Publisher's Synopsis
The American party system has undergone a profound and dramatic transformation since 1960. Once, professional politicians controlled such crucial party functions as candidate selection. Now, the days of pluralism and coalition-building are over, and the news media, lobbyists and candidate organizations dominate party affairs. The effects of these changes on the Republican Party have been largely ignored.;This book shows how changes in electoral behaviour, the disintegration of party structures, the lack of organizational ability and personal failings of liberal candidates all played a crucial role in the decline of liberal Republicans, allowing conservative opponents to gain control of the national party. The author concludes that the liberal prospects for recovery in presidential politics remain slim.
