2010Sep11t14cc/> Critics contend that members of Congress are more likely to attend to the needs of heavy campaign contributors than to ordinary citizens.<ref name=tws2010Sep11t14cc/> Elections are influenced by many variables. Some political scientists speculate there is a ''[[coattail effect]]'' (when a popular president or party position has the effect of reelecting incumbents who win by "riding on the president's coattails"), although there is some evidence that the coattail effect is irregular and possibly declining since the 1950s.<ref name=tws2010Sep11jggha/> Some districts are so heavily Democratic or Republican that they are called a [[safe seat]]; any candidate winning the primary will almost always be elected, and these candidates do not need to spend money on advertising.<ref>{{cite news| author = John Balzar| title = Democrats Battle Over a Safe Seat in Congress| newspaper = Los Angeles Times| date = May 24, 2006| url = https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2006-may-24-me-harman24-story.html| access-date = September 30, 2009| archive-date = January 14, 2021| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210114214422/https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2006-may-24-me-harman24-story.html| url-status = live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news| title = The Congress: An Idea on the March| newspaper = Time| date = January 11, 1963| url = http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,873000-5,00.html| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110501130131/http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,873000-5,00.html| url-status = dead| archive-date = May 1, 2011| access-date =September 30, 2009}}</ref> But some races can be competitive when there is no incumbent. If a seat becomes vacant in an open district, then both parties may spend heavily on advertising in these races; in California in 1992, only four of twenty races for House seats were considered highly competitive.<ref>{{cite news| author = <!--staff writer-->| title = Decision '92 – Special Voters' Guide to State and Local Elections – The Congressional Races| newspaper = Los Angeles Times| date = October 25, 1992| url = https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1992-10-25-ss-1279-story.html| access-date = September 30, 2009| archive-date = January 14, 2021| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210114214423/https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1992-10-25-ss-1279-story.html| url-status = live}}</ref> ====Television and negative advertising==== Since members of Congress must advertise heavily on television, this usually involves [[negative advertising]], which smears an opponent's character without focusing on the issues.<ref>{{cite news | title = References about prevalence of attack ads}} *{{cite news| author1 = Brooks Jackson| author2 = Justin Bank| name-list-style = amp| title = Radio, Radio – New Democratic ads attacking House Republicans in the lead-up to the 2010 midterm elections don't tell the whole story.| newspaper = Newsweek| date = February 5, 2009| url = http://www.newsweek.com/id/183328| access-date = September 30, 2009| archive-date = January 14, 2021| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210114214449/https://www.newsweek.com/factcheckorg-dems-mislead-new-radio-attack-ads-82409| url-status = live}} *{{cite news| author = Fredreka Schouten| title = Union helps non-profit groups pay for attack ads| newspaper = USA Today| date = September 19, 2008| url = https://www.usatoday.com/news/politics/election2008/2008-09-18-union-money_N.htm| access-date = September 30, 2009| archive-date = January 14, 2021| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210114214516/https://usatoday30.usatoday.com/news/politics/election2008/2008-09-18-union-money_N.htm| url-status = live}} *{{cite news| author = Ruth Marcus| title = Attack Ads You'll Be Seeing| newspaper = The Washington Post| date = August 8, 2007| url = https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/08/07/AR2007080701287.html| access-date = September 30, 2009| archive-date = January 14, 2021| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210114214459/https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/08/07/AR2007080701287.html| url-status = live}} *{{cite news| author = Chris Cillizza| title = Ads, Ads Everywhere!| newspaper = The Washington Post| date = September 20, 2006| url = http://voices.washingtonpost.com/thefix/ohio-river-ramble/ads-ads-everywhere.html| access-date = September 30, 2009| author-link = Chris Cillizza| archive-date = January 14, 2021| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210114214515/http://voices.washingtonpost.com/thefix/ohio-river-ramble/ads-ads-everywhere.html| url-status = dead}} *{{cite news| author = Samantha Gross| title = Coming Soon: Personalized Campaign Ads| newspaper = The Washington Post| date = September 7, 2007| url = https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/09/07/AR2007090701573_pf.html| access-date = September 30, 2009| archive-date = January 14, 2021| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210114214442/https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/09/07/AR2007090701573_pf.html| url-status = live}}</ref> Negative advertising is seen as effective because "the messages tend to stick."