the
rank-and-file (the most recent example: Gerald Ford's 1965 victory over
incumbent Charles Halleck for the minority leadership).
Nelson speculates that the homogeneous, conservative composition
of the House Republican membership has been conducive to more open
leadership contests. The large, heterogeneous membership of the House
Democrats, however, must cope with fiercely contending regional and
'
ideological interests. Their highly regulated succession process seeks to
avoid the...