Retrospective Voting and Its Current Perception

Topic: Elections
Words: 321 Pages: 1

The level of political tensions has grown substantially in the U.S. recently, leading to an increased tension within the community. The current scale of political polarization has entailed quite peculiar outcomes, including the propensity toward shifts in voting principles. Specifically, the phenomenon of retrospective voting as the concept of giving one’s political voice based on performance outcomes as opposed to allegiance to a certain party may produce unexpected results. In their tween on September, 22, the RealClearPolitics (@theRealClearNew) made it evident that the profound influence that the Democratic Party has been enjoying over the past several decades may have eventually exhausted itself due to the lack of effect in their actions and the resulting trend among general audiences to opt for retrospective voting.

The evident irony in the very tweet, as well as the article to which it links, indicates that the authors thereof do not believe in the return of Democrats due to the tangible presence of disappointment in their actions in general audiences. Therefore, the tweet ad the article demonstrate the author’s belief in the idea of retrospective voting as the min vehicle behind the oncoming elections. Indeed, the use of satire in the tweet, which is illustrated by the incorporation of a figure of speech – namely, “Too little too late” – into the heading outlines the lack of belief (@theRealClearNew). In turn, the article itself confirms that the propensity to vote for Republicans is apparent in new voters, which is indicative of the presence of retrospective voting in the U.S. population.

By incorporating irony and the use of a metaphor in their tweet, the RealClearPolitics established that the probability of retrospective voting in the U.S. population is very high. Specifically, the specified rhetoric devices have emphasized the author’s strong disbelief in the victory of Democrats. Therefore, the tweet signals that its author is highly sceptical of retrospective voting not playing a major role in the oncoming election.

Work Cited

@theRealClearNew. “Dems’ Midterm Comeback Could Be Too Little, Too Late.” Twitter, Web.