At what point does the electorate wield the most influence?

[Bonobo]

If we were to draw a graph of when the electorate has the most influence on a politician, when would it be?

Would it be right AFTER an election when the politician has already won?

Would it be in the middle of the term?

Or...would it be when they are trying to appeal to their hoped-for voters?

[ProSense]

1. That's a good

question for Scott Walker and Mitt Romney. They seem to be able to say any damn thing and fool a big chunk of the electorate.

[JaneyVee]

2. Right after an election.

But the electorate must constantly make their voices heard.

[Bonobo]

3. After an election? How would that work? nt

[JaneyVee]

4. You can start a movement by taking your message directly to your newly elected congressman/senator

That's how the Tea Party mobilized and forced their candidates to obstruct. Of course they used the power of the people for evil, even treasonously. There is strength in numbers and a good message by an overwhelming grass-roots movement (opposite of tea party) can have your representative on your side for a cause.

[MannyGoldstein]

5. Now. Right now. nt

[Telly Savalas]

7. The electorate chooses the politicians but has extremely limited influence after this choice is made

The segment of the electorate that decides the outcome for a given election largely consists of low-information voters who lack the focus to try to influence the behavior of politicians. People who are engaged in the process enough to have the desire to exert influence are typically deeply entrenched enough in support of one party (or perhaps opposition to the other) that they have no leverage over the process.

That's not to say people can't impact the process. It's just that the focus needs to be on nominating and electing people that actively support their agenda. i.e. instead of electing one of "Them" and desperately flail around to get them to represent "Us", elect one of "Us" in the first place.