Kick the bums out?: A structural equation model exploring the degree to which mainstream and partisan sources influence polarization and anti-incumbent attitudes

• Thomas J. Johnson ^[2] ; Angela M. Lee ^[1]
  1. [1] University of Texas at Dallas

     University of Texas at Dallas

     Estados Unidos

     
  2. [2] University of Texas-Austin
• Localización: Electoral Studies: An international Journal, ISSN 0261-3794, Nº 40, 2015, págs. 210-220
• Idioma: inglés
• DOI: 10.1016/j.electstud.2015.08.008
• Texto completo no disponible (Saber más ...)
• Resumen

  • The public's anti-incumbent mood was at a then all-time high in the 2010 election with almost two-thirds (65 percent) agreeing that most members of Congress did not deserve re-election. Previous studies have not directly examined whether and how different types of media influence anti-incumbent attitudes. This study relies on a 2010 state poll to examine how partisan and mainstream news sources influence anti-incumbent attitudes, controlling for political and demographic variables, and how polarization mediates such effects. Using a structural equation model, this study finds that whereas reliance on partisan media is positively associated with anti-incumbent attitudes toward most Senators and representatives, reliance on mainstream media is negatively associated with it. On the other hand, reliance on neither media type is statistically associated with anti-incumbent attitudes toward one's own representatives.