Claiming The Mantle

Claiming the Mantle details the formal and informal process of selecting presidential nominees. The core argument of the book is that changes in the presidential nomination process designed for greater democratization have come full circle. Presidential nominees, once again, are chosen by party bosses, in most instances before the first votes are cast in Iowa and New Hampshire. Whichever candidate claims the mantle of frontrunner early in the campaign always wins because 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 the identity of the choosers. In addition to party leaders, the fundraisers, political consultants, interest group leaders, and party activists in key states are the ones who choose a party's nominee for President. In order to make its case, the book describes both the formal and informal processes by which nominees are selected. It will draw on numerous examples from the 2004 Democratic nomination in discussing the informal process.
The author also explains the outcomes of every contested presidential nomination contest since 1976.