How Accurate Are the Polls?

by Mike Purdy | Apr 17, 2016 | Campaigns, Elections, Harry Truman, Resources

Polling is a regular part of modern presidential campaigns.  But just how accurate are they?  What have been some of the times when polls have not reflected reality, and why have these errors occurred?  What is the methodology that is used in developing a scientific...

Winner of Primaries Loses Nomination to Establishment Candidate

by Mike Purdy | Apr 12, 2016 | Campaigns, Conventions, Dwight Eisenhower, Elections

He was a populist, who was known to television audiences. He won more primaries and more popular votes than any other candidate.  By the time of the national convention, he was in the lead on delegates but didn’t have enough for the nomination on the first...

Party Leaders Reject GOP Presidential Nominee

by Mike Purdy | Apr 4, 2016 | Campaigns, Chester Arthur, Elections, Electoral College, Grover Cleveland, James Buchanan, James Garfield

He was a charismatic personality and speaker.  His dedicated followers idolized him.  He was a big name.  He was known for his sharp wit, his memory for names and faces, and had personal charm.  He had mansions in different states.  There were whispers and hints about...

The Curse of Contested Conventions

by Mike Purdy | Mar 27, 2016 | Campaigns, Conventions, Elections, Franklin Pierce, James Garfield, James Polk, Ulysses Grant

It’s certainly not unheard of in our nation’s history that a presidential front runner has been disappointed and lost the nomination after a contested or brokered convention with multiple convention ballots.  Just because a candidate enters a convention...

What do the Candidates Believe? – Video Online

by Mike Purdy | Mar 20, 2016 | Abraham Lincoln, Campaigns, Elections, Electoral College, John F. Kennedy, Quotes, Speeches, Thomas Jefferson

What do the candidates for president in 2016 believe, both in terms of faith and policy positions?  How important has religion been to our presidents, and what do the current candidates believe about religion?  Are there any historical precedents surrounding any of...

My TV Interview: Why Evangelicals Are Supporting Trump

by Mike Purdy | Mar 14, 2016 | Campaigns, Elections

On March 8, 2016, I was interviewed on WHDT World News in Florida on why evangelical voters are supporting Donald Trump for president.  It’s a great question without entirely satisfactory answers and I wasn’t able to fully address it in the 9 minute...