The 2016 presidential campaign gave us an election that broke with many accepted practices and introduced new concepts to campaign communication. Providing a clear understanding of the strategic decisions made and tactical communication practices used in contemporary political campaigns, the updated eighth edition adds an exploration of the primaries, the conventions, and the debates of the tumultuous 2016 election. The update covers key issues including candidate surfacing, the changing role of advertising, social media, journalism and fake news, and issues of gender.

With concepts like fake news and alternative facts, the 2016 campaign brought students of political campaign communication into uncharted territory. This updated eighth edition of a much loved text provides an essential overview of the 2016 presidential campaign that no course should be without.