Presidential-election outcomes are far more predictable than congressional ones: a 'guns and butter' model (real income/economic growth plus involvement in foreign wars) predicts whether the incumbent party wins because voters hold the president responsible for the economy and for foreign wars—the model fails mainly in 1952 and 1966.

causalpending

Speaker

David Brady

Evidence Quote

the incumbent president's party... will win or lose the presidency depending upon how the economy is doing period period

Source

David Brady on the State of the Electorate 09/02/2010EconTalk
Created: 6/16/2026, 2:51:22 PM

My Notes

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