Table of Contents

An Introduction to Campaigns and Elections, American Style
David A. Dulio, Candice J. Nelson and James A. Thurber

PART I Campaign Rules and Actors

1 US Democracy Survives a Challenge
Chris Sautter

2 Redistricting and Reapportionment in U.S. Elections
Stephen K. Medvic

3 Outside Money and Inside Policy: Campaign Finance in Federal Election
R. Sam Garrett

4 The Role of Political Parties
David A. Dulio and John S. Klemanski

PART II Campaign Context

5 Campaign Management: The Key Elements of a Campaign
Anne Caprara

6 The Uses and Challenges of Survey Research in Election Campaigns
Glen Bolger

7 Primaries: The Key to Understanding Party Factions in American Politics
Elaine C. Kamarck

PART III The Dynamics of the Campaign

8 Microtargeting and Big Data
Tom Bonier

9 Paid Media
Terrance Green

10 How Digital Changed the Political Landscape
Scott Goodstein

11 The Changing Dynamics of Campaign Media: Earned and Owned
Ron Elving

12 Field Organizing in Political Campaigns
Alicia Kolar Prevost

Conclusion
Candice J. Nelson, James A. Thurber and David A. Dulio

About the Author

Candice J. Nelson is Professor of Government, and Academic Director of the Campaign Management Institute at American University.

James A. Thurber is Distinguished University Professor Emeritus of Government, and Founder and former Director of the Center for Congressional and Presidential Studies at American University.

David A. Dulio is Distinguished Professor of Political Science and Director of the Center for Civic Engagement at Oakland University.

Reviews

Praise for Campaigns and Elections American StyleBy combining insights from academic research on campaigns with first-hand experiences of campaign practitioners, Campaigns and Elections American Style provides a comprehensive and enlightening account of contemporary political campaigns at every level.Rachel Bitecofer, Christopher Newport UniversityNelson and Thurber have assembled an excellent team of authors to help us understand prior elections and also train our sights on future elections. A distinct element of the book is the cutting-edge, insightful chapters by those actually doing the work of running campaigns, while being grounded in expert academic work. Together, they provide strong coverage of phenomena old and new to place campaigns in the broader context of American government: the use of big data, social media, and substantial unpaid-for traditional media; campaign finance, major donors, Super PACs, and 501(c) organizations; and polling, campaign management, the ground game, parties, and redistricting.David Magleby, Brigham Young UniversityThurber and Nelson’s text is an important resource that brings together perspectives of both academics and experienced campaign professionals to make the case "that campaigns matter." While these insights consider the influence of recent changes in digital technology, data, and social media in an increasingly polarized society, they also connect their analysis of key variables – the political context, voters, messaging, and money -- to the fundamentals of successful political campaigns.Amy E. Jasperson, Rhodes College

Praise for Campaigns and Elections American StyleBy combining insights from academic research on campaigns with first-hand experiences of campaign practitioners, Campaigns and Elections American Style provides a comprehensive and enlightening account of contemporary political campaigns at every level.Rachel Bitecofer, Christopher Newport UniversityNelson and Thurber have assembled an excellent team of authors to help us understand prior elections and also train our sights on future elections. A distinct element of the book is the cutting-edge, insightful chapters by those actually doing the work of running campaigns, while being grounded in expert academic work. Together, they provide strong coverage of phenomena old and new to place campaigns in the broader context of American government: the use of big data, social media, and substantial unpaid-for traditional media; campaign finance, major donors, Super PACs, and 501(c) organizations; and polling, campaign management, the ground game, parties, and redistricting.David Magleby, Brigham Young UniversityThurber and Nelson’s text is an important resource that brings together perspectives of both academics and experienced campaign professionals to make the case "that campaigns matter." While these insights consider the influence of recent changes in digital technology, data, and social media in an increasingly polarized society, they also connect their analysis of key variables – the political context, voters, messaging, and money -- to the fundamentals of successful political campaigns.Amy E. Jasperson, Rhodes College