A president had a difficult first term dominated by a major economic recession, followed by a swift recovery and a costly but successful foreign war. He was unable to pursue his domestic-reform goals. The president now seeks reelection so he can pursue his domestic agenda during a second term.

Question

A president had a difficult first term dominated by a major economic recession, followed by a swift recovery and a costly but successful foreign war. He was unable to pursue his domestic-reform goals. The president now seeks reelection so he can pursue his domestic agenda during a second term.

Which of the following will most greatly affect the candidate’s chance of winning reelection?

retrospective voting based on the nation’s economic recovery and foreign-policy success
the heavy use of television advertisements that attack the opponent’s character
presidential debates that strongly emphasize the president’s planned domestic agenda
a party-nomination acceptance speech that notes the president’s first-term accomplishments

Answer 1

Retrospective voting based on the nation's economic recovery and foreign-policy success will most greatly affect the candidate's chance of winning reelection.

Answer 2

Of the options given, retrospective voting based on the nation's economic recovery and foreign-policy success will most greatly affect the candidate's chance of winning reelection. This is because voters often assess the performance of the incumbent president based on their handling of the economy and foreign policy. If the president can successfully showcase the recovery from the economic recession and highlight the success of the costly foreign war, it could positively impact their chances of winning reelection.