Battle for the Big Sky delves into one of the few competitive races of the 2012 election: the US Senate campaign in Montana. Author David C.W. Parker was granted exceptional access by both candidates over the 21 months preceding the election, allowing him to tell the story of the race in rare and fascinating detail, while also exploring the impact of Citizens United and so-called ‘dark money’ on the campaign. The Montana setting offers readers a view into the rising political influence of the West, the importance of ‘place’ in politics, and the impact of congressional styles and constituent relationships on campaigns and elections. Parker skillfully weaves political analysis into his narrative and places the race in the broader context of congressional elections and the research literature.
Tabela de Conteúdo
Chapter 1: What Happened in Montana Won’t Stay in Montana
Do Campaigns Matter? Montana Votes ‘Yes’
The Rise of the West
Building Constituent Connections
A Ringside Seat
Chapter 2: Montana: The Last, Best Place?
Place-Based Connections
“One of Us”
Montana: The Place
Montana and the Feds: A Love-Hate Relationship
Montana: The People
Conclusion
Chapter 3: Jon Tester’s Creating a Buzz
Prepolitical Careers and Representational Style
The Dirt Farmer from Big Sandy
Jon Tester Goes to Helena
Going Belly to Belly with Senator Burns
Conclusion
Chapter 4: Denny Rehberg: A Man in a Hurry
The Billings Rancher
Forget Me Not: Denny the Insurgent
Denny and Max
Montana’s Lone Congressman
Two Early Political Careers, Two Different Paths
Conclusion
Chapter 5: Representational Style: How Congressman Rehberg and Senator Tester Govern
Home Styles in the Big Sky
Washington Work
Explaining Washington Work to Constituents
Home Styles and Town Halls
Conclusion
Chapter 6: Campaigning in a Citizens United World: The Early Days of the Race
Priming and Framing
Farmer Jon or Barack Tester; Rancher Denny or Irresponsible Dennis?
Citizens United: More Money, Less Control
The Pledge That Wasn’t
Conclusion
Chapter 7: What Voters Know, How They Decide, and When Campaigns Matter
How Individuals Make Voting Decisions in Congressional Elections
Montana: Independent Voters Facing a Rich Information Environment
Representational Relationships: What Did Montanans Know and When Did They Know it?
Talking Politics: The Bozeman Focus Groups
Reinforcing an Information Advantage
Conclusion
Chapter 8: The Message Matters: The Politics of Personality and Issues
Do Campaigns Matter? What Political Science Says
Rehberg’s Decision
Information Advantages and Voter Learning: How Personality Trumped Issues and Resources
The Final Stretch
Conclusion
Chapter 9: The End Game
How the Campaign Mattered
The Democratic Brand
It’s the Economy, Stupid?
“Responsible” Decision Making: The Politics of Representational Style
Dan Cox: Spoiler?
The Democratic Ground Game
A Final Look
Conclusion
Chapter 10: Lessons Learned
Future Directions
Conclusion
Sobre o autor
David C.W. Parker is an associate professor of political science at Montana State University. He is the author of The Power of Money in Congressional Campaigns, 1880-2006 (University of Oklahoma Press), as well as articles on the consequences of divided government and how members of Congress build reputations with their constituents. His article, ‘Making a Good Impression: Resource Allocations, Home Styles, and Washington Work, ‘ won the 2010 Alan Rosenthal Award from the American Political Science Association. His co-edited volume on archival research methodology was published last year. Prior to entering the academy, Dr. Parker worked as a field representative, communications director, and campaign manager for a presidential, mayoral, and two Senate campaigns. He also writes a blog for the Montana State University Department of Political Science entitled Big Sky Political Analysis.
Mais ebooks do mesmo autor(es) / Editor
114.479 Ebooks nesta categoria
