Congress Vs Incumbents

The United States of America is like no other country in the world. Our democracy is confusing to everyone else in the world but makes sense to those born here. But, there is one thing that even confuses Americans, that is, Congress. According to Real Clear Politics, only 15% of Americans approve of job of Congress, while 75% disapprove. This is not surprising, but what is surprising is that even with such low approval ratings, 80% of Senator Incumbents and 95% of Representative Incumbents get reelected. Why? This paradox is the result for multiple reasons. The American people often have presumptuous opinions, are uninformed, or just don’t care. In addition, Congressmen have large influence over outcomes of future elections. Learning why Congressmen
get reelected even with low approval ratings is essential to understanding the American people.
When candidates get elected, they celebrate, get settled into their office, and start planning for their reelection.
It’s that quick. Due to such short terms for some positions, campaign fundraising begins right after an election. Citizen disapproval could be based on the fact that these leaders’ focus is not on changing policy for the better, but on saving their necks the next time around. Incumbents always have a slight advantage anyway just from experience and previously holding the office. Because it’s easier to get reelected than not, they exert substantial amounts of energy to get reelected and make sure they use every wall of protection to ensure their position. They also put so much effort into the next campaign because, “they do not know they are safe -- and even if they think they are, the price of being wrong is enormous…A congressman or a senator may believe that he is reasonably safe, but if he wants to be re-elected, he would be a fool to act on that belief.” (Running Scared) All elected officials know that their job is on the line and they aren’t willing to risk it in any way they can
control.
In some instances, officials can’t control, or even majorly influence, the views of the people. Everything about politics makes some cringe. They view politics as a group of grownups arguing, fighting, name-calling, and bickering. They view politicians as dishonest, lying, cheating, corrupt, and overbearing (Mayer-Canon, p.17). On the other hand, Congress view themselves as people protecting their beliefs and ensuring the best for the people they represent. They are always forming coalitions trying to compromise, but often things end in a gridlock. If things result in a gridlock, “The only consensus is that national leaders, when failing to act, have not done their job.” (KJKV, p. 269) But, even if they were to compromise, the people often view this as weak. In compromise, no one left with exactly what they wanted so the citizens are still disappointed with Congress.
Often the citizens disapprove of Congress as a whole, but find their own Congressmen to be of satisfactory worth.
In most cases, citizens have seen their leaders accomplish great things in their state and assume that these leaders are able to translate this effectiveness to Congress. Sometimes, these leaders get stuck between a rock and a hard place. It is almost inevitable that these decision makers will face an issue to which there is no solution that conforms to what they told their citizens their stance was on the issue. They then have to make a choice and it happens to be a very unpopular decision even if they know that choice was best for the citizens. Leaders can and lots are heavily influenced by bribes given to them by major companies or interest groups. We then have a “Prisoner’s Dilemma,” where the leader has to choose to better their circumstances or protect the majority (Mayer-Canon, p.
23).
Of all of these explanations as to why an unpopular Congress can have the mass majority of Congressmen get reelected, the most influential, is that these very individuals have direct control over redistricting. When reapportionment occurs every census year, all of the seats in the House are redistributed so every state gets their allotted number of seats based on population. These Congressmen, then can and will redraw district lines giving them favor in the next election. Thus, ensuring their jobs and explaining the paradox.
The paradox of disapproval of Congress, but of an approval of individual Congressmen makes clear sense. These leaders have a lot of control and influence over elections, campaign fundraising, and even how their work is viewed.