U.S. Presidential Elections

An examination of the importance of debate in the 2004 presidential election.

An examination of the importance of debate in the 2004 presidential election.

Exploration of negative ads, including the Swift Boat Veterans against Kerry. Exploration of 527s.

Last week, John Kerry chose John Edwards (D-NC) as his running mate to no one’s surprise. Others considered for the slot were Iowa Governor Tom Vilsack, Missouri Representative Dick Gephardt, and Arizona Senator John McCain.

At the end of Desert Storm in 1991, President George H. W. Bush enjoyed approval ratings in the high 80s only to lose the 1992 reelection to Governor Bill Clinton (D-AR). Will President George W. Bush’s new war effort in Iraq affect his reelection the same way?

a brief synopsis of the life and political career of former President Ronald Reagan, who died on June 5, 2004

The relationship between gas prices and the presidential election. Will four dollars a gallon inspire cynical voters who stopped voting to make a comeback?

An examination of the possible uses and misuses of attack ads in the 2004 presidential election.

Can either candidate improve their standings by tapping into local politics?

The 2004 presidential election has remarkable similarites and historical underpinnings in the elections of 1988 and 1992. I have set forth some of the ways in which the economy, taxes, and military service have affected all three elections.