Table of Contents

List of Figures, Acknowledgements Chapter 1. Introduction Chapter 2: "A White House that’s Built for Two": Domesticity and Gender Performance in the Campaign Communications of the 1950s Chapter 3: The Patriarch and the PT:109: John F. Kennedy and the Construction of Autonomy Chapter 4: "Unafraid, Unashamed, and Unsurpassed": Retrieving American Masculinity and National Futurity in the Presidential Elections of the 1980s Chapter 5: An Era of Eros: First Ladies as Assets and Liabilities in the late 20th Century Chapter 6: Moynihan, Michelle, and Dreams From My Father: Fighting Otherness with Gender Chapter 7: "Trump That Bitch": Masculinity and Backlash in the 2016 Presidential Campaign Chapter 8: Conclusion Index

About the Author

Aidan Smith is an Administrative Assistant Professor for Advancement Communications at Tulane University, USA. She holds degrees in American Studies and Mass Communication, and her research interests include the social and cultural history of the twentieth century, media studies, and gender theory.

Reviews

'This fascinating analysis of the gendered politics of the US Presidency is well researched, cogently argued and very timely. Smith explores how Presidential campaigns evolved from the television age masculine 'war heroes' of the 1950s and '60s to the social media backlash politics that destabilized and defeated Hillary Clinton.'Daniel Conway, Senior Lecturer in Politics and International Relations, University of Westminster, UK‘Smith moves effortlessly between gender theory, media studies, history, sociology, and political science to explain the nation's historic investment in a masculine presidency and the use of television to broadcast that commitment from the Eisenhower era to our own time. Written with clarity and verve, this book is essential reading for anyone with an interest in the American presidency. In the age of Trump, Smith’s insights show us how much is at stake.’Liette Gidlow, Associate Professor, Department of History, Wayne State University, US