Party Pursuits and The Presidential-House Election Connection, 1900-2008
Cambridge University Press, 2/7/2013
EAN 9781107616752, ISBN10: 1107616751
Paperback, 232 pages, 22.8 x 15.3 x 1.2 cm
Language: English
This study proposes and assesses an alternative explanation of the changes in the relationship between presidential and House of Representatives election results during the last century. Jeffrey M. Stonecash argues that the separation of presidential and House election results that occurred from the 1960s to 1980 was a party-driven process, with both parties seeking to change their electoral base. Republicans sought a more conservative electoral base to counter what they saw as disturbing liberal trends in the nation. Democrats sought to reduce their reliance on the South and its conservativism. Presidential and House election results changed at different rates, creating an appearance that they were unconnected, but they eventually came together. Although many saw these changes in election results as evidence of parties' decline, this study reaffirms their position as central actors in bringing about change.
Part I. Election Patterns and Interpretive Frameworks
1. Disconnecting and reconnecting presidential-House election results
2. The study of presidential-House elections
3. Reconsidering conclusions
a critique
4. Explaining change
the role of party pursuits
Part II. Explaining a Changing Relationship
5. The Democratic pursuit of the North
6. Expanding the Democratic base
7. Republican and Democratic pursuits of new constituents
8. The consequences of changing electoral bases
9. Regional patterns of change
10. Realignment and converging election results
11. Party pursuits and American democracy
Appendix I. Presidential-House election data by House districts
Appendix II. The presidential-House relationship and uncontested House races
Appendix III. Alternative explanations of change.