Which scenario best represents how states can impact national politics?

Holding presidential primaries serves as a prime example of how states can influence national politics. Presidential primaries are the processes through which states select delegates to national party conventions, ultimately deciding a party's nominee for president. By conducting these elections, states play a pivotal role in shaping the national conversation around candidates and their policies.

State-level primaries can significantly affect the momentum of a candidate's campaign, impacting public perception and media coverage. The results of early primaries often set the tone for subsequent contests, and candidates may tailor their platforms to appeal to the diverse electorate in various states. This demonstrates how state decisions can reverberate through the national political landscape.

In contrast, implementing national security policies is primarily the responsibility of the federal government, and states have limited authority in this area. Declaring war independently violates constitutional provisions that designate war powers to Congress. Establishing national courts is solely a federal function, as state courts operate independently and do not influence the creation of national judicial frameworks.