Essay 17

One specific trend evident in the chart above is that the amount of democratic seats is trending downward.

Between 1984 and 2000, many southern voters tended to vote for republican candidates for president, however, they continued to vote for democratic canidates for congress. This is because of incumbancy advantage. another reason for this odd voting behavior, is due in part to differences between state and national parties. Because national and state parties are largely independent of each other, to get votes Democratic congressional candidates responded to local interests. Democratic presidential candidates responded to a national constituency, thus, a difference occurs.


Over the past few decades, party composition has changed in groups. Women have become more reliable, Democratic voters. Labor union members have become less reliable Democratic voters; have decreased in number and thus there are fewer Democratic supporters.Catholics have become less reliable Democratic voters as well.

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