John F. Bibby

Assessing Party Organizational Strength

Most research on the problem of change in the U.S. political party system relies on trends in electoral behavior to assess the condition of parties. Generally, the conclusions drawn have been pessimistic. But though voters are undeniably an important dimension of party, so too are party organizations. Inferences have been drawn concerning the relationship between electoral behavior and party organizations, but the data that would permit the determination of whether party organizations suffer as a consequence of, or in covariation with, changing patterns of party identification and voting have not been available. This article presents evidence that state party organizations have not suffered during the last two decades. The analysis reveals that party organizations have become stronger since the early 1960s, although it notes a slight decline during the decade of the 1970s. And although interparty differences over the two decades are fairly substantial-with Republican organizations stronger than Democratic organizations-the trend through the early 1970s was one of diminishing differences between the parties. Since then the Republican advantage has increased, largely as a function of a recent Democratic decline in strength. The strength of state party organizations should not be taken to indicate the condition of the party system, but neither can other dimensions of party be understood without recognition that party organizations were weaker in the decade of The American Voter than they are today.

Institutional Development of Parties and the Thesis of Party Decline

The theories by which social scientists attempt to explain complex social trends are necessarily partial and grounded upon limited expertise and particular experiences. In a disconcerting way, such theories tend to be outstripped by the pace of the change that they are designed to explain, and observation and data collecting continue to be guided by the partially outmoded theories. The recognition by scholars that events are occurring in combinations that do not conform to theory can be a wrenching experience. Economists and government decision makers are perplexed by the anomaly of recession and rising unemployment accompanied by rising interest rates and increasing inflation. This conjunction does not conform to the expectations derived from accepted economic theory. Political scientists, pushing the concept of electoral realignment to the limits of its logic and working from the methodological strength of survey and attitudinal research, have formulated and tested a theory of politics that leads them to conclude that American political parties are in steady decline and may verge upon extinction. The electorates declining commitment to party, the apparent lessened interest of activists in party organization, and the salience of personality and issue over party loyalty are indicators of party decline. This conclusion may have merit when considered in terms of the capacity of party organizations to broker presidential nominations or manage presidential campaigns. This article presents evidence supporting a contrary thesis; that is, while national parties are less involved than in the past in controlling presidential nominations,

Party Integration and Party Organizational Strength

In this article, we consider the relationship of party organizational strength and state-national party integration. Specifically, we examine the thesis that national party organizations have made an important contribution to the strengthening of state party organizations. We test the hypothesis that state party organizational strength is a function of national party organization building efforts. Finally, we conclude by speculating on the implications of different development patterns for the performance of traditional party functions and the maintenance of the existing party system.

National Party Rules and Delegate Selection in the Republican Party

The Democratic partys quadrennial exercises in reform of the delegate selection process have caused political scientists and journalists to focus their attention on the Democratic party and to ignore the character and impact of the Republican rules. While the Democrats have been going through major revisions of their rules every four years since the disastrous 1968 convention, the Republicans have followed a quite different strategy. They have sought to maintain the basic procedures and party structure which had evolved prior to the era of the McGovern-Fraser Commission, and they have directed their efforts toward supporting federal, state, and local candidates and party organizations.

Trends in Party Organizational Strength, 1960-1980:

The organizational strength, structural complexity, and program activities of American state party apparatuses have steadily been changing—for the most part growing—since 1960. Through interviews and mail questionnaires with current and former state chairpersons, executive directors, and other key leaders, information about these organizational attributes was obtained for various time points; comparisons of state-level party work patterns stressed by incumbents in key positions at earlier and later periods facilitate trend analysis. Regional analysis of trends is also undertaken.

The Road to the White House: The Politics of Presidential Elections.@@@The Presidential Contest.

Preface. About the Author. Part I: THE ELECTORAL ARENA. 1. Presidential Selection: A Historical Overview. 2. Campaign Finance. 3. The Political Environment. Part II: THE NOMINATION. 4. The Race for Delegates. 5. Spring Interregnum: Consolidating Victory and Posturing for the Election. Part III: THE CAMPAIGN. 6. Organization, Strategy, and Tactics. 7. Media Politics. Part IV: THE ELECTION. 8. Predicting Presidential Elections. 9. Reforming the Electoral System. Part V: APPENDICES. A. Results of Presidential Elections, 1900-2004. B. 2004 Electoral and Popular Vote Summary. C. 2004 Electoral Vote Distribution. D. Tentative Primary and Caucus Schedule, 2008. E. Republican and Democratic Party Conventions and Nominees, 1900-2008.

Changes in State Party Organization 1960–1980: A Preliminary Report and Request for Data

We are engaged in a study of the current and past condition of party organizations in the United States. The research examines parties within an institutional framework and seeks to measure the strength of party organizations at the national, state, and local levels. But in order to compare parties over time it is necessary to have longitudinal data. The purpose of this note is to ask interested researchers to share with us documented data on state party central committee staff and annual operating budgets or expenditures for the period 1960-1978. We would also appreciate suggestions for sources of such data for any of the state parties.

The Goldwater Movement: Its Influence on the Republican Party in the 1970s

party under his leadership went down to a massive defeat? Clearly, the party in 1964 was in its weakest position since the Roosevelt landslide of 1936. Its presidential nominee had carried only six states and received just 38.7% of the popular vote. Republicans held only 32% of the seats in the United States Senate and House of Representatives. At the state level, just seventeen governorships were in Republican hands and both houses of the state legislature in only four states belonged to the GOP.