Renewing Presidential Politics : Campaigns, Media, and the Public Interest

By analysing the 1996 presidential election campaign, this book suggests that "good" campaigns, especially those with issue-oriented media coverage and positive advertisements, do make a difference in the quality and quantity of citizen participation, policy input and output, and good governance.

Do we get the best presidential candidates to run and elect the presidents we deserve as a nation? If not, why not? Could it have something to do with the quality of campaigns in American politics today? Noted presidential scholar Bruce Buchanan puts the 1996 presidential election campaign in context with the campaigns of 1988 and 1992, making the case that ''good'' campaigns—especially those with issue-oriented media coverage and positive campaign advertisements—do make a difference in the quality and quantity of citizen participation, policy input and output, and overall good governance. Perfect for college courses on campaigns and elections and on the presidency, this book looks ahead to future election campaigns with a hope for creating a nation of ''citizen owners and lovers'' of the political process, not to mention candidates and media coverage worthy of citizen involvement and attention.