ABSTRACT
A defining characteristic of an autonomous political organization is its ability to insulate its decision making processes from the “impact of non-political groups and procedures.” 1 In order to obtain legislative approval for his strip mine control program, Breathitt had to prevent his factional adherents in the General Assembly from succumbing to the intense pressure being generated by the coal industry. 2 To render them immune from such influence, Breathitt transformed his own approach to political leadership. He abandoned his earlier efforts to accommodate rival factions and conciliate the strip miners. His new strategy centered upon increasing the size of his own faction and insuring that it would obey his legislative command. He expanded his faction by actively intervening in legislative primaries. Tighter legislative discipline was achieved by adopting a more overtly political approach to the dispensation of gubernatorial patronage.
