The Relationship between Divisive Primaries and General Election Outcom

The Relationship between Divisive Primaries and General Election Outcomes Patrick Kenney and Tom Rices article explores the effect of primary elections on the general presidential elections. Kenney and Rice attempt to determine whether supporters of losing primary candidates refrain from voting for their party in the general election. In order to better view this concept of divisive primaries, it is imperative to know its definition. Webster defines divisive as Creating, or tending to create, division, separation, or difference. However, I feel that divisiveness arises out of the need to superior and the subject field of voter turnout and primary significance has been a long running question. According to Kenney and Rice the primary campaign is a struggle between groups, chip for a scarce resource, the nomination. As research has shown, supporters of a losing candidate have been shown to retain bitterness towards the winning side of a primary. Our authors also mention the conception of in-group loyalties, and out-group hostilities, which affect a voters attitude. The in-group loyalties tend to be formed because of the length of primary elections, thus voters feel very strong and passionate nigh their candidate, and because the stakes are greater. The out-group hostilities are formed for the same reasons. In general, the longer the campaigns the stronger the in-group and out-group feelings are.With the definition of divisive primaries being k...