| OCR Text |
Show HONORS COLLEGE SPRING 2013 Kathryn Stone Matthew Burbank A GREAT DIVIDE: THE 1994 ELECTION AND THE POLARIZATION OF AMERICAN POLITICS Kathryn Stone (Matthew Burbank) Department of Political Science University of Utah In the midterm elections of 1994, the Republican party achieved an impressive victory in Congress, winning fifty four seats in the House of Representatives and eight seats in the Senate from the Democrats. Newt Gingrich and his "Contract With America" successfully nationalized the party platform and assisted the Republicans in achieving their goal of becoming the majority party in Congress. Because of this, many political analysts categorize 1994 as a "realignment". However, the 1994 victory was not necessarily a realignment as it was a reaction to the existing government. Evidence shows that voter discontent with both President Clinton and the Democrats in Congress due to scandals and accusations of corruption played an intrinsic role in the Republican victory. The 1994 election was so historic not solely due to Gingrich and the Republicans'aggressive campaigning nor a voter endorsement of conservatism, but also a lack of confidence in the effectiveness of the Democrats. Low voter turnout, weak Democratic candidates in competitive districts, President Clinton's unpopular attempts at reform, and numerous scandals hurt the Democrats in Congress and greatly contributed to the Republican takeover. However, it is clear from the subsequent results in Congressional elections such as 2006 and 2010 that the Republican party under Gingrich played a large role in polarizing the two parties' respective platforms and thus the voter reaction to national crises. |
