List of Figures and Tables
About the Authors
Preface
Acknowledgments

Chapter One: Elections and Political Parties
An Examination of Elections in the United States
The Role of Elections in Democratic Theory
Modes of Elections
Implications for Representation
Definitions of “Political Party” and “Party Systems”
Conclusion
Critical Thinking Questions | Key Terms

Chapter Two: American Political Parties and Party Organization
The Development of American Political Parties
The First Party System
The Second Party System
The Third Party System
The Fourth Party System
The Fifth Party System
A Sixth Party System—Yes, But Defined How?
The Modern Party Organization
Local and County Organizations
State Party Organizations
Party Organization at the National Level
Critical Thinking Questions | Key Terms

Chapter Three: Voting and Other Forms of Political Participation
Who Votes; Who Doesn’t
Expansion of the Franchise
Decline in Voter Participation
Voters in Presidential Elections
Models of Voting Behavior: The American Voter
Critics of the American Voter Model
Presidential Voting Reviewed
Voters in Congressional, Senatorial, and State and Local Elections
Voting Behavior Theory Revisited
Voting in the Real World
Critical Thinking Questions | Key Terms

Chapter Four: Organized Groups in the Political Process
Organized Groups in American Politics
Political and Nonpolitical Associations
Politically Active Groups
Electoral Activities of Organized Groups
Working within the Party
Group Ratings
Political Action Committees
Interest Groups’ Influence on their Members
Critical Thinking Questions | Key Terms

Chapter Five: Campaign Finance
The Long History of Campaign Finance Reform
The Climate for Reform
The Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 and Efforts at Amendment
Buckley v. Valeo, 424 U.S. 1 (1976) and Its Impact
The Seven-Year Battle for McCain-Feingold and Its Demise
The Costs of Democracy and Who Pays for It
The Costs
Sources of Campaign Funds
Campaign Finance in a Post–Citizens United and Post-McCutcheon World
Critical Thinking Questions | Key Terms

Chapter Six: State and Local Nominations
Political Context and Politicians’ Decisions to Run
Development of the Direct Primary System
Primaries as a Response to One-Party Domination
Primaries as an Item on the Progressive Agenda
Varieties of Primaries
Who May Run
Who May Vote
Who Wins
The Politics of Nominations
Uncontested Nominations
Contested Nominations
Conclusion
Critical Thinking Questions | Key Terms

Chapter Seven: State and Local Elections
The Conventional Wisdom: Old versus New Politics
The New Politics: Campaigning in a Media Age
Redistricting and Reapportionment
The Role of Political Parties
The Role of Organized Groups
Media Politics
The Candidate’s Personal Organization
The Structure of a Modern Campaign
Old-Style Politics: A More Prominent Role for Parties
Reexamination of the Role of Political Parties
Local Campaigns in the Absence of Party
Do Campaigns Determine Who Wins Elections?
Lack of Competition in American Elections
Incumbent Advantage in US House and State Legislative Races
Competition in US Senate and Gubernatorial Races
Credible Competition in American Elections
Third Parties in State and Local Elections
Conclusion
Critical Thinking Questions | Key Terms
Chapter Eight: Presidential Nominations
The Post-1968 Reforms
The McGovern-Fraser Commission
The 1972 Nomination
The Reform Movement: An Assessment
Twenty-First-Century Presidential Nominations
Strategic Considerations in the Contests for Nominations
The Political Calendar
The Rules of the Game
Strategic Use of Campaign Resources
Evaluating Nominating Campaigns
The Conventions
Credentials Challenges
Rules Disputes
Party Platforms
Vice Presidential Nominations
An Evaluation of the Conventions
The Presidential Nominating Process as It Stands
Critical Thinking Questions | Key Terms

Chapter Nine: Presidential Elections
From the Convention to the General Election
Organizing for the General Election
Structuring the Campaign Organization
Functions of a Presidential Campaign Organization
Setting a Campaign Strategy
Strategies for the General Election
Geographic Determinations
Coalition Strategies
Issue Strategies
The Strategic Use of Incumbency
Tactics for the General Election
Tactical Considerations of Where to Go
Tactical Considerations of Media Use
Tactical Considerations of Image Establishment
The Tactics of Presidential Debates
Third-Party Candidates in Presidential Elections
The All-Consuming Nature of a Presidential Campaign
Critical Thinking Questions | Key Terms

Chapter Ten: The Media and the Electoral Process
The Media in the Contemporary Context
Free or Earned Media: Journalists’ Presentations of Candidates and Campaigns
The Varieties of Free Media
The Role of the Free/Earned Media
The Actual Role That the Media Play
An Assessment of the Role of Free Media
Paid Media: The Candidate Provides the Message
Types of Paid Media
Controversies Caused by the Use of Paid Media
Impact of Paid Media on Election Campaigns
An Uneasy yet Necessary Relationship in Transition
Critical Thinking Questions | Key Terms

Chapter Eleven: Party in Government
Theoretical and Historical Context: Is Strong Party Government Possible in the United States?
Measuring Party Strength in Congress
Party Organization in Congress: The Leadership Hierarchy in the House and Senate
House Leadership
Senate Leadership
The President as Leader of Party in Government
Critical Thinking Questions | Key Terms

Chapter Twelve: The Role of Political Parties
The Role of Elections
The Context of Federalism
Voters, Parties, and Elections
The Electronic Revolution: Television and Digital Media
The Parties in the Modern Election
Parties’ Appeal to the Electorate
The Tone of Twenty-First-Century Politics
Concluding Remarks
Critical Thinking Questions

Glossary
References
Credits
Index