Niko Kazanjian
Presidential Politics
12/2/14
The Evolution of Presidential Campaigns and Government-Media Relations
The media has always played an important role in the President’s relationship with the public, but just what kind of affect does it really have on the executive office? The first televised presidential debate in 1960 between John F. Kennedy and Richard Nixon marked the beginning of a new era – the inaugural shift of the media’s role in politics. Since that time, the media has continued to transform the way the president is perceived by the public through print, broadcast, and more recently, social media. All of said outlets have played vital roles in not only a president’s campaign, but also in their presidency and likability throughout their time in office. While the White House is still the source of most presidential news, the media are the shapers of the story and can frame it pretty much any way they want. There used to be limits on certain issues or realms of the presidency that were to remain untouched, however, first amendment freedoms take precedence over almost any restriction the government could try to place on the media. The purpose of this paper is to explore the relationship between the media and the president throughout recent years, looking briefly into the past to establish the scale of the dramatic change, and to study their reciprocal connection of how each utilizes the other.
Looking Back On September 26, 1960, the first of
The form in which political parties campaign has changed over time. And, there are many explanations historians provide describing the evolution of campaigns over time. In the present days, there is no doubt social media such as Facebook and Twitter has changed the game; these tools allow presidential nominees to reach far more people than ever before. It also allows the candidate to talk to people without filtration. In the last decade, the goal of the campaign focuses more on demoralizing the contestants than addressing real issues.
“Since media are part of the political class and talk mostly to the political class, the myth of popular polarization took root and grew.” (Fiorina, Abrams, Pope, 2005, p. 167). Recently media has played a huge role in the country’s politic; they share information, report events, and frame opinions.
Television has been influential in United States presidential elections since the 1960’s. But just what is this influence, and how has it affected who is elected? Has it made elections fairer and more accessible, or has it moved candidates from pursuing issues to pursuing image? The media only impacts the American Society, especially for the presidential election as it increases the talks in politics and gives the president a higher role to follow. The television race captures more popularity than what a citizen is actually voting for.
This started off by just a newspaper . Early politicians saw the value and the importance of basing campaigns around this important media device. The newspapers back then were extremely bias due to the rich only being able to read and then publishers were apart of this upper class. Even then many of the readers could not vote due to not owning property. Another source of bias came from the fact that newspapers were openly partisan. The use of newspapers could also affect politicians in an very positive or negative way. With the relatively newfound use of this media format, politicians had to watch what they said or else if an newspaper or leaflet came upon the incriminating thing or items it could spread like wildfire. Another tool of the media that is accessible …. Some presidents found a key way to wrap up the media around them in support. This was how the “Rhetorical Presidency” was born. Since the very beginning, presidents have struggled to influence Congress to pass their agenda. George Washington, in a fit of frustration after delivering his policy proposals, vowed never to go back to Congress. Presidents sought to use the media to spread their plan if congress did not approve. They would bring it to the
Presidential candidates have power over how they’re shown in TV, whereas before TV they didn’t have much choice but to show up and campaign to just be the best leader they can persuade others that they’ll be. Source A explains the immediate contact the media can give, it can penetrate people’s mind and get viewers like never before, but just because that’s available doesn’t mean it’s the best option on how to portray our presidential elections. If anything, maybe television made the viewers feel closer a few decades ago, but now it’s nearly a barrier we can’t get past, so instead the television‘s impact on showing presidential elections has given the elections a negative impact. No one wants to watch short answered arguments where quality of imagine does better than the impact of your real words and actions. All the TV has done is go for someone’s image, quick answers, and the unfocused aspect of what truly matters, if your president is who will make your world a better place or
Mass communication became the primary tool of American’s and was utilized to better understand political issues and familiarize themselves with the personal characteristics of presidential candidates. Television was used, in particular, for campaigning, speeches, and governing; television became the primary medium of all communication in American politics. Presidential communication to the public has evolved from face-to-face speechmaking to impersonal television broadcasts, and Ronald Reagan became the primetime president through the carefully orchestrated use of the media. Reagan conformed to the use of television to gain access to the general public.
