The persuadable voter : wedge issues in presidential campaigns /

In their outstanding study, Hillygus (Harvard Univ.) and Shields (Univ. of Arkansas) take what appears to be a singular topic--how wedge issues affect presidential campaigns--and fully develop a theoretical and empirical analysis of presidential campaigns, voting behavior, electoral strategies, and message framing. Not only do the authors present a solid justification as to why campaigns matter, but they advance the research in candidate strategies, voter preferences, the information environment surrounding voter preferences, and the broader normative implications of isolating messages and issues on electoral accountability and democratic governing in the US. Through both qualitative and quantitative analyses, the authors present challenging and convincing arguments as to why candidates seek to divide and conquer voters, as well as which voters are most receptive to these tactics. Scholars and those interested in a broader understanding of the impact of modern US campaigns, and how candidates and voters react, should have this book and Lau and Redlawsk's How Voters Decide (CH, Jan'07, 44-2956) readily at hand. This work alone should expand the field of research on campaigns, elections, and voter behavior to new areas. Summing Up: Highly recommended. Upper-division undergraduate, graduate, and research collections. J. Michael Bitzer Catawba College