Winning the Presidency 2016
The presidential election of 2016 was unlike any in modern American history. Donald Trump, a successful businessman, well known reality television host and a political novice with no clear policy views or political attachments, ran for the presidency. His opponent was Hillary Clinton, a candidate with a long and impressive career in politics. She was the first woman nominee of a major political party and, should she have won, the first woman President of the United States. No one gave Trump much of a chance. Yet he won the election. How did he do it? What explains his political success? What can we expect from a Trump presidency? This book answers these questions. It presents a clear and definitive overview of his campaign, its controversies and setbacks, and its successes. Winning the Presidency 2016 identifies who voted for Donald Trump and why. It explains why Hillary Clinton lost. This is essential reading for understanding a campaign with no precedents and a presidential election that could have seismic consequences for the conduct of American government.
William J. Crotty is Thomas P. ONeill, Jr. Chair in Public Life and Emeritus Professor of Political Science at Northeastern University. He is a recipient of the Samuel J. Eldersveld Lifetime Achievement Award of the Political Organization and Parties Section of the American Political Science Association and the Hubert H. Humphrey Award of the Policy Studies Association. He has served as president of the Policy Studies Association, the Political Organizations and Parties Section of the American Political Science Association, and as president of the Midwest Political Science Association. Among other areas of interest, he has written on political ideology and its policy-relevant applications, democratic development, and he has conducted surveys of black communities and written on a changing black politics.
Praise for Winning the Presidency 2016
William Crotty and his colleagues have given us a serious and informative book on the 2016 election, which will nourish both citizens and scholars. Both America and the rest of the world badly need it.
Thomas Ferguson, University of Massachusetts-Boston, USA
This is an excellent volume for courses on U.S. elections and the presidency. Nine highly distinguished political science scholars examine an election that was unconventional and divisive or, in the case of the congressional elections, conventional and divisive to explain why this election defied expectations, and to consider whether 2016 is the new normal.
Christine L. Day, University of New Orleans, USA
Winning the Presidency 2016 is a very fine, sober, insightful, and literate analysis of a most shocking election. Through wise and deep analysis that will appeal to scholars, students, and political observers, the authors explain how it happened and what it means, weighing a wide variety of factors American history, contemporary culture, the campaigns and vote counts, and the state of our democracy.
James A. Morone, Brown University, USA
William Crotty has organized eight excellent, penetrating studies of the 2016 presidential election, the most significant election in this century. Scholars and students alike will welcome this new collection.
Kenneth J. Janda, Northwestern University, USA
No eight mortals can be expected to explain the inexplicable, but William Crotty and his stellar cast have taken on the challenge and produced a set of insights well worth the read. Its an explanation of many parts: The roles of institutions, campaigns, candidates, voters, social media, meddling, and luck (good and bad) are all well-explored. In the process, and very importantly, the authors dont ignore the normal while highlighting the many unique features of the 2016 election. As for implications, the book offers not just a significant list of challenges, but also some reasons for hope.
Robert Harmel, Texas A&M University, USA
The 2016 US election season was like nothing we have seen before. Its centerpiece the election of Donald J. Trumphas confounded (most) predictions and drawn US democracy into unchartered territory. This new study, edited by one of the founding fathers of the study of American party politics, William Crotty, provides a much-needed perspective on what happened, why it happened, and what it all means for politics and democracy in the US and the world over.
David Farrell, University College Dublin, UK
Winning the Presidency is a powerful, sobering analysis of the 2016 election. Outstanding contributors apply the best political science theories and data to determine what happened and, more importantly, what it foretells of our political future. The book asks and forcefully answers the question, Has our very democracy been undermined or is this only a political blip? Winning the Presidency should be read by every serious scholar, student, activist, and citizen.
Dick Simpson, University of Illinois, USA
William Crottys Winning the Presidency 2016 is a first-rate collection of essays explaining the exciting and wholly unexpected 2016 presidential race. The authors explain how, though at the start of the season it looked likely to be a replay of the Clinton-Bush dynasties, political novice Donald Trump emerged to win the White House. Its a whole new ballgame. This persuasive book forces us to reexamine our conventional thinking.
Thomas R. Marshall, University of Texas-Arlington, USA
Winning the Presidency 2016 is a greatly useful and insightful book about a most unlikely election by nine of Americas best political scientists. Impressive for its comprehensiveness, the book covers the political and cultural context, the nomination campaigns, the gender issue, the role of demography, the congressional elections, and the collapse of the establishment and political parties. A valuable review and assessment for students, political scientists, and a general audience.
Bruce Caswell, Rowan University, USA
The 2016 presidential election will probably go down in the annals of history as a realignment election. This book focuses on Donald Trumps surprising victory and Hillary Clintons unusual loss. William Crotty and his collaborators give us an inside glimpse at both the Democratic and Republican parties in an attempt to determine how each failed to draw support from traditional voters. Contributors share fresh insights into the party decision-making processes and illustrate the growing disconnect between the party establishments and voters. Will the events of this election yield lessons, and will these lessons lead to changes to the electoral system? Winning the Presidency 2016 is the definitive look at the election, and is an excellent resource on what can be done to bring American democracy into the 21st century.
Guy Lachapelle, Concordia University, Canada
Bill Crottys timely, accessible book examines the dynamics behind the unexpected victory of Donald Trump in the 2016 election. Outstanding political scholars offer new insights on nomination fights, the nominees perils and promises, conventional and unconventional campaign strategies, explanations for the vote, nuances of gender and Latino politics, dissimilarities between congressional and presidential elections, and potentially seismic consequences of the election for political parties, government institutions, and the country. This book is a valuable, rich resource for students and all citizens.
Jonathan P. West, University of Miami, USA
