The Party Decides: Presidential Nominations Before and After Reform (Chicago Studies in American Politics)

Throughout the contest for the 2008 Democratic presidential nomination, politicians and voters alike worried that the outcome might depend on the preferences of unelected superdelegates. This concern threw into relief the prevailing notion that—such unusually competitive cases notwithstanding—people, rather than parties, should and do control presidential nominations. But for the past several decades, __The Party Decides__ shows, unelected insiders in both major parties have effectively selected candidates long before citizens reached the ballot box. Tracing the evolution of presidential nominations since the 1790s, this volume demonstrates how party insiders have sought since America’s founding to control nominations as a means of getting what they want from government. Contrary to the common view that the party reforms of the 1970s gave voters more power, the authors contend that the most consequential contests remain the candidates’ fights for prominent endorsements and the support of various interest groups and state party leaders. These invisible primaries produce frontrunners long before most voters start paying attention, profoundly influencing final election outcomes and investing parties with far more nominating power than is generally recognized.

throughout The Contest For The 2008 Democratic Presidential Nomination, Politicians And Voters Alike Worried That The Outcome Might Depend On The Preferences Of Unelected Superdelegates. This Concern Threw Into Relief The Prevailing Notion That—such Unusually Competitive Cases Notwithstanding—people, Rather Than Parties, Should And Do Control Presidential Nominations. But For The Past Several Decades, the Party Decides Shows, Unelected Insiders In Both Major Parties Have Effectively Selected Candidates Long Before Citizens Reached The Ballot Box.
Tracing The Evolution Of Presidential Nominations Since The 1790s, This Volume Demonstrates How Party Insiders Have Sought Since America’s Founding To Control Nominations As A Means Of Getting What They Want From Government. Contrary To The Common View That The Party Reforms Of The 1970s Gave Voters More Power, The Authors Contend That The Most Consequential Contests Remain The Candidates’ Fights For Prominent Endorsements And The Support Of Various Interest Groups And State Party Leaders. These Invisible Primaries Produce Frontrunners Long Before Most Voters Start Paying Attention, Profoundly Influencing Final Election Outcomes And Investing Parties With Far More Nominating Power Than Is Generally Recognized.

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the Authors Make Their Cases Effectively Through The Use Of A Number Of Insightful Analogies And Creative Use Of Empirical Data. The Book Is A Treasure Trove Of Historical Information On Nomination Battles.

Throughout the contest for the 2008 Democratic presidential nomination, politicians and voters alike worried that the outcome might depend on the preferences of unelected superdelegates. This concern threw into relief the prevailing notion that—such unusually competitive cases notwithstanding—people, rather than parties, should and do control presidential nominations. But for the past several decades, The Party Decides shows, unelected insiders in both major parties have effectively selected candidates long before citizens reached the ballot box.

Tracing the evolution of presidential nominations since the 1790s, this volume demonstrates how party insiders have sought since America’s founding to control nominations as a means of getting what they want from government. Contrary to the common view that the party reforms of the 1970s gave voters more power, the authors contend that the most consequential contests remain the candidates’ fights for prominent endorsements and the support of various interest groups and state party leaders. These invisible primaries produce frontrunners long before most voters start paying attention, profoundly influencing final election outcomes and investing parties with far more nominating power than is generally recognized.

This volume demonstrates how party insiders from America's founding to the present day have sought to control presidential nominations as a meanns of getting what they want from government. Contrary to the common view that the reforms of the 1970s wrested power away from parties, the authors contend that the most consequential contests remain candidates' fights for prominent endorsements and the support of various interest groups, activists, and party leaders. These invisible primaries, the authors show, produce front-runners and profoundly influence final election outcomes long before most voters even begin to pay attention. -- from back cover Contents 8 Acknowledgments 10 1 The Outrageous Nomination of Hubert Humphrey 14 2 Whose Parties? 32 3 The Creation of New Parties 60 4 Weak Structures, Strong Parties 94 5 Last Hurrahs of the Old System 120 Appendix to Chapter 5: State Parties in 1952 160 6 Mastering the Postreform System 170 Appendix to Chapter 6: A Closer Look at the Endorsement Data 192 7 The Invisible Primary: Theory and Evidence 200 8 Anatomy of a Conversation 248 Appendix to Chapter 8: Models of the Invisible Primary 278 9 The Voters Weigh In 290 Appendix to Chapter 9: Models of Delegate Share 324 10 Political Parties Today 346 Notes 378 References 392 Index 408