Kennedy was a handsome, young, calm, and confident man. His opponent, Nixon, appeared pale and sickly from recent hospitalization. He sported a plain-gray suit that blended with the television backdrop and a scruffy five-o’clock shadow. As far as appearance is concerned, John Kennedy won this debate by a landslide—Nixon didn't even come close. Additionally, Kennedy’s confident public speaking ability and poised nature would go on to further establish his credibility as a knowledgable, elected official. Oddly enough, those who listened to the debate on the radio thought Nixon had won. However, at this point in 1960, only 10% of American households did not have televisions—an astonishing figure. Now, by the estimated 74 million individuals to tune into watch this first “Great Debate”, Kennedy was considered to be the clear winner. Arguably, John F. Kennedy won the presidency that night. As mentioned previously, these Kennedy-Nixon debates had a major impact on the election’s outcome, but, more importantly, it marked the beginning of a new era in which public images, relations, and media exposure became indispensable components to successful political campaigns, specifically presidential
With the 2016 election in full throttle, Kennedy and Nixon’s presidential debates of 1960 are still very much a part of American democracy. Televised presidential debates have become a backbone in an American election. Although these debates are now considered a norm in American politics, this has not always the case. Even after the first time a presidential debate was held between presidential candidates from across the aisle, it took another 16 years for another debate to occur. It is highly doubtful that either Nixon or Kennedy, much less anyone else of that time period, would have been able to foresee the effects of their debate. The presidential debates between Kennedy and Nixon have shape American politics for what seemed like the better but as more and more research is published, this claim is starting to fall apart. While presidential debates offer the public a chance to compare and contrast the Republican and Democratic presidential candidate, they have an impact on viewers that is not always positive. Rather, televised presidential debates impact voters across the aisle and throughout levels of political awareness. An in-depth look at the history of televised presidential debates and their impact on viewers could answer the question of whether televised presidential debates should remain a central part of the modern American democracy.
The introduction of mass media, especially electronic media, has had a huge impact on the role of the president. Both the press and the president now depend on one another for existence. Richard Nixon was the first president to effectively use television. By making public appearances on TV, talking about his policies, his economic plans and his personal beliefs, Nixon garnered the support of the American public (PBS). By personifying himself for the American public Nixon made himself the first president elected for his character rather than a party for its views, thus changing the face of politics forever. Eisenhower was the first to let the press into the White House and found himself arranging his workday around the press so that he could make important announcements in time for the evening news, thus informing the American people immediately about what was going on. Kennedy, above all, was able to use television to his advantage. He showed that charisma, and amiability was the most essential thing in a TV president. The American people watched Kennedy and for the first time felt that they personally knew and liked their president. This changed the media as it caused people to believe in and trust their president implicitly (Museum Archives). The presidential debate in 1992 furthered this idea. Bill Clinton and George Bush met with a group of average Americans who questioned them. After this, morning talk shows, and
During the 1960 presidential campaign, a new medium was introduced that would completely change the public's view on politics: television. This "First Mass Media Election" required candidates to be aware of their image and how they portrayed themselves to the general public. While Richard Nixon tended to struggle with this throughout the campaign, John F. Kennedy seemed to be a master at conveying confidence and leadership simply through his demeanor.
1.Analyze the evolution of the American political system. Be sure to include one individual or document that influenced the Constitution and one change in the federal system.
The media, a powerful source of information but what are the affects? While the media is seen by many as a vital source of information offered through a variety of different outlets, the theoretical underlining affects of the media demonstrates how stories from within it can influence society. The imprtance of not only recongnizing but understanding the media’s affects remains a vital priority in all forms of information today in how it is received and interpretated by different audiences. The level of effect of the media however, has been disputed heavingly, as with different forms of media such as online have developed a different affect for the mass media consumer. When regarding the level of effect the media holds, the 2016 Presidential campaign presents a prominent case study that shows a limiting affect of the mass media that
In campaigning, media coverage plays a large role for candidates. They use the media to make their name heard and image seen. “Nearly everything a candidate does is geared toward the media, especially television” (Stuckey, 1999, p. 99) Candidates make appearances on talk shows,
In sharp contrast to past elections when candidates campaigned in-person, the 2016 election has been significantly mediated through mass media. With such a large influence on voters, the media not only determines which issues and events are salient in voters’ minds, but also how voters evaluate candidates. Moreover, media coverage, depending on its content, can influence whether voters think about candidates in terms of campaign issues or candidate attributes.
Political campaigns are very significant in American politics and elections. It is the period before the electorate makes political decisions in the form of elections. The attention of the citizens towards politics intensifies as the date of the elections draws near. The salience of voters improves as the election date draws near and could manifest in the form of increased media attention. Political discussions, campaign interest, strength of the intention to vote, and knowledge about the candidates are other manifestations of increased salience of voters. Another indication of improved intensity is the effort put by the candidates and their political parties in the campaigns. Parties increase their efforts in the