ABSTRACT
This chapter focuses on interviews in 1991 and 1992 with 70 Democratic members of the House of Representatives, and with a large number of senior staff. Interviewees were chosen primarily from key committees and the party leadership structure. The interviews showed that, excepting unhappy southern Democrats, a number of whom openly disdained their congressional party, Democratic members’ partisanship was quite strong. Party goals are championed by legislators who are elected from partisan congressional districts that elect their congresspersons from the same party in election after election. The importance of party messages is underscored by the intense involvement of congressional leaders and high-priced consultants in the formulation and projection of party messages. Party leaders also gain influence from packaging legislation. Members are independent because they can get themselves reelected and so can refuse the demands of party leaders if they need to so as to satisfy constituent pressures.
