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Just how did we end up with this presidential primary system?
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Feb 10, 2016
Listen 16:48
Just how did we end up with this presidential primary system?
In his new book, “Let the People Rule,” Geoffrey Cowan gives an inside look at Roosevelt’s campaign, which began the presidential primaries we know today.
"Let the People Rule: Theodore Roosevelt and the Birth of the Presidential Primary" by Geoffrey Cowan
"Let the People Rule: Theodore Roosevelt and the Birth of the Presidential Primary" by Geoffrey Cowan
(
W.W. Norton & Company
)

In his new book, “Let the People Rule,” Geoffrey Cowan gives an inside look at Roosevelt’s campaign, which began the presidential primaries we know today.

As a way to win the Republican Party nomination against William Howard Taft in 1912, Theodore Roosevelt capitalized on the idea of presidential primaries.

Using the phrase, “Let the people rule,” Roosevelt swept nine out of 13 primaries, but wasn’t powerful enough to win the nomination, which forced him to form a new party.

In his new book, “Let the People Rule: Theodore Roosevelt and the Birth of the Presidential Primary,” Geoffrey Cowan gives an inside look at Roosevelt’s campaign, with newly found documents and a less-than-flattering telling of deals that were made behind closed doors. Larry Mantle speaks with Cowan on the impact of Roosevelt’s campaign, and what it means for politics today.

Guest:

Geoffrey Cowan, author of "Let the People Rule: Theodore Roosevelt and the Birth of the Presidential Primary" (W.W. Norton & Company); He’s also a Professor of Communication at USC’s Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism. He tweets from 

  

Credits
Host, AirTalk
Host, All Things Considered, AirTalk Friday
Senior Producer, AirTalk & FilmWeek
Producer, AirTalk with Larry Mantle
Producer, AirTalk with Larry Mantle
Associate Producer, AirTalk with Larry Mantle
Apprentice News Clerk, AirTalk
Apprentice News Clerk, FilmWeek