The Race for the White House from Reagan to Clinton

"The Race for the White House from Reagan to Clinton provides an overview of the process for selecting presidential candidates and electing the president. Terminology will be explained and the path from the so-called 'invisible primary', through the primaries and caucuses, the national party conventions, the fall campaign, and the voting of the Electoral College will be outlined. Each of the elections between 1980 and 1996 - Reagan through Clinton - is carefully studied by author Anthony Bennett. Each chapter offers a narrative of both the nomination races and the general election campaigns, as well as offer analysis of the way people voted and why. These five elections offer insights into types of election - two in which incumbents were defeated (1980 and 1992), two in which incumbents were re-elected (1984 and 1996), and one in which no incumbent was standing (1988). The book also looks back over the five elections and explain how the nomination and election processes changed during this period. It shows how that the process, especially in terms of nominations, has become more democratic - with more people participating in a more open system - but less efficient in testing the qualities and skills needed to be a successful president"--