While DeSart focuses on the idea of candidate centered politics as a cause for party decline which can be attributed as well to Pomper's factors. Simply put, because of changes in the parties concerning the aspects of recruitment, candidate nomination, campaign finance, and national conventions combined with electoral behavior has lead to candidate center politics, which in turn takes power from the political parties in America.
In examining Pomper's five aspects for party decline, one can see a trickle down effect beginning with the changes to what traditionally gave strength to political parties. Ultimately strength for political parties stemmed from the ability to nominate candidates for political positions, most importantly for President. If one wanted to be involved in the political world, they would need the endorsement of a political power in order to achieve legitimacy. However, in today's political world we find that instead of parties choosing the candidates for office, members of parties make themselves candidates "through a process of self-selection and depend on their success on the organizations personally bound to the candidate" (Pomper 25). Legitimacy of candidates running for office now stems from their achievements personally rather than the achievements of the parties. "The standing of candidates is now certified not by their support among party leaders or their particular office but by a small group of reporter and commentators for newspapers, magazines, and television" (Pomper 28). It is the media now which has gained much power in the political world which parties have lost. Citizens have begun to base their opinions on candidates in regards to the candidates" portrayal in the media, rather then on the word of their respective party. .
This trend has changed the strategies of candidates, which now are "directed toward winning the notice of the press and gaining more widespread public attention" (Pomper 28).