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

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. Suitable for college courses on campaigns and election 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.