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The creation and activities of the so-called 527 political organizations during the 2004 campaign support the framework created by John Aldrich in Why Parties? They also support the notion of a "party network": a web of actors united behind the common pursuit of power under a shared label. The 527s were created by individuals deeply embedded in the party networks, were staffed by political professionals long active in party politics, and pursued strategies supportive of party aims. The party networks showed their flexibility by absorbing "outside" groups such as MoveOn.org and Swift Boat Veterans. The activities of the 527 organizations do not support the arguments for "party decline" that were popular in the 1970s and 1980s, nor do they validate the predictions made that BCRA would devastate the political parties. Other developments during the 2004 elections support the continuing trend of American political parties toward the "responsible" model.

The creation and activities of the so-called 527 political organizations during the 2004 campaign support the framework created by John Aldrich in "Why Parties?" They also support the notion of a 'party network': a web of actors united behind the common pursuit of power under a shared label. The 527s were created by individuals deeply embedded in the party networks, were staffed by political professionals long active in party politics, and pursued strategies supportive of party aims. The party networks showed their flexibility by absorbing 'outside' groups such as MoveOn.org and Swift Boat Veterans. The activities of the 527 organizations do not support the arguments for 'party decline' that were popular in the 1970s and 1980s, nor do they validate the predictions made that BCRA would devastate the political parties. Other developments during the 2004 elections support the continuing trend of American political parties toward the 'Responsible' model. Adapted from the source document.

Klinkner & Skinner respond to Sadow's article, "Partisanship, Chauvinism, and Reverse Racial Dynamics in the 2003 Louisiana Gubernatorial Election" (2004). Adapted from the source document.

We investigate the links between 527s and other political organizations through the employment histories of 527 staff. We find that 527s are highly central to modern political party networks and are in positions to facilitate coordination within a party and to employ key party personnel. Furthermore, we find important differences between the networks charted out by the two major parties. The Republican Party, the majority party during the period under study, had a more hierarchical network than the Democratic Party did. [Reprinted by permission of Sage Publications Inc., copyright holder.]

We investigate the links between 527s and other political organizations through the employment histories of 527 staff. We find that 527s are highly central to modern political party networks and are in positions to facilitate coordination within a party and to employ key party personnel. Furthermore, we find important differences between the networks charted out by the two major parties. The Republican Party, the majority party during the period under study, had a more hierarchical network than the Democratic Party did.