The Presidential Nominating Process: A Place for Us? (American Political Challenges) [Paperback]

Rhodes Cook (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 7, 2003 | ISBN-10: 0742525945 | ISBN-13: 978-0742525948

The sprawling nominating process is the critical first step every four years in the election of the president. It is where the field of contenders is narrowed from a plethora of aspirants to the two finalists that carry the banners of the Democratic and Republican parties into the fall campaign. In a democracy such as ours, the voters should be major players in this process. Yet while 100 million or more Americans regularly participate in the election of the president, rarely does more than a third that number vote in the presidential primaries and caucuses that nominate the candidates. And only a small percentage of these voters have a truly meaningful voice - the fortunate few in Iowa, New Hampshire and a handful of other early voting states that for all practical purposes decide for the rest of the nation who the nominees will be. The thrust of this book is to discuss how we as a nation got to this point, how the nominating process currently works, how that compares to other countries, and how our process might be changed to give a more meaningful voice to a much larger number of voters.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

As we gear up for Election 2004, veteran political analyst Cook asks a timely question: Why does the United States rely on dysfunctional presidential primaries that give such a small percentage of voters disproportionate influence in choosing the two main contenders? In his crisp appraisal of presidential nominating processes, the former Congressional Quarterly writer underscores a key paradox: although some 150 million voters are eligible to participate in state presidential primaries and caucuses, only the "kingmakers"-voters in Iowa, New Hampshire and the states that vote soon afterward-actually anoint the Democratic and Republican nominees. The overwhelming majority of voters are mere "confirmers," who ratify the kingmakers' choices midway through the primary season, or "rubber stamps," who weigh too late to make any difference. Cook surveys the evolutionary "stages" that brought voters to this point, from the Founding era's congressional caucuses to the 19th century's national party conventions to the current presidential primary scene. The "steady progression of political Darwinism" has shortchanged voters, Cook says, replacing yesterday's party bosses with today's kingmaker early birds. He scours six other countries (Great Britain, France, Germany, Canada, Mexico and Israel) for clues in their streamlined, less expensive nomination procedures and finds at least one mechanism travels well: the single nationwide primary. Though some proposals suggest national, rotating regional or population-based presidential primary, Cook concludes there is "no consensus" on reform among national and state government and party officials. Will greater numbers of voters ever play a real role in future nominating contests? That's hard to know; even the author concedes "incremental evolution wins out in the long run." Bolstered by Cook's authoritative primary election statistical analyses, this plain-speaking work delivers a concise, even-handed overview of one of the most contentious areas in contemporary American politics.
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Review

Cook is one of the true authoritative sources on the presidential nominating process. This short book is jam-packed with important information on the nominating process, placing it in both historical and comparative perspective. This truly outstanding work draws the reader into a complex web of money, primaries, and politics, offering suggestions for reform but holding out only slim hopes that the reform will either be enacted of effective. (Library Journal )

Rhodes Cook delivers an excellent, insightful, and highly readable work. Cook gives valuable historical and comparative accounts of leadership selection both in the U.S. and abroad, as well as authoritative appraisals of previous and proposed reforms, making this an indispensable book for understanding the evolution of the presidential nomination process leading to the 2004 primaries and caucuses. (Stanley, Harold W. )

Rhodes Cook's searching intelligence, his love for what is real--and local--in American politics, and his indefatigable capacity for research have made him a national resource. He has turned his gifts to a nearly impossible problem: the search for a better way to nominate our presidential candidates. This thoughtful and helpful book puts so many of his gifts on display--notably fairness, clarity, sophistication, and an admirable love for democracy and popular participation. This is an enormous contribution to a debate we have every four years, and will no doubt have again soon." (E. J. Dionne Jr. )

Terrific insights on how the leader of the free world is chosen. Read this book and you will never not vote again! (Richard Bond )

William Marcy 'Boss' Tweed once said, 'I don't care who elects them as long as I nominate them.' Tweed was right: the critical first step in presidential elections is in the maze of primaries and caucuses, and in this timely book, Rhodes Cook tells us why it starts so early and costs so much. He also shows us who has the real power in the system, how it got that way and what reforms are needed to restore some influence to the average voter. (Ken Bode )

For an awful lot of Americans, including many of us who cover the subject for a living, the nation's presidential nominating system and primaries remain a source of mystery and confusion. With his signature insight and gift for explanation, Rhodes Cook has written a political Baedeker's or Michelin--the definitive guide to understanding the nation's presidential nominating system. If you read Rhodes Cook's The Presidential Nominating Process: A Place for Us? I guarantee you will become a more informed - and maybe even a better--citizen or journalist. (Mark Shields )

A handy, well-researched guide to the nuts, bolts and history of presidential politics. (The Baltimore Sun )

Well-written and interesting book. (The Frey Report )

Concise yet illuminating. . . . This enjoyable, informative book merits consideration by undergraduate instructors and civic-minded readers alike. (Political Science Quarterly )

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 184 pages
• Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers (October 7, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0742525945
• ISBN-13: 978-0742525948
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 5.8 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.9 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,461,516 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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