The Rally Round the Flag Phenomenon

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The
“Rally ‘Round the Flag”
Phenomenon

“No one should be surprised if President Bush sought to divert attention from the budget deficit and savings and loan scandal by taking military action against Iraq…he would not be the first president to act forcefully abroad for partisan advantage…”

-As heard on National Public Radio, McNeil-Lehrer News Hour, 1990
(Lian, Oneal, 1993)


“Popular response to a president during an international crisis is favorable, regardless of the wisdom of the policies he pursues.” (Polsby, 1964)


“Either you’re with us, or you’re with the terrorists.” George W. Bush
(Washington Post, 20 Sept. 2001)


It has become an accepted fact in American politics that when crisis occurs, the president’s public popularity rises dramatically. Much has been written about this phenomenon, often referred to as the “rally round the flag” phenomenon, yet there seems to be a lack of material regarding how presidents have used this effect to their advantage. What has been written to support this “rally effect” theory? Could it be possible for an administration to do anything from avoiding scandal to pushing through legislation, in order to enhance the current administration, by capitalizing on the “rally round the flag” mentality?
One of the first and most prominent study of the “rally round the flag” phenomenon comes from John Mueller’s: War, Presidents and Public Opinion. Certain intense international events will tend to generate an effect that will give a brief boost to the popularity of the president. (Mueller, 1973) It has even been noted that the first effect of an international crisis is the President’s popular standing. (Waltz, 1967).
A rally event has been defined by Mueller as having three characteristics. First, an event must confront the nation as a whole, on an international scale. Second, this event must envelope the United States and ...