The Road to the White House by Stephen J.Wayne
Its about the politics of Presidential Elections, printed by St.Martins press.
This is one very informative book and much needed by people who want
To understand the means and methods and things involved in the Road
To the White House. I am giving below some of the chapters and
And some brief points contained in them in my own words as follows :
1) Historical Overview.
The framers of constitution wanted a system that would choose a qualified
but not necessarily the most popular person. Electoral college evolved.
Electors to be selected by state in a manner designated by state legislatures.
The original plan was person receiving majority of votes cast by electoral
college was elected a president.
Second highest vote was elected as vice president, if no majority then the
House of representatives would choose among 5 candidates with the most
Electoral votes.
The nomination system : 2 party system started evolving due to partisan
Alliances developed party's 'KING CAUCUS' started nominating
Party presidential candidates, giving way to national republicans and
democrats republicans. Then Republican became the only party which split
Into 2 groups in 1830.
The growth of the party organization at state and local levels affected the
nomination system. National nominating conventions came up, Democrats
and Republicans started holding national nominating conventions for
Delegates selection procedures for conducting conventions, policy statements
and the nominees.
The public demand to elect convention Delegates increased , Florida 1st
Statewide vote held to elect convention Delegates, In 1996 37 primaries were
held by Democratic party in which 83% of Delegates chosen from the primariy
State. 41 primaries were held by Republican party with 85% delegates chosen
from the primiry State. Primaries became decisive in selection of nominees
for presidents.
General Elections.
Electors were chosen on a statewide basis by popular vote which supported
A winner-take-all system. The 1st Amendment to reform voting procedures in
the electoral college was enacted in 1804 . The 12th amendment provided for seperate voting for president and vice president.
Many leaders of populare vote won majority of electoral college vote. Ross Perot
received 19.7 million popular votes but no electoral votes.
The electoral college works to the advantage of the majority, Bill Clinton
received only 43% popular votes but 69% electoral vote.
ELECTORAL COLLEGE
Each state has a vote in electoral college equal to the number of its representative
plus 2. this means washington has 11, nevada 4, california 54, utah, 5, arizona 8
florida 25, new yourk 33, illinoise 22, pennsylvania 23, texas 32,michigan 18, ohaio 23 north carolina 14 , new jersey 15 and others such like. the votes are almost always cast enbloc only 23.75 of eligible population voted for Bill Clinton in 1992.
Campaign Finance
1988 500 million was spent by major party candidates in their quest for
nomiation and elections.
Sources of support
sizeable private gifts are principal source of party and the candidate support upto 1970. Republicans benefited more than democrats from the fat cat contributors.
The Finance Legislation
Explained about 40 pages in the book also topics like voters turnout, expansion
of the suffarage, a model of u.s.voters, partisan voting patterns, evolving political
coalitions.
WORKING OF IOWA CACUS: DEMOCRATS
Feb : Caucuses are held in 2166 precincts to choose 1500 delegates
to 99 county conventions.
Mar : Conventions are held in counties to choose 3000 delegates for
6 congressional districts.
May : Conventions are held in congressional districs to elect district level delegates to national and state conventions.
June : State conventions elect at large delegates to national party conventions.
There are chapters on party organization and leadership , party rules
Topics are also present on Monitoring public opinion, design an appeal for
Candidate George Bush and Clinton strategy discussed. What is considered in
drafting platforms strategies and tactics.
Media Politics
The election is reported in the conceptual framework of a game by media
The candidates are treated as players and their moves are seen as strategies to
achieve their goals , which is to win !!!.
Everything including policy postions are evaluated as a game schema by the press.
during 1980 elections 5 out of 6 stories in the major news networks emphasized the
competition schema. Media is interested in coverage of pictures, mistakes and attacks.
Role of soft news
This Morning, Good Morning America, Today, Phil Donahue Show, Larry King Live, Arsenio Hall Show, Presidential Debates, Advertisements, Public opinion polls, Television Forcasts.
There are some chapters discussing the need and steps to improve the system and
enhancing the electoral choice.
Now dont ever again say, I dont know How things are done in presidential elections. My review please remember will go wasted.
