Score contribution per author:
α: calibrated so average coauthorship-adjusted count equals average raw count
The present study examines the impact of televised U.S. Senate sessions (by C-SPAN2) on turnover rates in the U.S. Senate over the period 1946-98. Using a theoretical model wherein political services are viewed as search/experience goods, it is argued that there are many parliamentary procedures available to U.S. Senators (e.g., filibustering, Special Order Speeches, etc.) that serve them as low-cost forms of persuasive advertising. These outlets provide opportunities for political "grandstanding" on popular issues which challengers would have to spend large sums of money to combat and/or replicate. In this way C-SPAN (potentially) serves incumbent Senators as an entry barrier. Copyright 2002 by Kluwer Academic Publishers