ABSTRACT

In this important and timely volume, Dennis W. Johnson has assembled an outstanding team of political scientists and political professionals to examine one of the fiercest and most closely fought presidential elections of our time. Like its predecessor, Campaigning for President 2008, Campaigning for President 2012: Strategy and Tactics focuses on political management. It is written by both elections/campaign scholars and practitioners, who highlight the role of political consultants and campaigns while also emphasizing the strategy and tactics employed by the candidates, the national political parties, and outside interests. The contributors explore the general mood of the electorate in the 2012 election, the challenges Obama faced after his first term, the primaries, money, communication, the important issues of the election, and finally the election itself.

part 1|33 pages

The Primaries

chapter 3|13 pages

The Republican Primary Season

Strategic Positioning in the GOP Field

part 2|78 pages

Money, Communication, and Issues

chapter 4|23 pages

The Money Race

A New Era of Unlimited Funding?

chapter 6|15 pages

Political Advertising

When More Meant Less

chapter 7|13 pages

The Issues

chapter 8|15 pages

Jobs and the Economy

Campaign Rhetoric and Reality

part 3|97 pages

The General Election

chapter 10|21 pages

Outside Voices

Super PACs, Parties, and Other Non-Candidate Actors

chapter 11|24 pages

Romney for President

The Last 20th-Century Campaign

chapter 13|19 pages

Twelve for 2012

Consequential Choices by the Obama and Romney Presidential Campaigns