Campaigns and Elections American Style

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Leading political scientists and seasoned campaign professionals, many of whom played key roles in the 1992 and 1994 elections, unite to explore the intricacies of American campaigns and elections alongside academic theories. Their insights reveal both alignments and tensions between theory and practice. For instance, Paul Herrnson's research on volunteerism aligns with grassroots expert Will Robinson's field operations experience, while William Hamilton and Raymond Wolfinger's essays highlight discrepancies in the use of campaign surveys. Sam Popkin exemplifies this blend of academia and practical experience, having advised the Clinton campaign. The essays offer a comprehensive education in practical campaign politics, detailing the evolution of election strategies leading to the 1992 phenomena, including town meetings, bus tours, and focus groups. They address critical aspects such as theme setting, communication strategies, the importance of early funding, media engagement, and the role of advanced tactics in mobilizing volunteers. This volume presents a balanced perspective from both Democratic and Republican viewpoints, scrutinizing campaigns up to 1994 with an eye toward 1996. Ideal for students, citizens, and campaign managers, this work emphasizes the necessity of ethical campaigning. It emerges from the collaboration of campaign professionals and academics at American University's Campaign Management Institute, maki