ABSTRACT
In a government “of, by, and for” the people, popular sentiment, electoral choice, and public policy are extricably linked to one another. Campaigns and elections provide this linkage. They provide information that helps the electorate evaluate candidates and make voting decisions. These decisions, in turn, help determine the personnel and shape the policy agenda of the new administration. They also provide the foundation that enables elected officials to build a governing coalition and gain support for the public policy decisions they make.
