A Defining Moment: The Presidential Election of 2004: The Presidential Election of 2004

Set against the backdrop of the war in Iraq, drastically altered relations with traditional U.S. allies, intense partisanship, and a national debate over moral values, the 2004 presidential campaign presented voters with a clear choice that reflected deep divisions within the country. This collection analyzes this watershed election, and its likely consequences. The contributors examine every aspect of the election, including the strategies and tactics of the Bush and Kerry campaigns, voter turnout and policy consequences, campaign financing, and the power of incumbency.

Table of Contents:
Part 1 The Context; Chapter 1 The Bush Presidency, William Crotty; Chapter 2 Constituencies and the Consequences of the Presidential Vote, Richard J. Powell, Mark D. Brewer; Part 2 The Presidential Campaign and Congressional Races; Chapter 3 Political Participation in the 2004 Presidential Election, M. Margaret Conway; Chapter 4 The Inevitable Unanticipated Consequences of Political Reform, Christine L. Day, Charles D. Hadley, Harold W. Stanley; Chapter 5 Financing the 2004 Presidential Election, William Crotty; Chapter 6 The Presidential Race of 2004, Patricia Conley; Chapter 7 Incumbency, Politics, and Policy, Jerome M. Mileur; Chapter 8 The 2004 Congressional Races, John S. JacksonIII; Part 3 Conclusions; Chapter 9 Holy Owned Subsidiary, Thomas Ferguson; Chapter 10 The Armageddon Election, John Kenneth White; Chapter 11 Armageddon, Just Another Campaign, or Something In-Between?, William Crotty;

Review :
"William Crotty has assembled a brilliant group of contributors.... Clearly written, with superb charts and graphs, this splendid anthology covers all aspects of this hard-fought campaign, and gives the reader a satisfying combination of solid political science research and compelling narrative. It is, without question, the definitive reader on the 2004 election and is not likely to be surpassed." - Ross K. Baker, Rutgers University "A comprehensive assessment of the 2004 presidential election. The overarching strategies of the campaigns, the issue agendas of the candidates, the constituencies they mobilized, turnout, financing, the congressional elections, and likely policy consequences of Bush's win are solidly covered in the collection. The voting data and recounting of campaign events are likely to make it a handy reference for many of us and a readable and solid text for courses in political parties, campaigns, or voting and elections." - John R. Petrocik, University of Missouri, Columbia"