Introduction

Jimmy Carter became president during a unique period in American political life. Widespread public distrust of national political leaders and institutions characterized this period which immediately followed the Vietnam and Watergate traumas. For many Americans in 1976, Democratic presidential candidate Carter embodied their highest aspirations for a "new beginning" in national politics. An important distinction between social scientists' and journalists' approaches to evaluation is that, unlike journalists, social scientists are expected to produce clear definitions and measures of leadership. Journalists are not expected to identify their evaluative criteria. Many leading newspapers considered interpretive reporting unprofessional and reserved political commentary and analysis for editorial writers and syndicated columnists. Journalistic assessments of events surrounding the Bert Lance controversy in September 1977 best illustrate the negative press portrait of Carter's staff. The chapter also presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in this book.