The VP Advantage : How Running Mates Influence Home State Voting in Presidential Elections

A widespread perception exists among political commentators, campaign operatives and presidential candidates that vice presidential (VP) running mates can deliver their home state's electoral votes in a presidential election. In recent elections, presidential campaigns have even changed their strategy in response to the perceived VP home state advantage. But is the advantage real? And could it decide a presidential election? In the most comprehensive analysis to date, Devine and Kopko demonstrate that the VP home state advantage is actually highly conditional and rarely decisive in the Electoral College. However, it could change the outcome of a presidential election under narrow but plausible conditions. Sophisticated in its methodology and rich in historical as well as contemporary insight, __The VP Advantage__ is essential and accessible reading for anyone interested in understanding how running mates influence presidential elections. A Widespread Perception Exists Among Political Commentators, Campaign Operatives And Presidential Candidates That Vice Presidential (vp) Running Mates Can Deliver Their Home State's Electoral Votes In A Presidential Election. In Recent Elections, Presidential Campaigns Have Even Changed Their Strategy In Response To The Perceived Vp Home State Advantage. But Is The Advantage Real? And Could It Decide A Presidential Election? In The Most Comprehensive Analysis To Date, Devine And Kopko Demonstrate That The Vp Home State Advantage Is Actually Highly Conditional And Rarely Decisive In The Electoral College. However, It Could Change The Outcome Of A Presidential Election Under Narrow But Plausible Conditions. Sophisticated In Its Methodology And Rich In Historical As Well As Contemporary Insight, The Vp Advantage Is Essential And Accessible Reading For Anyone Interested In Understanding How Running Mates Influence Presidential Elections. Machine Generated Contents Note: 1.origins And Evolution Of The Vice Presidential Home State Advantage -- 2.the Home State Advantage Is Dead Long Live The Home State Advantage! -- 3.when Perception Becomes Campaign Reality -- 4.an Empirical Analysis Of The Vice Presidential Home State Advantage (state-level Data) -- 5.an Empirical Analysis Of The Vice Presidential Home State Advantage (individual-level Data) -- 6.did Lbj Really Deliver Texas . . . And The South? -- 7.has The Vice Presidential Home State Advantage Ever Decided An Election? -- 8.who Votes For The Running Mate, Anyway? -- 9.the Vp Advantage. Christopher J. Devine And Kyle C. Kopko. Includes Bibliographical References (pages 187-194) And Index. Political commentators, campaign operatives, and presidential candidates often believe that there is a vice presidential home state advantage in presidential elections. In recent elections, presidential campaigns have even changed their strategy in response to these perceived advantages. In this volume, Kopko and Devine demonstrate that vice presidential home state advantages are highly conditional but that a vice presidential candidate could change the outcome of a presidential election A critical look at the election process and the presidency, as well as a thorough and insightful analysis of an understudied aspect of the executive branch of government in the USA.