PART I THE ELECTORAL ARENA 1
1 Presidential Selection: A Historical Overview 3
Introduction 3
The Creation of the Electoral College 4
The Development of Nominating Systems 6
The Evolution of the General Election 13
The 2000 Presidential Election Controversy 17
The Politics of Electoral College Voting 23
Summary 25
Where on the Web? 27
Exercises 27
Selected Reading 28
Notes 29
2.Campaign Finance 32
Introduction 32
The Costs of Campaigning 33
The Sources of Support 36
Finance Legislation 38
The Impact of the Law 44
Summary 58
Where on the Web? 60
Exercises 61
Selected Reading 61
Notes 62
3.The Political Environment 65
Introduction 65
Turnout 66
The Partisan Basis of Politics 77
The Social Basis of Politics 83
Summary 93
Where on the Web? 94
Exercises 95
Selected Reading 95
Notes 96
Part II THE NOMINATION 101
4.The Race for Delegates 103
Introduction 103
Reforming the Nomination Process 104
The Legality of Party Rules 111
The Impact of the Rules Changes 114
Campaigning for Delegates 118
Summary 148
Where on the Web? 149
Exercises 151
Selected Reading 151
Notes 152
5 Spring Interregnum: Consolidating Victory and Posturina for the Election 159
The Noncompetitive Phase of the Nomination Campaign 159
National Nominating Conventions 164
Characteristics of the Nominees 182
Summary 184
Where on the Web? 186
Exercises 186
Selected Reading 187
Notes 187
PART III THE PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGN 191
6*Organization, Strategy, and Tactics 193
Introduction 193
Organization 197
Strategic Objectives 201
Tactical Considerations 212
Summary 217
Where on the Web? 219
Exercises 220
Selected Reading 220
Notes 221
7.Media Politics 225
Introduction 225
Traditional Coverage: Hard News 228
Nontraditional Coverage: Soft News 235
Presidential Debates 237
Campaign Advertising 245
The Cumulative Impact of the Media 257
Summary 257
Where on the Web? 259
Exercises 260
Selected Reading 260
Notes 262
PART IV THE ELECTION 267
8 Understanding Presidential Elections 269
Introduction 269
Predicting Presidential Elections 270
Interpreting the Election 278
Converting Electoral Choice into Public Policy 291
Summary 298
Where on the Web? 300
Exercises 300
Selected Reading 301
Notes 302
Reforming the Electoral System 306
Introduction 306
Modifying Recent Changes 307
Enhancing Electoral Choice 317
Summary 328
Where on the Web? 330
Exercises 331
Selected Reading 331
Notes 332