Divisive Primaries and Participation in Fall Presidential Campaigns

Abstract

Remarkably little research has been published on divisive presidential primaries and activists who take part in them. This case study of 1984 New Hampshire Democratic primary activists investigates whether Mondale opponents helped the fall Mondale campaign significantly less than Mondale primary supporters. Although differences were significant and in the expected direction, some Mondale primary opponents still helped the fall campaign substantially; very few abstained or defected to Reagan. In addition to candidate supported in the presidential primary, multivariate analysis pinpointed being a "political junkie" as another important influence on fall presidential campaign participation. Finally, this divisive primary was found to have positive as well as negative consequences for the state Democratic party.