Selecting a President (Fundamentals of American Government)
By the time most voters in the U.S. get into the voting booth to elect a president, many crucial decisions have already been made with or without their participation. This guide offers information on the complete process, from the Iowa caucuses to the inauguration. Veteran political reporter Clift and policy analyst Spieler offer details on the election cycle, from the primaries through the party nominating conventions, from the counting of the popular vote to the pledging of delegates to the Electoral College. They detail the two-year process that begins with exploratory committees formed two years into a president’s term and just after the midterm elections as prospective candidates begin to gauge the political climate and their chances. The book ends with the contest on a Tuesday in early November every four years. Along the way, Clift and Spieler offer historical perspective on the role of alternative parties, variations on primary election rules from state to state, campaign financing, and the controversies surrounding recent elections. Given that we’re already in primary season, this is not the best-timed resource, but it is still valuable. --Vanessa Bush