Kingdon's Causes of the Government Agenda and the Specification of Policy Alternatives

Kingdon examines the causes of the government agenda (what subjects are considered) and the specification of policy alternatives. Binder explains the motivations of one Senator to resist his own party’s legislation. After reading both articles, please take three to five sentences to respond to one question (identify which)?
1. Kingdon discusses three influences on issue prominence on an agenda: problems, politics, and visible participants. Which of these do you think is most important in general for putting an issue high on the policymaking agenda? Are there other influences?
2. Kingdon says “The combination of national mood and elections is a more potent agenda setter than organized interests.” Do you agree with this statement? If not, what counterexamples might be relevant?
3. At what point in time in an electoral democracy would one expect the most opportunities for new policy, in Kingdon’s terms “open policy windows”? How might businesses use this knowledge?
4. In Binder’s article, Senator Joe Manchin suggests the filibuster (which is a Senate requiring 60 votes, rather than a mere majority of 51, to end debate and have a vote on most issues) protects the interests of the voters he represents. Do you agree with Manchin on this point?