Quote:
Originally Posted by Ithekro
Pattern:
Eisenhower - Republican - eight years
Kennedy/Johnson - Democrat - eight years
Nixon/Ford - Republican - eight years
Carter - Democrat - four years
(oddity in pattern)
Reagan/Bush - Republican - twelve years
Clinton - Democrat - eight years
Bush - Republican - eight years
Obama - Democrat ~ eight years
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All this pattern really shows is the powers of incumbency, which can be seen in both federal and state level election. Elections are not decided on some sub-conscious desire for/struggle between...I don't know what, the id and the superego (you decide who's who
)?
That being said, each election and re-election can be explained quite reasonably on the personal level of the candidates (why they were elected and who voted for them)...well, besides Bush Jr. winning over Gore
.
And the fact that a full fourth of the test group (Carter and Bush Sr.) does not adhere to the pattern is proof enough that there is not sufficient evidence to support any hypothesis. It's not a pattern so much as a coincidence.