ABSTRACT

This introduction presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in the subsequent chapters of this book. The book offers a closer examination of how Americans think and feel about government. An electorate that was typically "apathetic, malleable" and bored with politics became suddenly "obsessed" with the process, seeing the presidential contest in particular as a "turning point" for the nation and following campaign events with a heightened sense of purpose. Bill Clinton and the Democrats had not necessarily failed, at least by traditional standards, but they fell far short of implementing the agenda of social and institutional "change" that was critical to their success in the previous election. To be sure, Gingrich is not the only Republican game in town. Senate majority leader Robert Dole made it clear early on that certain elements of the contract were simply not doable, at least right away.