Hunter Rendleman, a political scientist at UC Berkeley, delves into the relationship between good policy and electoral success. He discusses the Earned Income Tax Credit’s role in alleviating poverty and how this impacts voter behavior. The conversation explores voter sophistication and perceptions of policies, revealing that citizens can reward political leaders for beneficial initiatives, even when credit attribution is complex. Additionally, Rendleman highlights challenges in political representation and academic publishing, making for a thought-provoking discussion.