Out of Order

Patterson, Thomas E.

ISBN 10: 0679755101 / ISBN 13: 9780679755104

Published by Random House, Inc. - Vintage Books, New York, 1994

About this Item

309 Pages Indexed. An incisive and boldly original critique of the news media's domination of Ameerica's political process. Since Watergate the road to the presidency has led through the newsrooms, which in turn impose their own values on American politics. The results are campaigns that resemble inquisitins or contests in which the candidates' game plans are considered more important than their goals. Lucid and ahhoristic, historically informed and as timely as a satellite feed, the author mounts a devastating inquest into the press's hijacking of the campaign process---and shows what citizens and legislators can do to win it back. Contents in 6 Chapters: Prologue-Truth and Falsehood on the Campaign Trail, TehMiscast Institution, Of Schemas Game and Governing, Images of the Game They Play, Reporters' Issues versus Candidates' Issues, News Truth and That State of Nature We Call Election Coverage, and How to To Fix the Campaign- Shorten It. Plus Bibliography, Postscript, and Notes. Seller Inventory # 6261

Bibliographic Details

Title: Out of Order

Publisher: Random House, Inc. - Vintage Books, New York

Publication Date: 1994

Binding: Trade Paperback

Condition: Very Good

Edition: 7th Printing

About this title

Synopsis:

Why are our politicians almost universally perceived as liars? What made candidate Bill Clinton's draft record more newsworthy than his policy statements? How did George Bush's masculinity, Ronald Reagan's theatrics with a microphone, and Walter Mondale's appropriation of a Wendy's hamburger ad make or break their presidential campaigns?

Ever since Watergate, says Thomas E. Patterson, the road to the presidency has led through the newsrooms, which in turn impose their own values on American politics. The results are campaigns that resemble inquisitions or contests in which the candidates' game plans are considered more important than their goals. Lucid and aphoristic, historically informed and as timely as a satellite feed, Out of Order mounts a devastating inquest into the press's hijacking of the campaign process -- and shows what citizens and legislators can do to win it back.

Review:

"Out of Order pulls no punches. It is a serious, challenging, controversial critique of the press as an 800-pound gorilla, an increasingly arrogant player in presidential campaigning." -- Marvin Kalb, John F. Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University