The following is an example of a valence issue.

The following is an example of a valence issue.

• A. Richard Nixon being more supportive of anticrime measures than his rival.
• B. All of these choices are true.
• C. Jimmy Carter appearing to favor honesty in government more than his opponent.
• D. Ronald Reagan being more closely identified with a strong economy than his opponent.

Answer: (B)

Valence issues focus on broad, shared goals and voters judge candidates by who can best deliver those outcomes, not by debating specific policy prescriptions. Each example highlights a candidate as having an edge in attaining a widely valued result: crime reduction, honesty in government, and a strong economy. These are about perceived competence to achieve the outcome, rather than about advocating a particular method to get there. Because all three illustrate the same idea, the overall correct takeaway is that every example shown reflects a valence issue.

Valence issues focus on broad, shared goals and voters judge candidates by who can best deliver those outcomes, not by debating specific policy prescriptions. Each example highlights a candidate as having an edge in attaining a widely valued result: crime reduction, honesty in government, and a strong economy. These are about perceived competence to achieve the outcome, rather than about advocating a particular method to get there. Because all three illustrate the same idea, the overall correct takeaway is that every example shown reflects a valence issue.