The 2012 Presidential Election
Forecasts, Outcomes, and Consequences
Contributions by Robert S. Erikson, Eric M. Uslaner, David P. Redlawsk, James D. King, James W. Riddlesperger, Jeffrey E. Cohen, Jon R. Bond, Richard Fleisher Edited by Amnon Cavari, Richard Powell, Kenneth Mayer
Publication date:
30 October 2013Length of book:
202 pagesPublisher
Rowman & Littlefield PublishersISBN-13: 9781442226487
Though many analyses of the 2012 presidential election have emerged, none can match this collection's depth, diversity, or ability to critically and soundly argue where American politics will go from this point forward. This volume includes some of the most recognized scholars in the field and innovative younger scholars who provide a fresh perspective on the election. It is a diverse and award winning group, including established and respected names in presidency studies, political psychology, and election forecasting.
The contributions address a wide range of subjects, from the accuracy of pre-election forecasts, the effect of the election on relations between Obama and congressional leaders, the effect of race and religion on the outcome, the consequences for the Republican Party, and prospects for leadership in a second term. Rather than a simplistic account of what happened during the campaign, the volume will contribute to our understanding of significant questions about the presidency, voting behavior, political parties, and elections.
The contributions address a wide range of subjects, from the accuracy of pre-election forecasts, the effect of the election on relations between Obama and congressional leaders, the effect of race and religion on the outcome, the consequences for the Republican Party, and prospects for leadership in a second term. Rather than a simplistic account of what happened during the campaign, the volume will contribute to our understanding of significant questions about the presidency, voting behavior, political parties, and elections.
Many stories could be told about the 2012 presidential election. Cavari, Powell, and Mayer have collected several early analyses of that election in this edited volume. The book, the result of an academic conference in early 2013, examines some important facets of the most recent race for the presidency, including the preferences of various ethnic and religious voting groups, voter partisanship and party loyalty, and the consequences of Obama's victory for White House and party politics. . . .[T]he chapters offer valuable insights and analyses. Robert Erickson's chapter, for instance, explains persuasively the election's (highly) predictive outcome and provides a useful primer on the factors that best predict elections. The essay by David Redlawsk, Caroline Tolbert, and Natasha McNeely uses original survey data to demonstrate the degree that 'symbolic racism' influenced voter preferences. In short, The 2012 Presidential Election makes an important contribution to the understanding of Obama's reelection and its aftermath. Summing Up: Recommended. Upper-division undergraduate, graduate, and research collections.