From Whistle Stop to Sound Bite: Four Decades of Politics and Television

Sig Mickelson, former president of CBS News and pioneer in television coverage of political events, gives an eyewitness account of Television's complicated interaction with the U.S. political system. From Whistle Stop to Sound Bite explores the origins of the relationship between television and politics and offers an analysis of the factors that led to the decline of substance in the political campaign. With a fine eye for detail and many years of political coverage experience behind him, Mickelson probes four decades of TV history and defines the changes that this new media has wrought on the political scene. Television and politics would seem to have been made for each other, Sig Mickelson was there as a major figure at their first meeting. It might be said he introduced them. Here is his carefully documented account of their frequently stormy courtship--and his cogent analysis of the flaws and dangers in the unbreakable marriage. The book is fascinating, profound, and important. Walter Cronkite ... a superb and useful study that substantially informs our understanding of the role of television and modern politics. Everette E. Dennis ... an important book--filled with insight, wisdom, and value. Newton Minnow Sig Mickelson, former president of CBS News and pioneer in television coverage of political events, gives an eyewitness account of television's complicated interation with the U.S. political system. From Whistle Stop to Sound Bite explores the origins of the relationship between television and politics and offers an analysis of the factors that led to the decline of substance in the political campaign. With a fine eye for detail and many years of political coverage experience behind him, Mickelson probes four decades of TV history and defines the changes that this new media has wrought on the political scene: bright hopes for debate that were dimmed as candidates took control of the media machinery; the weakening of the party structure as television, rather than the party, became the candidate's link with the public; and the decline of the convention. Mickelson recounts events from the days of early television when the fledgling medium was testing the political waters, eventually opting for full immersion. By placing the origins of television's relationships with politics and politicians under close surveillance, writes Mickelson, we may equip ourselves with better tools to assess the merits and weaknesses of the present system and to better analyze proposed remedial measures. Professional and student journalists, communications specialists, political managers, candidates and potential candidates as well as the general reader interested in television and politics will find valuable information here about television's indelible mark on the U.S. political system.

Table of Contents:
Introduction The Dream and the Reality In the Beginning Television's Great Leap Forward The Struggle for Parity with Print Remaking the Campaign What Hath Television Wrought? The Rocky Romance The Will and Intent to Be Objective An Eight-Year Campaign Pays Off The Numbers Game The Triumph of Imagery The Frustrated Dream Bibliography Index

About the Author :
SIG MICKELSON is VanDeerlin Professor of Communications at San Diego State University, and former President of CBS News. Mr. Mickelson was also President of Radio Free Europe and Radio Liberty, Inc.

Review :
." . . a superb and useful study that substantially informs our understanding of the role of television and modern politics."-Everette E. Dennis, Gannett Center for Media Studies "Sig Mickelson has a unique understanding of the intersection of television and politics. His perspective, based on many years of experience as a top-notch television journalist and executive, has singular depth and breadth. Sig has written an important book--filled with insight, wisdom, and value."-Newton Minnow, former Chairman, Federal Communications Commission "Television and politics would seem to have been made for each other. Sig Mickelson was there as a major figure at their first meeting. It might be said he introduced them. Here is his carefully documented account of their frequently stormy courtship--and his cogent analysis of the flaws and dangers in the unbreakable marriage. The book is fascinating, profound, and important."-Walter Cronkite