The primary season is here, the first Republican debates are in the books, and the presidential candidates are trying to persuade voters to support them. Persuasion happens a lot in primaries, but enjoy it while it lasts: Once campaigning for the general election begins, persuasion will mostly disappear, and mobilization — getting people who already support you to vote — will become the main strategic imperative.
Why?
Follow the data. CONT.
Eitan Hersh (Yale), FiveThirtyEight