Scammon discusses the American political mood and voting patterns in the United States. He deciphers the Carter victory in 1976, noting that there were two elections that year, one in the south and one everywhere else. Discussing election trends for 1978 and 1980, he stresses the importance of program, party, and personality. Applying the concepts of party affection but not party organization, and ambivalence in public life, Scammon sees a re-elected Democratic Congress in 1978. For the 1980 presidential election, he sees a Republican without scars, such as Baker, Thompson or Danforth, being nominated. Carter is the likely choice for the Democrats.