Statistical Analysis of "Maverickitude." Guess who's off the charts?

[amy31416]

John McCain, Not So Mavericky Anymore

By Aaron Wiener 5/6/10 12:06 PM

In a newly published paper, Ben Lauderdale, a Ph.D. student in Princeton’s Department of Politics, uses a statistical analysis to plot the relative mavericky-ness of various members of Congress. Mavericks, he explained to John Sides, are members who vote “less on the basis of the political dimension that predicts all legislators’ behavior and more on particularistic factors unique to themselves.” In other words, their voting might seem erratic in the context of a rigid political spectrum, reflecting an idiosyncratic willingness to break ranks to support or oppose legislation on specific policy grounds.

So just how mavericky is Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.), who proudly donned and then curiously shed the mantle of the “original maverick”? Well, not nearly as mavericky as he once was:

http://washingtonindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/mccainmaverick-480x348.jpg

So who are the true mavericks? Sides posts these graphs of the top 10 mavericks in the 111th House and Senate. It’s worth noting that seven of the top 10 mavericks in the House, and the seven most mavericky senators, are in the Democratic caucus — although, as Sides points out, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) is only on the list because he frequently votes against Democratic legislation for procedural reasons.

http://washingtonindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/mavericks111thhouse-480x348.jpg

http://washingtonindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/mavericks111thsenate-480x348.jpg

http://washingtonindependent.com/84141/john-mccain-not-so-mavericky-anymore

This comes as a great shock to everyone, I'm sure. :)

[specsaregood]

HAH, Dr. Paul is almost off the chart.

[amy31416]

HAH, Dr. Paul is almost off the chart.

They had to expand the x-axis past 3 just for our guy. :)

[Bruno]

HAH, Dr. Paul is almost off the chart.

Lol. This came to mind. Insert "3" for "11".

YouTube - Spinal Tap - 11 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EbVKWCpNFhY)

[Bruno]

oops dupe

[specsaregood]

Lol. This came to mind. Insert "3" for "11".

YouTube - Spinal Tap - 11 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EbVKWCpNFhY)

Perfect.

[Mini-Me]

They had to expand the x-axis past 3 just for our guy. :)

Hahahaha, seeing that made me feel SO warm and fuzzy on the inside. :D

[BuddyRey]

Is there a Digg for this story? Sounds like natural front-page material!

[purplechoe]

http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m137/volcomjunkie209/top_gun_maverick_tom_cruise_suited1.jpg

[amy31416]

For you stats nerds, and even non-nerds, the author writes a bit about having to deal with RP's political views in his paper...the MSM smears of isolationism, etc. creep into his language (read from about page 20-22 on, if you aren't a stats nerd:

http://www.princeton.edu/~blauderd/w/Benjamin_Lauderdale/About_Me_files/PA.pdf

[catdd]

That's the difference between a real maverick and a walmart maverick. Walmart mavericks just don't hold up.

[nelsonwinters]

"though he remains among the most unpredictable in the House."

I suppose we're all a bunch of soothsayers, since most of us could predict his votes on legislation most of the time.

[mczerone]

"though he remains among the most unpredictable in the House."

I suppose we're all a bunch of soothsayers, since most of us could predict his votes on legislation most of the time.

I thinks that's a typo. He must've meant "most unpurchasable" but the auto-speller changed it. :)

[klamath]

"though he remains among the most unpredictable in the House."

I suppose we're all a bunch of soothsayers, since most of us could predict his votes on legislation most of the time.

You are so right here. Of all the politicians I pretty much can figure out how Paul will vote no matter what the vote. There is never any sudden secret lobbying that will change RP's voting pattern like all the other politicians. When you understand Paul's philosophy you KNOW how he will vote.

[silus]

Just when you thought the Maverick was gone, BOOOM! He just kills it in that last frame. The angle, the lighting...Maverick meter was off the fucking charts!!

YouTube - McCain TV Ad: "Complete The Danged Fence" (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r0lwusMxiHc)