ABSTRACT
Politicians and political scientists often perceive different political processes, at least as each describes what the other believes. The discrepancy is less apparent in discussions of election outcomes. Success is attributed to the issues raised and a campaign that canvassed the electorate and got out the vote. Failure is laid on the doorstep of party voting and the loser’s inability to get the issues across, or to insulate himself from the issues that cut against his party in the election. Of course, the style of the analysis and the manner in which cause is attributed differ, but there is at least agreement on variables.
