Seeing Spots: A Functional Analysis of Presidential Television Advertisements, 1952-1996 (Praeger Series in Political Communication (Hardcover))

Benoit provides a comprehensive analysis of presidential television spots from every campaign that used this important message form, from the 1952 campaign through the last national campaign in 1996. More than 1,600 presidential spots are analyzed, from both primary and general campaigns. Republican, Democratic, and third party candidate advertisements are analyzed. He uses the Functional Theory of Political Campaign Discourse, analyzing themes in spots as acclaims (self-praise), attacks (criticism), and defenses (responses to attacks). Themes are classified according to topic. Each of these topics is broken down further (policy: past deeds, future plans, general goals; character: personal qualities, leadership ability, ideals). Contrasts are made between spots from Republicans and Democrats as well as third parties, incumbents and challengers, and winners and losers. The spots from candidates who led, trailed, or were in close races also are contrasted. Spots are becoming more negative over time, Benoit concludes, in both primary and general campaigns. General campaigns are more negative than primary campaigns, Democrats are more negative than Republicans, and challengers are more negative than incumbents. There are no differences between winners and losers. However, candidates who trailed throughout the campaign were most negative, while candidates in close races were most positive. An important analysis for scholars and researchers in political communication and American presidential politics. Annotation Benoit provides a comprehensive analysis of presidential spots from the inception of this important message form in 1952 through the most recent national campaign in 1996. He includes both primary and general spots as well as those from third party candidates A study of presidential television spots from 1952 to 1996. More than 1600 spots are covered, from both primary and general campaigns. It uses the Functional Theory of Political Campaign Discourse, analyzing themes in spots such as acclaims, attacks and defences This chapter provides background on presidential television advertising. Annotation Analyzes presidential television spots from 1952 through 1996