1. Hyman’s Rules

2. Hyman’s Rules The Rule of Political Talent –
Must have had some official connection with the governmental process in an appointive or elective post.
Ex. governor, member of Congress, Cabinet, judiciary or the military
The Rule of Governors –
Nominating conventions show a clear preference for state governors.
Governor controlled state delegation to the convention.
Senators have to declare positions on divisive issues of the day.
Perception exists that the jobs are similar because they are both executive positions.

3. Hyman’s Rules The Rule of Big “Swing” States –
Candidates are favored if they come from a state with a large electoral vote and which does not have a one-party voting record.
There is a belief that state pride in a native-son candidate will help win a popular vote that might otherwise be lost.
Candidates from small states rarely ever nominated
The Rule of Multiple Interests –
Must appear to be hospitable to the claims of many economic interests in the nation.
There needs to be a coalition among sections of agriculture, labor, commerce, and industry

4. Hyman’s Rules The Rule of Happy Family Life –
Candidates must appear to have an ideal family life. They are expected to be model husbands and fathers
Divorce was a big handicap
The Rule of the Small Town –
Candidates are preferred who come from small towns
This rule is so strong that candidates go to great lengths to be identified with the small town and rural countryside

5. Hyman’s Rules The Rule of English Stock –
Candidates are preferred who come from English ethnic stock.
British Isles, excluding Ireland
Non-English Presidents were Dutch, Swiss, or Swiss-German, all closely related ethnically.
The Rule of Protestantism –
All Presidents had been Protestants, as had all major candidates except for one.
Could be an Anti-Catholic bias or simply reflect the automatic working of a majority principle.

6. Hyman’s Rules In groups of 4, list the rules on a separate
sheet of paper and write actual suggestions
for presidential hopefuls for each of the rules.
For example:
#2 – The Rule of Governors: candidates are more likely to be nominated if they have served as a successful governor of a state.

7. Hyman’s Rules
Write a ½-1 page summary explaining your opinion of Hyman’s rules. Address the following questions:
Based on the bios of Presidents from Taft to Eisenhower, were Hyman’s rules logical when he developed them? Why or why not? Explain.
Based on the bios of Presidents from Nixon to Trump, do you think Hyman’s rules have applied to recent presidents? Why or why not? Explain.
Which president satisfied the fewest rules? Explain how you think he was able to overcome this.
In your opinion, which of Hyman’s rules are still relevant today and which ones, if any, are not? Explain.