Mayhew's Argumentative Analysis

Mayhew, in Congress: The Electoral Connection, “The Electoral Incentive,” describes a seat in congress as a “congressional career, [offering] good pay and high prestige” (Mayhew 2004, 14-15). In order to keep that career, those in congress must continuously run for reelection, thus forming the “electoral connection.” To be ale to achieve reelection, a congressman must secure voters, and to secure voters he must give these voters what they want. Through this method, congressmen can keep their coveted jobs and the American people can reap the benefit by having congressman pass desired legislation to try and ensure voters. Although this sounds like a stable relationship, outside variables do get in the way. “Fire-alarm oversight,” named by McCubbins …show more content…
The three activities are advertising, credit claiming, and position taking. Advertising allows a candidate to “disseminate [his] name among constituents in such a fashion as to create a favorable image” (Mayhew 2004, 49). With proper advertising, a candidate can put his name out there in a variety of fields, in a way that will make constituents want to vote for him. Credit claiming “generates a belief… that [a congressman] is personally responsible for causing the government to do something… desirable” (52-53). Congressmen take responsibility for positive achievements in the government. When credit is claimed, congressmen get votes from constituents who see them as the cause of this helpful legislation. Lastly, position taking, defined as “the public enunciation of judgmental statements on anything likely to be of interest to political actors,” secures voters with viewpoints that align with those of the congressman (61). These three actions closely tie congress to its constituents. Congressmen do all that they do to create ties with potential voters. A congressman’s reelection seems impossible without the support of his constituents when viewed through Mayhew’s