Synopses & Reviews
In the past quarter century, presidential nominating contests have become as exciting as the presidential election. The mass media devote more time, space, and staff to cover the presidential primaries and Iowa caucuses than the general election itself. Each week from late February to early June, the TV networks headline these contests, expecially in the challenging party. The stakes are high, for the winner of these contests will invariably be the party nominee. This sourcebook provides the reader with a comprehensive and convenient resource for following and understanding the presidential primary and the three or four-tier caucus-convention system used throughout the 50 states to send delegates to the quadrennial national nominating conventions. Historical perspectives as well as precedents are documented. Statistical tables and a glossary of terms provide helpful tools for augmenting the reader's understanding.
Synopsis
A comprehensive sourcebook on the presidential primary and the three- or four-tier caucus-convention system used throughout the 50 states to select delegates to the quadrennial national nominating conventions.
Description
Includes bibliographical references (p. [275]-281) and index.
Table of Contents
Preface
Presidential Nominations--American Style
History of Presidential Nominations (1789-1968)
Party Reform
Presidential Primaries in the Post Reform Era (1972-1996)
The Caucus-Convention System
National Convention Delegate Selection Before and After McGovern-Frazer Reforms
Who Are the Delegates?
Nominating Strategies
Nominating Finance
Supreme Court Decisions and Presidential Nominations
Primaries, Caucuses, and the Mass Media
Primary Debates
Polls and Primaries
Voter Participation in Primaries and Caucuses
Proposed National Primary
Regional Primaries
National Preprimary Convention Plan
National Nominating Convention
Presidential Nominations: The Perot Model
Appendix A: 1992 and 1996 Republican and Democratic Primary Vote
Appendix B: Glossary
Selected Bibliography
Index