The first primary : New Hampshire's outsize role in presidential nominations

Since 1952, the primary election in a small, not very diverse New England state has had a disproportionate impact on the U.S. presidential nomination process and the ensuing general election. Although just a handful of delegates are at stake, the New Hampshire primary has become a massive media event and a reasonably reliable predictor of a campaign's ultimate success or failure. In The First Primary, Moore and Smith offer a comprehensive history of the state's primary, an analysis of its media coverage and impact, and a description of the New Hampshire electorate, along with a discussion of how that electorate reflects or diverges from national opinions on candidates and issues. A book for political scientists and political junkies, media and policy professionals, and all students of American government, The First Primary ably fills the gaps in our understanding of New Hampshire's outsize role in the nomination process. -- Amazon.com Title Page 4 Table of Contents 6 Preface 8 Acknowledgments 12 1 | Importance of the New Hampshire Primary 16 2 | Getting the Inside Track 25 3 | Keeping the Inside Track 40 4 | History of the New Hampshire Primaryprior to Party Reforms 63 5 | History of the New Hampshire Primary Contests 89 6 | The 1990s and Beyond 116 7 | A Demographic and Political Profileof New Hampshire 157 8 | Who Votes? 179 9 | Myths about New Hampshire and the Primary 198 10 | The Cracked Crystal Ball 219 11 | Future of the New Hampshire Primary 236 Appendix. New Hampshire Primary Election Results since 1952 248 Notes 272 Index 292