With the announcements earlier this week by Ted Cruz and John Kasich that they were suspending their campaigns, the path is now clear for Donald Trump to become the 2016 Republican nominee. That prospect has prompted a collective act of self-flagellation by journalists, pundits and data crunchers, all asking essentially the same two questions: “How […]…Continue Reading Explaining Trump’s Success: What We Still Get Wrong
Tag: 2016 Republican nomination
Does New York Love Donald Trump’s Values?
Only four days before next Tuesday’s crucial New York primary, the Trump Traveling Circus came to Plattsburgh in upstate New York on Friday, and your intrepid blogger was at the rally. Here’s what I saw. I had originally intended to attend Trump’s Albany rally last Monday, but begin to hear rumors that Trump was planning […]…Continue Reading Does New York Love Donald Trump’s Values?
Does New York Love Donald Trump’s Values?
Only four days before next Tuesday’s crucial New York primary, the Trump Traveling Circus came to Plattsburgh in upstate New York on Friday, and your intrepid blogger was at the rally. Here’s what I saw. I had originally intended to attend Trump’s Albany rally last Monday, but begin to hear rumors that Trump was planning […]…Continue Reading Does New York Love Donald Trump’s Values?
On, Wisconsin: BernieMentum, The Donald’s Gaffes and What Tonight Really Means
If the current polls hold up and Ted Cruz pulls out a victory over Donald Trump in Wisconsin, the media spin will immediately focus on The Donald’s “terrible two weeks” as the proximate cause of his defeat. As the New York Times puts it: “A Cruz victory will suggest that a backlash against Mr. Trump […]…Continue Reading On, Wisconsin: BernieMentum, The Donald’s Gaffes and What Tonight Really Means
As Vermont Goes, So Goes Kasich?
John Kasich took his long-shot campaign north to Vermont today in anticipation of this state’s Super Tuesday primary tomorrow, and your intrepid blogger battled moderate temperatures and fields of solar panels to give you this report: We arrived at the Castleton University Campus Center about 15 minutes prior to Kasich’s scheduled 11:30 a.m. talk and […]…Continue Reading As Vermont Goes, So Goes Kasich?
Does The Party Decide? Explaining the Trump Phenomenon
Longtime readers know that I have periodically expressed skepticism regarding “The Party Decides” thesis. That is the argument, made most thoroughly by the book of that title, that party leaders act in effect as gatekeepers who control who wins their party’s nomination. They do so through a variety of signaling mechanisms, such as endorsements, or […]…Continue Reading Does The Party Decide? Explaining the Trump Phenomenon
Tales From the Campaign Trail: Can Christie Come Back In New Hampshire?
It is hard to remember, but four years ago many Republicans (and pundits), concerned about what they viewed as Mitt Romney’s lackluster candidacy and a generally weak Republican field, were imploring New Jersey Governor Chris Christie to enter their party’s presidential race. Christie demurred, claiming that he was not yet ready for a presidential run. […]…Continue Reading Tales From the Campaign Trail: Can Christie Come Back In New Hampshire?