Overview

A political junkie’s guide to the 2020 presidential race This book will be the sixth entry into a series that has examined the presidential nomination process since 1996. Drawing on the newest political science research, it presents all of the systematic aspects of the nomination campaign: party rules, fundraising, media attention, voter coalitions, and more, with the added drama of the most fascinating candidate of the modern era: Donald Trump. The Making of the Presidential Candidates 2020 will be valuable for college courses at all levels as well as practitioners and journalists who want to understand the fundamental forces that shape nomination campaigns in the modern era.

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9781538131077

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Reviews

Every four years the US ends up with two major candidates for president. This book explains the various hurdles that all candidates must jump in order to become one of the final two. First there is the coalition, and the need to draw on and preserve that coalition; party elites and activists try to secure a candidate who can win and who represents the principles of various factions. Female candidates have to respond to the masculine norms established by past presidents. Elaborate party rules about how delegate support is earned must be heeded. Likewise norms of media coverage: reporters are intrigued by the new but often tire of a candidate, and the degree of interest shapes the patterns of coverage. Straw polls are conducted, and these affect how possible candidates are seen. Money must be raised--an enormous task--because campaigns are expensive to maintain and candidates must continually demonstrate that they have sufficient donor support. Lastly, candidates must secure votes in party primaries and try to determine who their supporters are so they can shape their general election message accordingly. By way of illustration, the book analyzes the 2016 primaries, looking at how Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton won their party nominations. An excellent and accessible discussion. Summing Up: Recommended. All readers.--CHOICE

Every four years the US ends up with two major candidates for president. This book explains the various hurdles that all candidates must jump in order to become one of the final two. First there is the coalition, and the need to draw on and preserve that coalition; party elites and activists try to secure a candidate who can win and who represents the principles of various factions. Female candidates have to respond to the masculine norms established by past presidents. Elaborate party rules about how delegate support is earned must be heeded. Likewise norms of media coverage: reporters are intrigued by the new but often tire of a candidate, and the degree of interest shapes the patterns of coverage. Straw polls are conducted, and these affect how possible candidates are seen. Money must be raised--an enormous task--because campaigns are expensive to maintain and candidates must continually demonstrate that they have sufficient donor support. Lastly, candidates must secure votes in party primaries and try to determine who their supporters are so they can shape their general election message accordingly. By way of illustration, the book analyzes the 2016 primaries, looking at how Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton won their party nominations. An excellent and accessible discussion. Summing Up: Recommended. All readers.-- Choice Reviews

Author Information

Jonathan Bernstein is a columnist for Bloomberg View. He received his Ph.D. in Political Science from the University of California, Berkeley, in 1999, and was previously an Assistant Professor of Political Science at the University of Texas at San Antonio. His research is in political parties, the presidency, and democracy He was co-editor of The Making of the Presidential Candidates 2012. Casey B. K. Dominguez is an Associate Professor of Political Science at the University of San Diego. She received her Ph.D. in Political Science from the University of California, Berkeley, in 2005. Her research specialties are congressional elections, political parties, and the presidency. Dr. Dominguez has published articles on presidential elections, the presidential honeymoon, and party involvement in congressional primaries. Her ongoing research focuses on the development of presidential war powers and on the relationships between political parties and interest groups.

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