Kick the bums out?: A structural equation model exploring the degree to which mainstream and partisan sources influence polarization and anti-incumbent attitudes
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Thomas J. Johnson [2] ; Angela M. Lee [1]
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[1] University of Texas at Dallas
University of Texas at Dallas
Estados Unidos
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[2] University of Texas-Austin
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- Localización: Electoral Studies: An international Journal, ISSN 0261-3794, Nº 40, 2015, págs. 210-220
- Idioma: inglés
- Texto completo no disponible (Saber más ...)
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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.
