If you were an incumbent in office and you wanted to make election rules to help increase incumbency advantage, what rules would you make?
Despite the fact that he could have ruled for life, Gorge Washington retired after two terms as president. In his farewell address, Washington wrote, “The period for a new election of a citizen to administer the executive government of the United States being not far distant, and the time actually arrived when your thoughts must be employed in designating the person who is to be clothed with that important trust, it appears to me proper, especially as it may conduce to a more distinct expression of the public voice, that I should now apprise you of the resolution I have formed, to decline being considered among the number of those out of whom a choice is to be made.” What would Washington say about incumbents who stay in office for 4 or 5 terms?
Visual Extension which has absolutely nothing at all to do with today’s class starter.
Learning Extension
Read this 538 story on the shrinking incumbency advantage.
Action Extension
Anyone representing you in the government is now (or is about to be) an incumbent. Contact your incumbent and ask them how long they plan on staying in office. Share their response in class or online.