Author Question: What is the role of momentum in presidential nominating contests?How have the effects and ... (Read 46 times)

torybrooks · **on:** Jul 9, 2018

What is the role of momentum in presidential nominating contests?How have the effects and significance of this phenomenon been illustrated in the conduct of American elections?Have there been any exceptions? Illustrate your claims with examples.

What will be an ideal response?

Question 2

What is suggested by the conversation that President Clinton had with one of his top advisors Dick Morris in 1996 as Clinton was cruising to reelection?

A)Concerns about legacy are directly related to election strategy.
B)Questions of governance are distinct from questions of legacy.
C)Concerns about legacy intermingle with questions of governance.
D)Questions of legacy have no effect on governance.

l.stuut · **Reply #1 on:** Jul 9, 2018

Answer to Question 1

The ideal answer should:
a. Define momentum as a feature of presidential primaries that helps the chances of early winners and hurts those of early losers.
b. Explain the logic of momentum, noting how early wins, while not guaranteeing a nomination, often burnish the image of a candidate as a front-runner, which can increase enthusiasm, media coverage, the commitment of volunteers, and incentives of donors to contribute money to a candidate's campaign.
c. Demonstrate how Rudy Giuliani's decision to skip the early nominating contests in favor of the larger delegate pool in Florida contributed to an erosion of his standings in race and led to his early defeat in spite of his being considered an early front-runner.
d. Discuss how the primary campaigns of either Barack Obama (2008 ) or Mitt Romney (2012 ) illustrated that winning early races and momentum do not guarantee an early nomination victory.

Answer to Question 2

C