Having sent the nation's young men to war in Iraq, the Bush team was counting on wrapping the flag around the incumbent.
Tragic events can sometimes bolster support for the incumbent president because of a rally-around-the-flag effect, but the impact is usually short-lasting.
In general, the historical experience is that unexpected foreign policy crises are more likely to move the polls in favor of the incumbent in the immediate term — the rally-around-the-flag effect.
The incumbent, Ahmad Tejan Kabbah, was stepping down, and the strongest contender for the presidency was the flag bearer of the governing Sierra Leone People's Party, Vice Pres.
In the end, if this does prove to be a message to incumbents -- evidence that anger sells, particularly when it is directed at incumbents -- the result could well end up being seen as a cautionary flag for Mr. Bush.
The incumbent Carter had jumped to an early lead, mainly thanks to the "rally 'round the flag" effect of the Iran Hostage Crisis.
Would it be right for me to move to California and demand that they take the bear off their flag?" The flag emerged as a key issue in Mr. Perdue's upset of the incumbent governor, Roy Barnes, a Democrat.
The incumbent, whether guilty or innocent of the charges, is distracted and under a cloud, and surely unable to carry the flag firmly and high for Ward 5 while he plans his defense.
