Primary Politics: How Presidential Candidates Have Shaped the Modern Nominating System
The nominating process is the best vehicle we have to energize old and new voters every four years. Kamarck deftly chronicles its evolution and brings a sometimes arcane process vividly to life.--Donna Brazile, Democratic political strategistElaine Kamarck knows more about the Democratic party presidential primary process than anyone. She divulges all the state secrets here, in a delightful manner. This book is vital for all of us who detest the process but love the game.--Joe Klein,TimemagazineWhat do you get if you blend a scholar's precision, a journalist's eye for detail, and a participant's fascination with politics? You get an eye-opening account of how the decades-long shifts in the rules of the presidential primary game powerfully affected who won and who lost. Indeed, if you want to know why Barack Obama is now in the White House, there's no better place to find out than Elaine Kamarck's invaluable book.--Jeff Greenfield, CBS NewsKamarck has written the untold story of why we nominate presidents as we do. Citizens will be intrigued, political professionals will learn much they didn't know, and anyone who hopes to run for president should start with this book.--Ken Bode, formerly with NBC NewsInPrimary Politics, Elaine Kamarck goes looking for the hidden struggle among major presidential candidates and key state politicians that has reconstituted the process of presidential selection in our time. The result is essential reading for those who would understand the arrangements we saw in 2008—and will see in 2012.--Byron Shafer, University of WisconsinKamarck shows how the modern nomination system has been created by four decades of Republican and Democratic presidential hopefuls. Even those of us who have spent many years in presidential politics will discover something new. --James Pinkerton, Fox News and New America Foundation