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.

Endorsements for Winning the White House, 2004:

'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, USA

'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, USA

'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, USA

'What a year and what a story to be told. The authors have exceeded my highest expectations by capturing the emotional roller coaster, theups 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

Autorentext
KEVIN J. McMAHON is John R. Reitemeyer Associate Professor and Chair of Political Science at Trinity College in Hartford, Connecticut, USA. **** DAVID RANKIN is Associate Professor of Political Science at the State University of New York, Fredonia, USA. DONALD W. BEACHLER is Associate Professor of Politics at Ithaca College, USA. **** JOHN KENNETH WHITE is Professor of Politics at the Catholic University of America, USA.

Inhalt
PART I: THE NOMINATION A Campaign To Remember PART II: THE ISSUES It was the Economy, Mostly The Foreign Policy Election That Wasn't Searching for the Social Issue PART III: THE REGIONS The Northeast: Blue, Deep Blue The South: Winking at Dixie The Midwest: Middle America's Margins The West: On the Electoral Frontier