Further-more, partisan attachments powerfully shape political perceptions, beliefs and values, and incumbents enjoy advantages well beyond the way in which their districts are configured.

Next quotes

• Thomas E. Mann:

  Congress requires states to draw single-member districts.

• Thomas E. Mann:

  The public's evaluation of the job George W. Bush is doing as president changed dramatically as a r

• Thomas E. Mann:

  But presidential approval also became a surrogate measure of national unity and patriotism.

• Thomas E. Mann:

  First, his job approval ratings have been trending down for many months, a trend that has accelerat

• Thomas E. Mann:

  While Republican voters have remained universally supportive of their President, Democrats and Inde

• Thomas E. Mann:

  Second, the President's popularity has not translated into increased support for the Republican par

• Thomas E. Mann:

  All of this suggests that while citizens became more comfortable with President Bush after Septembe

• Thomas E. Mann:

  The increase in straight-ticket party voting in recent years means that competitive congressional r

• Thomas E. Mann:

  In the House, Republican prospects have been buoyed by several successful rounds of redistricting,

• Thomas E. Mann:

  I don't believe in a golden mean; I don't believe you find policy wisdom between two polar points.