News Media Coverage of the Vice-Presidential Selection Process

This book provides the first systematic, empirical analysis of the media's approach to US vice-presidential selection (or the veepstakes). In their news coverage, Devine finds that media outlets typically treat vice-presidential selection as little more than a gameby focusing on how potential running mates might help to win the election, rather than how they might help the next president to govern. Based on an original content analysis of hundreds of veepstakes profiles from 20002020, this book quantifies the news media's relative emphasis on various selection criteria, in general and across different electoral circumstances. The analysis suggests that journalists generally fail to serve the public interest by emphasizing electoral over governing considerations. However, Devine also points to positive examples of media coverage that help the public to evaluate potential running mates' governing credentials, and suggests ways in which scholars, journalists, and citizens might encourage media outlets to provide more substantive, responsible coverage of the vice-presidential selection process in future elections.

Demonstrates that the news media devote too much attention to electoral considerations evaluating VP candidates Explains the importance of veepstakes media coverage, highlighting the media's role in vetting candidates Provides the first systematic analysis of veepstakes media coverage, a novel dataset of such coverage

Autorentext

Christopher J. Devine is Associate Professor of Political Science at the University of Dayton, USA. He is the co-author of two books on vice-presidential candidates, including Do Running Mates Matter? The Influence of Vice Presidential Candidates in Presidential Elections (with Kyle C. Kopko). This research has been cited by numerous US and international media outlets. Devine also has published extensively on other topics relating to campaigns and elections, public opinion, and the U.S. presidency, including the forthcoming book on presidential campaign visits, I'm Here to Ask for Your Vote.

Klappentext

This book provides the first systematic, empirical analysis of the mediäs approach to US vice-presidential selection (or the veepstakes ). In their news coverage, Devine finds that media outlets typically treat vice-presidential selection as little more than a game by focusing on how potential running mates might help to win the election, rather than how they might help the next president to govern. Based on an original content analysis of hundreds of veepstakes profiles from 2000 2020, this book quantifies the news mediäs relative emphasis on various selection criteria, in general and across different electoral circumstances. The analysis suggests that journalists generally fail to serve the public interest by emphasizing electoral over governing considerations. However, Devine also points to positive examples of media coverage that help the public to evaluate potential running mates governing credentials, and suggests ways in which scholars, journalists, and citizens might encourage media outlets to provide more substantive, responsible coverage of the vice-presidential selection process in future elections.

Inhalt
Chapter 1. Introduction.- Chapter 2. How the Veepstakes Came to Be.- Chapter 3. Studying the Veepstakes.- Chapter 4. Veepstakes Media Coverage, 2000-2016.- Chapter 5. Veepstakes Media Coverage, 2020.- Chapter 6. Conclusion.