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Lifting the Hood on the Straight-talk Express

Examining the McCain Phenomenon

University of Texas at Austin

DARON R. SHAW

University of Texas at Austin

As Arizona Senator John McCain emerged to win the New Hampshire and Michigan Republican primaries, much was made of his distinctive campaign tactics. Most notably, the press pointed to his willingness to open himself up to the media and voters. The authors argue that McCain's success was less tactical and idiosyncratic than has been suggested. McCain's rise was fueled by a confluence of circumstances. First, there was a latent pool of support for an antiestablishment, reformist candidate. Second, several high profile competitors departed right as McCain began his book tour and the New Hampshire primary started receiving attention. Third, for a variety of reasons, McCain was able to use subsequent free media attention to increase his support in New Hampshire and other primary states. Finally, the structure of the initial contests—open primaries in New Hampshire, South Carolina, and Michigan—allowed reformist-minded independents to vote alongside registered Republicans.

American Politics Research, Vol. 29, No. 5, 483-506 (2001)
DOI: 10.1177/1532673X01029005004


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