Cases in Congressional Campaigns: Incumbents Playing Defense

During the 2008 elections, nowhere was change more anticipated than in the House and Senate. Going into Election Day, most analysts predicted a large majority of Democratic wins in both chambers. However, while many Republicans lost and Democrats came away with a clear majority, some of the most vulnerable managed to hang on and win reelection. Cases in Congressional Campaigns illustrates how embattled incumbents defended their turf in such a difficult year for Republican candidates, the Republican Party, and the Republican brand. It focuses on how selected congressional incumbents "played defense"—successfully or not—in an election cycle that was dominated by the theme and message of change.
Each chapter is written by political scientists on the ground and familiar with the district they are analyzing. Analysis of broader trends from the 2008 cycle bookend the volume with Adkins and Dulio’s insightful framing. More than just a collection of case studies, this book offers a common framework for understanding who won, who lost, and why. In addition, the companion website at www.routledge.com/textbooks/9780415873888 provides instructors with useful teaching tools, including sample assignments, dynamic PowerPoint slides, graphs, and links to relevant YouTube clips.

David Dulio is associate professor of political science at Oakland University in Rochester, MI.
Randall E. Adkins is professor of political science at the University of Nebraska, Omaha.

1. Playing Defense in a Year of Change (Randall E. Adkins and David A. Dulio) 2. Sinking in "The Perfect Storm": Knollenberg vs. Peters in Michigan’s Ninth Congressional District (David A. Dulio and John S. Klemanski) 3. All Politics is Still Local: McConnell vs. Lunsford in Kentucky’s Senate Race (Jasmine L. Farrier) 4. Running Scared from the Hill and at Home: Kirk vs. Seals in Illinois’ Tenth Congressional District (Wayne P. Steger) 5. Defending Principles against a Tsunami: Shays vs. Himes in Connecticut’s Fourth Congressional District (Victoria Farrar-Myers) 6. Painting the High Plains Blue: Musgrave vs. Markey in Colorado’s Fourth Congressional District (Seth E. Masket) 7. Campaigning Against the Uncontrollable: Sununu vs. Shaheen in New Hampshire’s Senate Race (Dante J. Scala and Andrew E. Smith) 8. Defending the Party’s Turf in the Wake of Scandal: McClintock vs. Brown in California’s Fourth Congressional District (Colton C. Campbell) 9. Campaign Cash, Negative Ads, and Court Battles: Coleman vs. Franken vs. Barkley in Minnesota’s Senate Race (Kathryn Pearson, William H. Flanigan and Nancy H. Zingale) 10. All Politics is Local…Except When It Isn't: English vs. Dahlkemper in Pennsylvania's Third Congressional District (Daniel M. Shea and Stephen K. Medvic) 11. Courting the Obama-Terry Voter: Terry vs. Esch in Nebraska’s Second Congressional District (Randall E. Adkins and Gregory A. Petrow) 12. Back to Blue? Shifting Tides in the Tar Heel State: Dole vs. Hagan in North Carolina’s Senate Race (Jody C. Baumgartner, Peter L. Francia, Brad Lockerbie, and Jonathan S. Morris) 13. One Election is Not Enough: Chambliss vs. Martin in the Peach State’s Senate Race (Charles S. Bullock, III 14. Looking for a Silver Bullet Randall E. Adkins and David A. Dulio)