Presidential campaigns are our national conversations the widespread and
complex communication of issues, images, social reality, and personas.
In 2004, more people participated in the conversation, as voter numbers
in every demographic group increased to levels of the 1970s. Here,
political communication specialists break down the 2004 presidential
campaign and go beyond the quantitative facts, electoral counts, and
poll results of the election. Factoring in everything from "527" groups
to Fahrenheit 9/11, they look at the early campaign period, the
nomination process and conventions, the social and political context,
the debates, the role of candidate spouses, candidate strategies,
political advertising, and the use of the Internet. This enlightening
book shows why more technology doesn't always mean more effective
communication and how, as we attempt to make sense of our environment,
we collect "political bits" of communication that comprise our voting
choices, worldviews, and legislative desires."