Title

The "Palin Effect" in the 2008 US Presidential Election

Authors

Authors

J. Knuckey

Comments

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Abbreviated Journal Title

Polit. Res. Q.

Keywords

elections; voting behavior; running mate; HOME STATE ADVANTAGE; CANDIDATE EVALUATION; AMERICAN POLITICS; BEHAVIOR; Political Science

Abstract

Using data from the American National Election Studies, this article addresses whether the Sarah Palin affected vote choice in 2008. Findings indicate not only that evaluations of Palin were a strong predictor of vote choice-even when controlling for confounding variables-but also that Palin's effect on vote choice was the largest of any vice presidential candidate in elections examined dating back to 1980. Theoretically, the article offers support for the proposition that a running mate is an important short-term force affecting voting behavior. Substantively, the article suggests that Palin may have contributed to a loss of support among "swing voters.".

Journal Title

Political Research Quarterly

Volume

65

Issue/Number

2

Publication Date

1-1-2012

Document Type

Article

Language

English

First Page

275

Last Page

289

WOS Identifier

WOS:000303448800004

ISSN

1065-9129

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