56 Quotes by Thomas E. Mann

Mandates are not objective realities but subjective interpretations of elections sold successfully by the winning candidate or party.

In addition to the decline in competition, American politics today is characterized by a growing ideological polarization between the two major political parties.

First, his job approval ratings have been trending down for many months, a trend that has accelerated in recent weeks as the war on terrorism has been supplanted in the public's mind by corporate scandals, stock market declines, and a growing sense of economic insecurity.

All of this suggests that while citizens became more comfortable with President Bush after September 11 and thought him to have the requisite leadership skills, they continue to harbor doubts about his priorities, loyalties, interests, and policies.

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

The public's evaluation of the job George W. Bush is doing as president changed dramatically as a result of the horrific attacks of September 11 and his response in leading the country on a campaign against terrorism.

America is an outlier in the world of democracies when it comes to the structure and conduct of elections.

Democrats do best in urban centers, Republicans in outer suburbs and rural areas.

Private sector labors unions continue to suffer losses in their membership while public sector and service unions grow.