Money, more than anything else, reinforces this status quo. They hector Social Security for constituents, navigate the Medicare bureaucracy, grab Head Start funds. Most incumbents establish well-staffed, friendly district offices and eagerly maximize their franking privileges. Camp brags that he has sent 300,000 letters during his tenure. That is enough constituents served to re-elect him twice over.
Incumbents also shovel pork furiously toward their districts.
Any year is a wonderful one to be an incumbent, but 2000 is particularly fine. It marks the end of a census cycle. Districts have been stable for five elections, so voters are familiar with their reps. According to the Cook Political Report's Walter, many strong challengers skipped the 2000 race to prepare for 2002, when redistricting will endanger some safe seats. 1992 was the last year incumbents won less than 90 percent of House races.