Campaign warriors : the role of political consultants in elections

Annotation Campaign politics has become increasingly professionalized in recent years. The growing prevalence and influence of paid consultants in the United States and other democracies is one of the most important factors changing the nature of electoral politics. Campaign Warriors thoroughly examines this critical -- and controversial -- development and its impact on the political system in the U.S. and other countries. The contributors approach the topic from several different perspectives, including the increasing use of "spin doctors" and the resulting loss of influence of state and national political parties. The book investigates the role of these paid advisers: who they are, what they do and why, and how they feel about their work. The contributors discuss the consultant's relationship with candidates and parties, and analyze the effect of their efforts on election outcomes The Essays In This Volume Present Original Data And Analysis Describing The World Of Campaign Consultants. The Nine Chapters Examine And Analyze: The Diversity And Complexity Of The Consulting Business And Consultants' Attitudes About Candidates, Voters, Political Parties, The Media, Ethics, And The Need For Reform; The Impact Of Consultants On Fundraising, Strategy, And Communications, And The Electoral Success Of Consultants In Congressional Elections, Initiatives, And Referenda; And The Internationalization Of Election Campaign Consultancy And The Spread Of Political Consultancy Worldwide. Campaign Warriors Illuminates The Work Of Professional Political Consultants And Their Growing Influence On The Electoral Process And American Democracy.--jacket. Introduction To The Study Of Campaign Consultants / James A. Thurber -- Portrait Of Campaign Consultants / James A. Thurber, Candice J. Nelson, And David A. Dulio -- The Business Of Political Consulting / Dennis W. Johnson -- Lessons From The Field: A Journey Into Political Consulting / Martin Hamburger -- Hired Guns And House Races: Campaign Professionals In House Elections / Paul S. Herrnson -- Professionalization In Congressional Campaigns / Stephen K. Medvic -- Electoral Partnerships: Political Consultants And Political Parties / Robin Kolodny -- Campaign Consultants And Direct Democracy: Politics Of Citizen Control / David B. Magleby And Kelly D. Patterson -- The Internationalization Of Campaign Consultancy / Shawn Bowler And David M. Farrell -- Appendixes: Measuring Campaign Consultants' Attitudes And Beliefs -- The State Party Survey -- Initiative And Referendum Interviews. James A. Thurber, Candice J. Nelson, Editors. Includes Bibliographical References And Index.

Campaign politics has become increasingly professionalized in recent years. The growing prevalence and influence of paid consultants in the United States and other democracies is one of the most important factors changing the nature of electoral politics. Campaign Warriors thoroughly examines this critical—and controversial—development and its impact on the political system in the U.S. and other countries.

The contributors approach the topic from several different perspectives, including the increasing use of "spin doctors" and the resulting loss of influence of state and national political parties. The book investigates the role of these paid advisers: who they are, what they do and why, and how they feel about their work. The contributors discuss the consultant's relationship with candidates and parties, and analyze the effect of their efforts on election outcome.

Introduction to the study of campaign consultants / James A. Thurber Portrait of campaign consultants / James A. Thurber, Candice J. Nelson, and David A. Dulio The Business of political consulting / Dennis W. Johnson Lessons from the field: a journey into political consulting / Martin Hamburger Hired guns and house races: campaign professionals in House elections / Paul S. Herrnson Professionalization in Congressional campaigns / Stephen K. Medvic Electoral partnerships: political consultants and political parties / Robin Kolodny Campaign consultants and direct democracy: politics of citizen control / David B. Magleby and Kelly D. Patterson The internationalization of campaign consultancy / Shawn Bowler and David M. Farrell Appendices: Measuring campaign consultants' attitudes and beliefs The State Party Survey Initiative and referendum interviews "The essays in this volume present original data and analysis describing the world of campaign consultants. The nine chapters examine and analyze: the diversity and complexity of the consulting business and consultants' attitudes about candidates, voters, political parties, the media, ethics, and the need for reform; the impact of consultants on fundraising, strategy, and communications, and the electoral success of consultants in congressional elections, initiatives, and referenda; and the internationalization of election campaign consultancy and the spread of political consultancy worldwide." "Campaign Warriors illuminates the work of professional political consultants and their growing influence on the electoral process and American democracy."--BOOK JACKET. Title Summary field provided by Blackwell North America, Inc. All Rights Reserved