After reading this chapter, you should be able to:
Explain why Representative Margolies-Mezvinsky's vote in 1993 on Clinton's deficit reduction plan was a supreme act of political courage and why that vote resulted in the loss of her House seat.
Explain how the Framers intended members of Congress to be selected and how the selection of members of Congress has changed over time.
Discuss the impact of reapportionment and redistricting on congressional elections.
Describe the congressional nomination process.
Analyze why party and incumbency are the two most influential factors affecting House elections and why challengers have such difficulty in winning office.
Explain the growth in the representative function of lawmakers.
Describe how members of Congress obtained and used additional resources to help them win reelection.
Demonstrate why the reelection of Senate incumbents is less secure than that of House incumbents.
Explain what "national forces" have been at work in recent congressional elections.
Evaluate the arguments in favor of congressional membership that mirrors the ethnic and gender diversity of the American population. Understand why the SMSP system makes such representation more difficulty.
Understand the advantages and
disadvantages of majority-minority districts.
