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The Effect of Divided Government on the Rally-Round-the-Flag Phenomenon

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The Effect of Divided Government on the Rally-Round-the-Flag Phenomenon
The Effect of Divided Government on the Rally-Round-the-Flag Phenomenon
By: Nicole Dambra
PSC412 Professor Johnson
April 29, 2010

Abstract: The concept that public approval of the President increases during times of international crisis is known as the Rally around the Flag phenomenon. Divided government lessens the President’s accountability, by allowing the president to pass blame to the majority party in the legislative branch. The President attains higher levels of approval from rallies during divided government due to three factors. First, there are higher levels of opposition party criticisms prior to a crisis. Secondly, media outlets disproportionably cover opposition party elites statements supporting the President. Lastly, opposition party statements in support of the President are a very powerful influence on the public.

Public approval is important because it increases the power of the President in many aspects of the political arena. Presidential public approval plays a role in members of the president’s party being elected into opening congressional seats (Marra and Ostrom 1989). Presidential popularity has also been linked to the successful policy initiation from the president (Rivers and Rose 1985), and less reversed presidential vetoes (Rohde and Simon 1985). Popular presidents have more persuasive power amongst members of Congress, “and are more likely to present bold and ambitious legislative packages to Congress” (Baker and Oneal). Popular Presidents have more options and freedom to enact their political agendas with less resistance from Congress (Baker and Oneal). Since public approval is so valuable to the President, the rally-around-the-flag phenomenon is worthy of further research. The notion that a president can elicit a surge of patriotism and public approval for his administration and its policies during an international crisis is known as the
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