The Evolution of Presidential Polling - Softcover

Eisinger, Robert M.

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0521017009 ISBN 13: 9780521017008

Publisher: Cambridge University Press, 2003

Synopsis

The Evolution of Presidential Polling is a book about presidential power and autonomy. Since Roosevelt, virtually all presidents have employed private polls in some capacity. This book attempts to explain how presidential polling evolved from a rarely conducted secretive enterprise, to a commonplace event that is now considered an integral part of the presidency. Professor Eisinger contends that because presidents do not trust institutions such as Congress, the media and political parties - all of which also gauge public opinion - they opt to gain autonomy from these institutions by conducting private polls to be read and interpreted solely for themselves.

About this title

Review

"[A] pioneering book...illuminates the field with an inventive and rigorous research agenda." Brandon Rottinghaus, University of Idaho, Public Opinion Quarterly

"After Eisinger's book, it will be hard to write a history of the modern American presidency or of contemporary American politics without taking into account of how presidential policy making really gets done." Stanley B. Greenberg, CEO, Greenberg Quinlan Rosner Reasearch and Pollster for President Clinton.

"Robert M. Eisinger's, The Evolution of Presidential Polling provides the single most comprehensive and clear exposition to date of the changing role of the presidential political pollster. He convincingly demonstrates that as presidents acquired a reliable and timely listening ear to the voice of the public, key power relationships between themselves and the Congress, the media, and the parties were permanently altered." Richard B. Wirthlin, Chairman, Wirthlin Worldwide

"Eisinger researches in impressive depth the use of pols from FDR through Clinton.... Recommended." Choice

Book Description

The Evolution of Presidential Polling is a book about presidential power and autonomy. Since Roosevelt, virtually all presidents have employed private polls in some capacity. This book explains how presidential polling evolved as presidents sought to gain autonomy from the institutions that measure public opinion by conducting their own polls.

Edition details

• Publisher: Cambridge University Press
• Publication date: 2003
• ISBN 10: 0521017009
• ISBN 13: 9780521017008
• Binding: Paperback
• Language: English
• Number of pages: 228