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This study proposes and assesses an alternative explanation of the changes in the relationship between presidential and House of Representatives election results during the last century. Jeffrey M. Stonecash argues that the separation of presidential and House election results that occurred from the 1960s to 1980 was a party-driven process, with both parties seeking to change their electoral base. Republicans sought a more conservative electoral base to counter what they saw as disturbing liberal trends in the nation. Democrats sought to reduce their reliance on the South and its conservativism. Presidential and House election results changed at different rates, creating an appearance that they were unconnected, but they eventually came together. Although many saw these changes in election results as evidence of parties' decline, this study reaffirms their position as central actors in bringing about change

1. Democracy and the ideal role of political parties -- 2. Enduring doubts about political parties -- 3. Notions of party and conflict -- 4. Shifting electoral bases -- 5. Conflicting interpretations of change -- 6. The lack of a majority -- 7. Continuing social change and events -- 8. Voters, partisanship and the media -- 9. Enduring uncertainty and troubling behaviors -- 10. Pursuing coalitions and an identity : long-term strategies -- 11. Disparaging the other party : short-term strategies -- 12. Democracy and the continuous campaign.

How do parties respond to the electorate and craft winning strategies? In the abstract parties are the vehicles to make democracy work, but it is often difficult to see the process working as well as we think it might. Indeed, voters often struggle to see parties as the valuable vehicles of representation that so many academics describe. There is a clear discrepancy between the ideal expressed in many textbooks and the reality that we see playing out in politics. Noted scholar Jeffrey Stonecash gives us a big picture analysis that helps us understand what is happening in contemporary.

An increased incumbency effect and American politics -- The consensus about a greater incumbency effect -- The trend in incumbent vote percentages -- Cumulative career changes -- The retirement slump -- An alternative framework : the role of realignment -- A partisan view of incumbent percentages -- The role of realignment -- Conclusions and implications.

Following the 2020 presidential election Donald Trump claimed that the election had been stolen and that fraud was widespread. His voter base widely accepted that and that has prompted numerous state legislatures to enact laws creating hurdles that make voting more difficult. The presumption of most reactions to these laws is that they are directed at reducing non-white voting. This study suggests that they may also affect the white working class. The party needs their votes and they have a historical record of not voting at high levels. More hurdles may diminish their turnout. The analysis draws on voting patterns from 1952–2020.