Thomas E. Mann

“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.”

“Congress requires states to draw single-member districts.”

“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.”

“I don't believe in a golden mean; I don't believe you find policy wisdom between two polar points. I don't dismiss that possibility, but I look at the platform that's so ideologically based, that's so dismissive of facts, of evidence, of science, and it's frankly hard to take seriously.”

“In the House, Republican prospects have been buoyed by several successful rounds of redistricting, which have sharply reduced the number of competitive seats and given the Republicans a national advantage of at least a dozen seats.”

“Presidents are elected not by direct popular vote but by 538 members of the Electoral College.”

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

“Incumbents are safe, but party majorities are not. This fosters symbolic votes, message politics and little serious legislating in Congress.”