- published: 26 Nov 2012
- views: 13639
The incumbent is the current holder of a political office. This term is usually used in reference to elections, in which races can often be defined as being between an incumbent and non-incumbent(s). For example, in the 2012 United States presidential election, Barack Obama was the incumbent, because he had been the president in the previous term while the election sought to determine the president for the current term. A race without an incumbent is referred to as an open seat.
The word "incumbent" is derived from the Latin verb incumbere, literally meaning "to lean or lay upon" with the present participle stem incumbent-, "leaning a variant of encumber, while encumber is derived from the root cumber, most appropriately defined: "To occupy obstructively or inconveniently; to block fill up with what hinders freedom of motion or action; to burden, load."
In general, incumbents have structural advantages over challengers during elections. The timing of elections may be determined by the incumbent instead of a set schedule. For most political offices, the incumbent often has more name recognition due to their previous work in the office. Incumbents also have easier access to campaign finance, as well as government resources (such as the franking privilege) that can be indirectly used to boost a campaign. An election (especially for a legislature) in which no incumbent is running is often called an open seat; because of the lack of incumbency advantage, these are often amongst the most hotly contested races in any election.
If you rely on what your senses tell you
You'll be let down, 'cause
Sometimes they deceive you
I sensed that you cared about me
But it was hallucinatory
I was in a euphoric state
What a mistake
Chorus
Love is senseless as any other sense
It's a dangerous missile from which
There's no defense
You can't understand it 'cause you don't have the mind
You're better off uncombined
Than combined with a friend who betrays your frail trust
Combined with a love who soon becomes to someone else's lust
Combined with a priest who doesn't know what he believes
Stay uncombined 'lest you be stuck with one of these
You can rely on someone else's judgement
But that's not that wise 'cause
We've all got our own eyes
I judged that your innocence
Was your best form of defense
Then I found out the judge was on the take
What a mistake
Chorus
Than combined with a teacher who resents you 'cause your young
Combined with a parent who resents you 'cause you have fun
Combined with a girl who's always got what she wants
Combined with a boy who hasn't yet--stay away from these
Who will betray you, you wouldn't pay you
To be yourself
And when they lay in fields to retire you
Who will take of their help? (I think these lines are wrong. --w.)
I can't relate just how unimportant
All the important things are
'cause when your heart is open
It closes with a scar
I know that you can hear me
And you don't like what I'm saying
There's no trusting just for trusting's sake
What a mistake
Chorus
Than combined with a leader who never takes a stand
Combined with a dream when no one else gives a damn
Combined with a lifestyle that soon makes you it's slave
Combined with anything at all
Combined with a child that always must come first
Combined with a cure that just makes the sickness worse
Combined with a wife who you can never please
Stay uncombined lest you be stuck with one of these
You can maintain your defensive shelter
But it will be smashed down