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Pesidential Primaries The serious academic study of the presidential p

The serious academic study of the presidential primaries has been a relatively recent phenomenon. In fact, many scholars agree that until 1972, presidential nominees were more the choice of state party leaders and insiders. The post1968 Democratic party reforms seemed to trigger the spread of presidential primaries, and by 1980, 35 state legislatures had adopted some type of primary election.1

Moreover, it is clear that some primaries are more important than others, and have been for at least the past several decades. In the New Hampshire primary, for instance, a great deal of time, energy, and money is spent that is not relative to the state's size or political clout. Since the New Hampshire primary is the first on the list, it holds the predominant position. This is not simply a matter of chronology, though, since the competitiveness of the race coupled with its media image results in a vocal contest between hopeful nominees.2

This paper will deal with a selected number of New Hampshire primaries in the attempt to establish and track three important assumptions about the presidential primary itself. First, the paper will deal with the issue of horse

1 John G. Geer, Nominating Presidents, (Westport: Greenwood Press, 1989), xi.

race versus issue in the primary and track the years 1952, 1960, 1968, 1976, and 1988 using the two major newsmagazines, Time and Newsweek. Second, the emphasis on the leading candidate will be examined in New Hampshire, and will the trends of objective coverage from 1952 to 1988. This is of important interest since the New Hampshire primary often sets the stage for both the national conventions of both parties, as well as the public's perceptions of the presidential race itself. It is also important as a tool to track the way the media presents the candidates, and as a response to the way the public behaves and why it behaves in such a way.

First, we must define the two major categor...

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Pesidential Primaries The serious academic study of the presidential p. (1969, December 31). In LotsofEssays.com. Retrieved 17:01, March 28, 2024, from https://www.lotsofessays.com/viewpaper/1703977.html