ABSTRACT
This chapter begins by presenting a stylized account of the Republican victory in the 1994 House elections, with special attention to how the nationalization of local contests contributed to the party's success. It shows how the effects of national issues were mediated by candidates and campaigns in what continued to be predominantly an electoral process with local focus. In 1994, the Republicans won the House by fielding superior candidates who were on the right side of the issues that were important to voters in House elections and by persuading voters to blame a unified Democratic government for government's failures. Bill Clinton's reputation as a leader was, of course, the chief target and victim of the Republicans' gridlock strategy. The strategic allocation of Republican campaign funds was strongly influenced by local conditions. During the decades of Democratic control, individual responsiveness to local interests almost always trumped collective party responsibility.
