Introduction
Coffey, Green and Cohen
I

Why So Polarized?

Why American Political Parties Can’t Get Beyond the Left-Right Divide (Edward G. Carmines, Indiana University, Michael J. Ensley, Kent State University, Michael W. Wagner, University of Wisconsin). American Electorate: Explaining Polarization in Feeling Thermometer Ratings of the Parties (Alan Abramowitz, Emory University) Political Identity and Party Polarization in the American Electorate (David C. Kimball, Bryce Summary, and Eric C. Vorst, University of Missouri-St. Louis) The End of the Two-Tiered Electoral System (William G. Mayer, Northeastern University)
II

Elite Polarization

Congressional Polarization and Presidential-House Election Results (Jeffrey M. Stonecash, Syracuse University) Congress: Partisan, Polarized, Yet Not Dysfunctional? William F. Connelly, Jr., Washington and Lee University Two Parties Divided by a Common Language? Regional Sources of Partisan Disagreement (Daniel J. Coffey, University of Akron) Party Polarization in America’s State Legislatures (Boris Shor, University of Chicago, Harris School)


III

The 2012 Presidential Election

The Role of Rules in the 2012 Presidential Nominations (Caitlin E. Jewitt, Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis)Kingmakers or Cheerleaders? Party Power and the Causal Effects of Endorsements (Thad Kousser, University of California, San Diego, Seth Masket, University of Denver, and Eric McGhee, Public Policy Institute of California)The Ground Game from the Voter’s Perspective: 2012 and Before (Paul A. Beck, The Ohio State University and Erik Heidemann, Kent State University)
IV

The Tea Party and the 2012 Election

The Tea Party and the 2012 Election Ronald Rapoport, College of William and Mary, Meredith Dost, College of William and Mary, and Walter Stone, University of California, Davis) The Divided Republicans: Tea Party Supporters, Establishment Republicans, and the Role of Social Networking Media in Driving Polarization (Peter L. Francia and Jonathan S. Morris, East Carolina University) Who Needs Enemies? The Tea Party Impact on the Republican Party (William J. Miller, Flagler College and Michael John Burton, Ohio University)

V

Campaign Finance

The Changing Role of Hill Committees in the Age of Super PACS (Diana Dwyre, California State University, Chico and Robin Kolodny, Temple University) Towards a Typology of Super PACs: Candidate, Party or Group Centered? (David B. Magleby, Brigham Young University) The Importance of Building a Donor Network in the Presidential Primary: Lessons Learned by the 2012 Republicans (Dante Scala, University of New Hampshire)

VI

State and Local Parties

Changes in Local Party Structure and Activity, 1980-2010 (Douglas D. Roscoe and Shannon Jenkins, University of Massachusetts, Dartmouth)Separated We Stand? The Impact of Ideological Sorting on Local Party Dynamics (Daniel M. Shea, Colby College) Mahoning Democrats