The Best Candidate
Presidential Nomination in Polarized Times

Leading scholars examine the law governing the American presidential nomination process and offer practical ideas for reform.

Eugene D. Mazo (Edited by), Michael R. Dimino (Edited by)

9781108835398, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 17 September 2020

414 pages
23.5 x 16 x 3 cm, 0.8 kg

'Brilliant and wide-ranging, this work is a must read.' Franita Tolson, Professor of Law and Vice Dean for Faculty and Academic Affairs, University of Southern California Gould School of Law

The way American citizens elect a president in November is enshrined in the Constitution and has remained unchanged for two hundred years. By contrast, the rules by which American political parties nominate their presidential candidates have evolved dramatically over time. In recent years, these byzantine rules have allowed a number of unexpected candidates to win their party's presidential nomination. In The Best Candidate, a roster of leading election law scholars from across the political spectrum - true-blue Democrats, die-hard Republicans, and everyone in between - illuminate the law behind the modern presidential nomination process and offer ideas for how it can be improved. This book offers a blueprint for how American voters and their parties could nominate the best candidate for the presidency, and it should be read by anyone who cares about the occupant of the Oval Office.

1. Presidential selection: historical, institutional, and democratic perspectives James A. Gardner
2. The historical development of the U.S. presidential nomination process Richard H. Pildes
3. Constitutional law and the presidential nomination process Richard Briffault
4. Winnowing and endorsing: separating the two distinct functions of party primaries Edward B. Foley
5. Simplying presidential primaries Derek T. Muller
6. The case for standardizing primary voter eligibility rules Michael R. Dimino
7. Primary day: why presidential nominees should be chosen on a single day Eugene D. Mazo
8. A eulogy for caucuses Sean J. Wright
9. Floor fight: protecting the national party conventions from manipulation Michael T. Morley
10. A better financing system? The death and possible rebirth of the presidential nomination public financing program Richard Briffault
11. Campaign finance deregulation and the hyperpolarization of presidential nominations in the super PAC era Michael S. Kang
12. Democratizing the presidential debates Ann M. Ravel and Charlotte Hill
13. The impact of technology on presidential primary campaigns Anthony J. Gaughan
14. Women and the presidency Cynthia Richie Terrell
15. The nomination of presidential candidates by minor political parties Richard Winger
Chapter 16. Reforming the U.S. presidential nominating process: a curmudgeon's view Bradley A. Smit.

Subject Areas: Election law [LNDS], Central government [JPQ], Political leaders & leadership [JPHL], Elections & referenda [JPHF], Politics & government [JP]