Book Notice

Claiming the Mantle: How Presidential Nominations Are Won and Lost Before the Votes Are Cast

by R. Lawrence Butler

Westview Press, 2004

Claiming the Mantle details the formal and informal process of selecting presidential nominees. Author R. Lawrence Butler argues that changes to the presidential nomination process designed for greater democratization have come full circle. Once again, nominees are chosen by party bosses, in most instances before the first votes are cast in Iowa and New Hampshire. The compression and front-loading of the primary process, combined with the campaign finance system, make it impossible for anyone else to capitalize on early momentum,. The only real difference between the present system and the days of party bosses in smoke-filled rooms is who does the choosing. In addition to party leaders, the fundraisers, political consultants, interest group leaders, and party activists in key states choose a party's nominee for president.

The book is one of a series titled "Dilemmas in American Politics" published by Westview.

from the publisher