Winning the White House, 2004

1. Front Matter

   Pages i-xiv

   PDF

2. The Nomination

   1. Front Matter

      Pages 1-1

      PDF

   2. Choosing the Candidates

      • John Kenneth White

      Pages 3-20

3. The Issues

   1. Front Matter

      Pages 21-21

      PDF

   2. A “Moral Values” Election?

      • Kevin J. McMahon

      Pages 23-46

   3. The Economy and Domestic Policy

      • Donald W. Beachler

      Pages 47-68

   4. Reagan’s Political Heir

      • John Kenneth White

      Pages 69-91

4. The Regions

   1. Front Matter

      Pages 93-93

      PDF

   2. The Northeast

      • Kevin J. McMahon

      Pages 95-121

   3. The South

      • Donald W. Beachler

      Pages 123-151

   4. The Midwest

      • David M. Rankin

      Pages 153-183

   5. The West

      • David M. Rankin

      Pages 185-213

5. Back Matter

   Pages 215-223

   PDF

What does it take to win the White House? This book helps students understand both the issues and how and why people vote for one candidate. After discussing the dynamics of the primary campaigns, the authors examine three broad sets of issues that play a key role in voting: foreign policy, domestic policies, and the culture wars. This sets the foundations for an examination of regional similarities and differences in voting patterns, as the varying salience and valence of issues-whether general or specific-is explored across and within regions. Special attention is paid to battleground states. Drawing on concepts from political science, this book advances students' understanding both of the field and the phenomenon.

• campaign
• election
• Electoral
• foreign policy
• policy
• political science
• voting

American presidents govern the entire nation but they are chosen in fifty separate state contests, each with its own rules, issues and personalities. Winning the White House is one of the few books to capture the state-by-state and regional realities of presidential politics. It is a book that should be read and pondered by scholars, journalists and citizens. - Benjamin Ginsberg, Bernstein Professor of Political Science, The Johns Hopkins University

This fine new collection does an especially good job in exploring the role of values in the 2004 campaign. The essays are written in a way that students are bound to be interested, and faculty also will enjoy these thoughtful assessments. - Clyde Wilcox, Department of Government, Georgetown University

Winning the White House is an interesting and insightful volume on the policy issues and regional dynamics that brought President Bush a second term in 2004. The authors provide a thorough and provocative treatment of the current state of national politics, and give us food for thought for future presidential elections. This book deserves a wide readership and should find its way into many college classrooms. - Irwin L. Morris, Associate Professor, University of Maryland at College Park

'What a year and what a story to be told. The authors have exceeded my highest expectations by capturing the emotional roller coaster, the ups and downs of the polls, and the polarized public mood. There is plenty here for the seasoned political veteran, the interested academic and journalist, and the general public.' - John Zogby, President/CEO, Zogby International

KEVIN MCMAHON is Associate Professor at the State University of New York (SUNY) in Fredonia, USA.

JOHN KENNETH WHITE is a Professor at the Catholic University of America, USA.

DAVID M. RANKIN is Assistant Professor at the State University of New York (SUNY) in Fredonia, USA.

DONALD W. BEACHLER is Assistant Professor at Ithaca College, USA.

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