How the Media Influences Presidential Approval Ratings
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How the Media Influences Presidential Approval Ratings
In 1932 when President Franklin Roosevelt won the election he was already physically disabled and bound to a wheelchair as he had been suffering from polio – a fact that the majority of voters were never aware of as there was little to no media, other than radio at the time. However, in 2008 the United States prepared for the results of the presidential race. Leading up to this point many people had watched, or heard about, many satires made about the Republican candidates, John McCain and Sarah Palin. Many media outlets made a mockery of their personal lives, appearance and speeches – all of which may have contributed to their loss of votes. To some Americans the media seems non-biased, the media does affect how Americans view the presidential candidates.
The media plays an integral part in presidential elections today. It used to be that candidates relied mostly on national media to influence voters, but today more candidates are depending on local media to appeal to their audience. Local media presents candidates with the ability to travel around the country and going face-to-face with the voters. Studies have shown that more Americans watch local news networks for presidential election information than national news programming giving those candidates who are willing to travel the campaign trail more coverage (Presidential Studies Quarterly, 2010).
George W. Bush used the local media approach throughout this presidency. He started out making many appearances throughout his candidacy in 2000 and continued to do so through his presidency. Bush claimed the national media filtered his words and they did not come across properly, so it was important for him to travel across the country to speak in person. Presidential visits are considered rare, and often become a major event for a town. These visits would create positive publicity and attention for the Bush administration whenever he would hold an...
In 1932 when President Franklin Roosevelt won the election he was already physically disabled and bound to a wheelchair as he had been suffering from polio – a fact that the majority of voters were never aware of as there was little to no media, other than radio at the time. However, in 2008 the United States prepared for the results of the presidential race. Leading up to this point many people had watched, or heard about, many satires made about the Republican candidates, John McCain and Sarah Palin. Many media outlets made a mockery of their personal lives, appearance and speeches – all of which may have contributed to their loss of votes. To some Americans the media seems non-biased, the media does affect how Americans view the presidential candidates.
The media plays an integral part in presidential elections today. It used to be that candidates relied mostly on national media to influence voters, but today more candidates are depending on local media to appeal to their audience. Local media presents candidates with the ability to travel around the country and going face-to-face with the voters. Studies have shown that more Americans watch local news networks for presidential election information than national news programming giving those candidates who are willing to travel the campaign trail more coverage (Presidential Studies Quarterly, 2010).
George W. Bush used the local media approach throughout this presidency. He started out making many appearances throughout his candidacy in 2000 and continued to do so through his presidency. Bush claimed the national media filtered his words and they did not come across properly, so it was important for him to travel across the country to speak in person. Presidential visits are considered rare, and often become a major event for a town. These visits would create positive publicity and attention for the Bush administration whenever he would hold an...