<ref>{{cite news| author = Howard Kurtz| title = Campaign on Television People May Dislike Attack Ads, but the Messages Tend to Stick| newspaper = The Washington Post| date = January 6, 2008| url = https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/01/05/AR2008010502196.html| access-date = September 30, 2009| archive-date = January 14, 2021| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210114214437/https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/01/05/AR2008010502196.html| url-status = live}}</ref> These advertisements sour the public on the political process in general as most members of Congress seek to avoid blame.<ref name=tws2010Sep11piiu>{{cite news |author1=Steven S. Smith |author2=Jason M. Roberts |author3=Ryan J. Vander Wielen |title=The American Congress (Fourth Edition) |publisher=Cambridge University Press |page=21 |year=2006 |isbn=9781139446990 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=fWpE_HxuxVEC&q=Smith,+Steven+S.,+Jason+M.+Roberts,+and+Ryan+Vander+Wielen+%282007%29.+The+American+Congress |access-date=September 11, 2010 |archive-date=January 14, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210114214442/https://books.google.com/books?id=fWpE_HxuxVEC&q=Smith%2C+Steven+S.%2C+Jason+M.+Roberts%2C+and+Ryan+Vander+Wielen+%282007%29.+The+American+Congress |url-status=live }}</ref> One wrong decision or one damaging television image can mean defeat at the next election, which leads to a culture of risk avoidance, a need to make policy decisions behind closed doors,<ref name=tws2010Sep11piiu/><ref>{{Cite book|url=http://www.oecd.org/cleangovbiz/toolkit/50101671.pdf|title=Lobbying: influencing decision making with transparency and integrity|publisher=[[Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development]] (OECD)|year=2012|access-date=March 30, 2019|archive-date=April 11, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190411233431/http://www.oecd.org/cleangovbiz/toolkit/50101671.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> and concentrating publicity efforts in the members' home districts.<ref name=tws2010Sep11t14dd1/> ====Perceptions==== [[File:An Advertisement of The Federalist - Project Gutenberg eText 16960.jpg|thumb|alt=Ad for the Federalist.|''[[The Federalist Papers]]'', which argued in favor of a strong connection between citizens and their representatives]] Prominent [[Founding Fathers of the United States|Founding Fathers]], writing in ''[[The Federalist Papers]]'', felt that elections were essential to liberty, that a bond between the people and the representatives was particularly essential,<ref name=tws01oct>{{cite news| author = Alexander Hamilton or James Madison| title = The Federalist Paper No. 52| date = February 8, 1788| url = http://en.wikisource.org/wiki/The_Federalist_(Dawson)/52| access-date = October 1, 2009| archive-date = January 14, 2021| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210114214447/https://en.wikisource.org/wiki/The_Federalist_%28Dawson%29/52| url-status = live}}</ref> and that "frequent elections are unquestionably the only policy by which this dependence and sympathy can be effectually secured."<ref name="tws01oct"/> In 2009, few Americans were familiar with leaders of Congress.<ref>{{cite news| title = Congress' Approval Rating at Lowest Point for Year| work = Reuters| date = September 2, 2009| url = https://www.reuters.com/article/pressRelease/idUS95973+02-Sep-2009+BW20090902| access-date = October 1, 2009|url-status = dead| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090905170136/http://www.reuters.com/article/pressRelease/idUS95973+02-Sep-2009+BW20090902| archive-date = September 5, 2009| df = mdy-all}}</ref><ref>{{cite news| title = The Congress: Makings of the 72nd (Cont.)| newspaper = Time| date = September 22, 1930| url = http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,740313,00.html| access-date = October 1, 2009| archive-date = August 27, 2013| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130827230254/http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,740313,00.html| url-status = dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite news| author = Jonathan Peterson| title = Confident Clinton Lends Hand to Congress Candidates| newspaper = Los Angeles Times| date = October 21, 1996| url = https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1996-10-21-mn-56229-story.html| access-date = October 1, 2009| archive-date = January 14, 2021| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210114214433/https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1996-10-21-mn-56229-story.html| url-status = live}}</ref> The percentage of Americans eligible to vote who did, in fact, vote was 63% in 1960, but has been falling since, although there was a slight upward trend in the 2008 election.<ref>{{cite news | title = References about diffname}} *{{cite news| title = The Congress: Makings of the 72nd (Cont.)