The "Palin Effect" in the 2008 US Presidential Election

    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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