Political Advertising

An old pro on political mischief in the United States gives us an overview of U.S. campaign tactics and ethics from 18th-century pamphleteers to 1990s political consultants and media wizards. Felknor analyzes negative campaigning today within the context of the evolution of our electoral system. He offers a candid report on media's influence on politics and shows how political reforms from the Progressive Era to Watergate have often misfired. This incisive analysis also provides long-forgotten, little-known, and never-told accounts of political lore written in a lively manner.

Benoit provides a comprehensive analysis of presidential spots from the inception of this important message form in 1952 through the most recent national campaign in 1996. He includes both primary and general spots as well as those from third party candidates.

Kaid and Johnston report the results of a systematic and thorough analysis of virtually all of the political commercials used in general election campaigns from 1952 through the 1996 presidential contest.

Is the Internet destined to upset traditional political power in the United States? This book gives an emphatic "no". Author Richard Davis shows how current political players such as candidates, public officials, and the media are adapting to the Internet and assuring that this new medium benefits them in their struggle for power. In doing so he examines the current function of the Internet in democratic politics, i.e. educating citizens, conducting electoral campaigns, gauging public opinion, and achieving policy resolution, and the rotes of current political actors in those functions. Davis unconventional prediction concerning the Internet's impact on American politics warrants a closer took by anyone interested in teaming how this new communication medium will affect us politically.