| newspaper = Time| date = September 22, 1930| url = http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,740313,00.html| access-date = October 1, 2009| archive-date = August 27, 2013| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130827230254/http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,740313,00.html| url-status = dead}} *{{cite news| author = Maki Becker| title = Informed Opinions on Today's Topics – Looking for Answers to Voter Apathy| newspaper = Los Angeles Times| date = June 17, 1994| url = https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1994-06-17-me-5121-story.html| access-date = October 1, 2009| archive-date = January 14, 2021| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210114214429/https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1994-06-17-me-5121-story.html| url-status = live}} *{{cite news| author = Daniel Brumberg| title = America's Re-emerging Democracy| newspaper = The Washington Post| date = October 30, 2008| url = http://newsweek.washingtonpost.com/postglobal/needtoknow/2008/10/america_our_re-emerging_democr.html| access-date = October 1, 2009| archive-date = October 10, 2017| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20171010130104/http://newsweek.washingtonpost.com/postglobal/needtoknow/2008/10/america_our_re-emerging_democr.html| url-status = live}} *{{cite news| author = Karen Tumulty| author-link = Karen Tumulty| title = Congress Must Now Make Own Painful Choices| newspaper = Los Angeles Times| date = July 8, 1986| url = https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1986-07-08-mn-22496-story.html| access-date = October 1, 2009| archive-date = January 14, 2021| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210114214440/https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1986-07-08-mn-22496-story.html| url-status = live}} *{{cite news| author = Janet Hook| title = As U.S. Economy Flows, Voter Vitriol Ebbs| newspaper = Los Angeles Times| date = December 22, 1997| url = https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1997-dec-22-mn-1214-story.html| access-date = October 1, 2009| archive-date = January 14, 2021| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210114214457/https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1997-dec-22-mn-1214-story.html| url-status = live}}</ref> [[Public opinion polls]] asking people if they approve of the job Congress is doing have, in the last few decades, hovered around 25% with some variation.<ref name=tws2010Sep11t14cc/><ref name="tws28sep01">{{cite news |date=January 9, 2008 |title=Congress gets $4,100 pay raise |url=https://www.usatoday.com/news/washington/2008-01-09-Raise-me_N.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210114214514/https://usatoday30.usatoday.com/news/washington/2008-01-09-Raise-me_N.htm |archive-date=January 14, 2021 |access-date=September 28, 2009 |newspaper=USA Today |agency=Associated Press}}</ref><ref>{{cite news| author = Gallup Poll/Newsweek| title = Congress and the Public: Congressional Job Approval Ratings Trend (1974–present)| publisher = The Gallup Organization| date = October 8, 2009| url = http://www.gallup.com/poll/1600/Congress-Public.aspx| access-date = October 8, 2009| archive-date = August 7, 2013| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130807115601/http://www.gallup.com/poll/1600/Congress-Public.aspx| url-status = live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | title = References about low approval ratings}} *{{cite news| title = Congress' Approval Rating Jumps to 31%| publisher = Gallup| date = February 17, 2009| url = http://www.gallup.com/poll/114670/Congress-Approval-Rating-Jumps.aspx| access-date = October 1, 2009| archive-date = January 14, 2021| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210114214658/https://news.gallup.com/poll/114670/Congress-Approval-Rating-Jumps.aspx| url-status = live}} *{{cite news| title = Congress' Approval Rating at Lowest Point for Year| work = Reuters| date = September 2, 2009| url = https://www.reuters.com/article/pressRelease/idUS95973+02-Sep-2009+BW20090902| access-date = October 1, 2009| url-status = dead| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090905170136/http://www.reuters.com/article/pressRelease/idUS95973+02-Sep-2009+BW20090902| archive-date = September 5, 2009| df = mdy-all}} *{{cite news| author = John Whitesides| title = Bush, Congress at record low ratings: Reuters poll| work = Reuters| date = September 19, 2007| url = https://www.reuters.com/article/politicsNews/idUSN1844140220070919| access-date = October 1, 2009| archive-date = January 14, 2021| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210114214501/https://www.reuters.com/article/politicsNews/idUSN1844140220070919| url-status = live}} *{{cite news| author = Seung Min Kim| title = Poll: Congress' job approval at 31%| newspaper = USA Today| date = February 18, 2009| url = https://www.usatoday.com/news/washington/2009-02-17-congress-poll_N.htm| access-date = October 1, 2009| archive-date = January 14, 2021| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210114214526/https://usatoday30.usatoday.com/news/washington/2009-02-17-congress-poll_N.htm| url-status = live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news| author = interview by David Schimke| title = Presidential Power to the People – Author Dana D. Nelson on why democracy demands that the next president be taken down a notch| newspaper = Utne Reader| date = September–October 2008| url = http://www.utne.com/2008-09-01/Politics/Presidential-Power-to-the-People.aspx| access-date = September 20, 2009| archive-date = January 15, 2013| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130115173810/http://www.utne.com/2008-09-01/Politics/Presidential-Power-to-the-People.aspx| url-status = live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news| author = Guy Gugliotta| title = Politics In, Voter Apathy Out Amid Heavy Turnout| newspaper = The Washington Post| date = November 3, 2004| url = https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A20054-2004Nov2.html| access-date = October 1, 2009| archive-date = October 14, 2017| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20171014054349/http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A20054-2004Nov2.html| url-status = live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news| agency = Associated Press| title = Voter Turnout Rate Said to Be Highest Since 1968| newspaper = The Washington Post| date = December 15, 2008| url = https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/12/14/AR2008121402295.html| access-date = October 1, 2009| archive-date = October 14, 2017| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20171014054354/http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/12/14/AR2008121402295.html| url-status = live}}</ref> Scholar Julian Zeliger suggested that the "size, messiness, virtues, and vices that make Congress so interesting also create enormous barriers to our understanding the institution{{spaces}}... Unlike the presidency, Congress is difficult to conceptualize."<ref>{{cite news |editor= Julian E. Zelizer |title= The American Congress: The Building of Democracy |publisher= Houghton Mifflin Company |page= xiv–xv |year= 2004 |isbn= 0-618-17906-2 |url= https://books.google.com/books?id=_MGEIIwT5pUC&q=Zelizer+Julian+2004+American+Congress+The+Building+of+Democracy |access-date= September 11, 2010 |archive-date= October 19, 2017 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20171019131704/https://books.google.com/books?id=_MGEIIwT5pUC |url-status= live }}</ref> Other scholars suggest that despite the criticism, "Congress is a remarkably resilient institution{{spaces}}... its place in the political process is not threatened{{spaces}}... it is rich in resources" and that most members behave ethically.<ref name="tws2010Sep11rtww" /> They contend that "Congress is easy to dislike and often difficult to defend" and this perception is exacerbated because many challengers running for Congress run ''against'' Congress, which is an "old form of American politics" that further undermines Congress's reputation with the public:<ref name=tws2010Sep11t14cc/> {{blockquote|The rough-and-tumble world of legislating is not orderly and civil, human frailties too often taint its membership, and legislative outcomes are often frustrating and ineffective{{spaces}}... Still, we are not exaggerating when we say that Congress is essential to American democracy. We would not have survived as a nation without a Congress that represented the diverse interests of our society, conducted a public debate on the major issues, found compromises to resolve conflicts peacefully, and limited the power of our executive, military, and judicial institutions{{spaces}}... The popularity of Congress ebbs and flows with the public's confidence in government generally{{spaces}}... the legislative process is easy to dislike{{snd}}it often generates political posturing and grandstanding, it necessarily involves compromise, and it often leaves broken promises in its trail. Also, members of Congress often appear self-serving as they pursue their political careers and represent interests and reflect values that are controversial. Scandals, even when they involve a single member, add to the public's frustration with Congress and have contributed to the institution's low ratings in opinion polls.|Smith, Roberts & Wielen<ref name=tws2010Sep11t14cc/>}} An additional factor that confounds public perceptions of Congress is that congressional issues are becoming more technical and complex and require expertise in subjects such as science, engineering and economics.<ref name=tws2010Sep11t14cc/> As a result, Congress often cedes authority to experts at the executive branch.<ref name=tws2010Sep11t14cc/> Since 2006, Congress has dropped ten points in the Gallup confidence poll with only nine percent having "a great deal" or "quite a lot" of confidence in their legislators.<ref>{{cite news |last=Norman |first=Jim |url=http://www.gallup.com/poll/192581/americans-confidence-institutions-stays-low.aspx |title=Americans' Confidence in Institutions Stays Low |publisher=Gallup |date=June 13, 2016 |access-date=June 14, 2016 |archive-date=January 14, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210114214515/https://news.gallup.com/poll/192581/americans-confidence-institutions-stays-low.aspx |url-status=live }}</ref> Since 2011, [[Gallup poll]] has reported Congress's approval rating among Americans at 10% or below three times.<ref name="blogs.wsj.com"/><ref name="firstread.nbcnews.com"/> Public opinion of Congress plummeted further to 5% in October 2013 after parts of the U.S. government deemed 'nonessential government' shut down.<ref name=voa5congress>{{cite news|title=White House: Republicans Will 'Do the Right Thing'|url=http://www.voanews.com/content/poll-us-congressional-approval-at-5-percent/1765911.html|access-date=October 10, 2013|publisher=Voice of America|date=October 9, 2013|archive-date=March 5, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305013339/http://www.voanews.com/content/poll-us-congressional-approval-at-5-percent/1765911.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
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