cover of Cases in Congressional Campaigns: Incumbents Playing Defense

Cases in Congressional Campaigns

Incumbents Playing Defense

Edited by Randall E. Adkins, David A. Dulio

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About the Book

During the 2008 elections, nowhere was change more anticipated than in the House and Senate. Going into Election Day, most analysts predicted a large majority of Democratic wins in both chambers. However, while many Republicans lost and Democrats came away with a clear majority, some of the most vulnerable managed to hang on and win reelection. Cases in Congressional Campaigns illustrates how embattled incumbents defended their turf in such a difficult year for Republican candidates, the Republican Party, and the Republican brand. It focuses on how selected congressional incumbents "played defense"—successfully or not—in an election cycle that was dominated by the theme and message of change.

Each chapter is written by political scientists on the ground and familiar with the district they are analyzing. Analysis of broader trends from the 2008 cycle bookend the volume with Adkins and Dulio’s insightful framing. More than just a collection of case studies, this book offers a common framework for understanding who won, who lost, and why. In addition, the companion website at www.routledge.com/textbooks/9780415873888 provides instructors with useful teaching tools, including sample assignments, dynamic PowerPoint slides, graphs, and links to relevant YouTube clips.

Reviews

"Adkins and Dulio’s Cases in Congressional Campaigns reminds us how essential good case studies are to understanding congressional elections. National issues certainly shape aggregate election results, but a full understanding of how they do so and why their effects vary across states and districts requires the kind of detailed analysis of local campaigns and elections provided by the authors of this fine collection."
—Gary Jacobson, University of California, San Diego

"The authors' thematic emphasis is unusual for books of this genre, and should be of interest to those who study electoral politics at any level (not just congressional). We know that incumbents usually win, often in contests that are far from competitive—but the seeds of change are to be found in the exceptions. This book looks at some of those exceptions and, in doing so, adds to our understanding of what was truly a remarkable year in American politics."
—Stephen C. Craig, University of Florida

"This excellent book demonstrates the old adage that the exception proves the rule. These case studies of Republican congressional candidates who survived the 2008 Democratic tide offer fascinating insights into the nature of contemporary campaigns and elections."
—John C. Green, University of Akron; Director, Ray C. Bliss Institute of Applied Politics

Table of Contents

1. Playing Defense in a Year of Change Randall E. Adkins and David A. Dulio 2. Sinking in "The Perfect Storm": Knollenberg vs. Peters in Michigan’s Ninth Congressional District David A. Dulio and John S. Klemanski 3. All Politics is Still Local: McConnell vs. Lunsford in Kentucky’s Senate Race Jasmine L. Farrier 4. Running Scared from the Hill and at Home: Kirk vs. Seals in Illinois’ Tenth Congressional District Wayne P. Steger 5. Defending Principles against a Tsunami: Shays vs. Himes in Connecticut’s Fourth Congressional District Victoria Farrar-Myers 6. Painting the High Plains Blue: Musgrave vs. Markey in Colorado’s Fourth Congressional District Seth E. Masket 7. Campaigning Against the Uncontrollable: Sununu vs. Shaheen in New Hampshire’s Senate Race Dante J. Scala and Andrew E. Smith 8. Defending the Party’s Turf in the Wake of Scandal: McClintock vs. Brown in California’s Fourth Congressional District Colton C. Campbell 9. Campaign Cash, Negative Ads, and Court Battles: Coleman vs. Franken vs. Barkley in Minnesota’s Senate Race Kathryn Pearson, William H. Flanigan and Nancy H. Zingale 10. All Politics is Local...Except When It Isn't: English vs. Dahlkemper in Pennsylvania's Third Congressional District Daniel M. Shea and Stephen K. Medvic 11. Courting the Obama-Terry Voter: Terry vs. Esch in Nebraska’s Second Congressional District Randall E. Adkins and Gregory A. Petrow 12. Back to Blue? Shifting Tides in the Tar Heel State: Dole vs. Hagan in North Carolina’s Senate Race Jody C. Baumgartner, Peter L. Francia, Brad Lockerbie, and Jonathan S. Morris 13. One Election is Not Enough: Chambliss vs. Martin in the Peach State’s Senate Race Charles S. Bullock, III 14. Looking for a Silver Bullet Randall E. Adkins and David A. Dulio

About the Author(s)

David Dulio is associate professor of political science at Oakland University in Rochester, MI.

Randall E. Adkins is professor of political science at the University of Nebraska, Omaha.