Conventional Wisdom and American Elections

by Baumgartner, Jody C.

• ISBN13: 9780742547384
• ISBN10: 0742547388
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2007-08-15
• Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield Pub Inc

Summary

Conventional Wisdom and American Elections: Exploding Myths, Exploring Misconceptions debunks many common myths that have arisen about the electoral process in the past few decades. Topics include campaign finance, political participation and voting, the role of campaigns, internet campaigning, negative campaigning, political parties, and the role the media plays in the electoral process. Each chapter offers comprehensive coverage of the subject matter, and is written in a manner that is accessible to undergraduate students.

Table of Contents

List of Illustrations	p. ix
Preface	p. xiii
Voters
The Big Year for the Youth Vote: Myth and Reality	p. 3
The "America Divided" Myth: Red States, Blue States, and Other Gaps	p. 15
The Myth of the Vanishing Voters and the Rise of the Independent Voter	p. 33
Following Campaigns
Misconceptions about the E-Campaign: What the Internet Can and Cannot Do for Political Campaigns	p. 49
Myth or Reality? Presidential Campaigns Have Become Nastier	p. 65
Science or Voodoo? Misconceptions about National Election Polls	p. 79
"It's the Ratings, Stupid": Misconceptions about Media Bias	p. 93
A "Dime's Worth of Difference"?: Political Parties and the Myth of Tweedledum and Tweedledee	p. 107
Understanding Election Outcomes
Selling the President: The "Image Is Everything" Myth	p. 125
The Misconception of Competitive Congressional Elections	p. 139
Presidential Campaigns and "Kingmaker" States: The Myth of a National Contest	p. 157
Notes	p. 175
Index	p. 203
About the Authors	p. 209
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