The VP Advantage: How Running Mates Influence Home State Voting in Presidential Elections

Devine, Christopher; Kopko, Kyle C.

ISBN 10: 1784993379 / ISBN 13: 9781784993375

Published by Manchester University Press, 2016

About this Item

pp. 224.

Seller Inventory # 26372706083

Bibliographic Details

• Title: The VP Advantage: How Running Mates Influence Home State Voting in Presidential Elections
• Publisher: Manchester University Press
• Publication Date: 2016
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1784993379
• ISBN 13: 9781784993375
• Binding: Hardcover
• Condition: New

About this title

Synopsis

A widespread perception exists among political commentators, campaign operatives and presidential candidates that vice presidential (VP) running mates can deliver their home state's electoral votes in a presidential election. In recent elections, presidential campaigns have even changed their strategy in response to the perceived VP home state advantage. But is the advantage real? And could it decide a presidential election? In the most comprehensive analysis to date, Devine and Kopko demonstrate that the VP home state advantage is actually highly conditional and rarely decisive in the Electoral College. However, it could change the outcome of a presidential election under narrow but plausible conditions. Sophisticated in its methodology and rich in historical as well as contemporary insight, The VP Advantage is essential and accessible reading for anyone interested in understanding how running mates influence presidential elections.

About the Authors

Christopher J. Devine is Assistant Professor of Political Science at Mount Vernon Nazarene University, Ohio, USA

Kyle C. Kopko is Assistant Professor of Political Science at Elizabethtown College, Pennsylvania, USA