Make It Rain? Retrospection and the Attentive Electorate in the Context of Natural Disasters

@article{Gasper2011MakeIR,
  title={Make It Rain? Retrospection and the Attentive Electorate in the Context of Natural Disasters},
  author={John T. Gasper and Andrew Reeves},
  journal={American Journal of Political Science},
  year={2011},
  volume={55},
  pages={340-355}
}
Are election outcomes driven by events beyond the control of politicians? Democratic accountability requires that voters make reasonable evaluations of incumbents. Although natural disasters are beyond human control, the response to these eventsistheresponsibilityofelectedofficials.Inacounty-levelanalysisofgubernatorialandpresidentialelectionsfrom1970 to2006,weexaminetheeffectsofweathereventsandgovernmentalresponses.Wefindthatelectoratespunishpresidentsand governors for severe weather damage… 
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