A single random abduction and murder reshaped a governor’s race

Evidence

The ads reminded the public that her father, Edmund, and her brother, Jerry—both California governors—opposed the death penalty as well. … Brown objected to Wilson’s misrepresentations of her position on crime and criticized him for “exploiting the pain of rape victims to cover up his failed record” (Stall, 1994). Brown’s initially large lead rapidly eroded, and she was defeated in the election. Both this case and that of Michael Dukakis illustrate how a socially threatening, fortuitous event can help determine the outcomes of gubernatorial and presidential elections. — Albert Bandura, Moral Disengagement, 1867 (#expands, via linked claim)

Categorization

• XREF: connects to: A single random crime can swing a statewide election toward tough-on-crime candidates — Albert Bandura, Moral Disengagement: How People Do Harm…, 1867; A single random, frightening crime can swing statewide and presidential elections — Albert Bandura, Moral Disengagement: How People Do Harm…, 1864

Broader Connections

• A single random crime can swing a statewide election toward tough-on-crime candidates #expands (0.95) — Albert Bandura, Moral Disengagement, 1867