Campaign Warriors: Political Consultants in Elections [Paperback]

James A. Thurber (Editor), Candice J. Nelson (Editor)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 1, 2000

Campaign politics has become increasingly professionalized in recent years. The growing prevalence and influence of paid consultants in the United States and other democracies is one of the most important factors changing the nature of electoral politics. Campaign Warriors thoroughly examines this criticaland controversialdevelopment and its impact on the political system in the U.S. and other countries. The contributors approach the topic from several different perspectives, including the increasing use of " spin doctors" and the resulting loss of influence of state and national political parties. The book investigates the role of these paid advisers: who they are, what they do and why, and how they feel about their work. The contributors discuss the consultants relationship with candidates and parties, and analyze the effect of their efforts on election outcomes.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

James A. Thurber is professor of government and director of the Center for Congressional and Presidential Studies at American University. He is also principal investigator on the Pew Charitable Trusts' "Improving Campaign Conduct" project, from which this volume emerges. Candice J. Nelson is associate professor of government and the academic director of the Campaign Management Institute at American University.

Product Details

• Paperback: 228 pages
• Publisher: Brookings Institution Press (March 1, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0815784538
• ISBN-13: 978-0815784531
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,680,932 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Warrior of a Book, December 2, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Campaign Warriors: Political Consultants in Elections (Paperback)

Very rarely does any book delve into the mysterious world of the political consultant; in fact, these key players are merely treated as scenery by many other accounts. Thurber and Nelson's account suggests otherwise. CAMPAIGN WARRIORS is a compilation of articles that probes deeply into both the professional and personal lives of these political workers. The book takes a comprehensive approach to the study of the political consultant, analyzing the ultimate effect that they have on the electoral and decision-making process. Party relations, the amount of money available to political campaigns, and the degree of professionalization in House elections are all factors that are explored through the mention of consultants. An appendix in the book focuses on consultants as a demographic group. The prose is a bit technical at times, but only when discussing relevant statistics that the authors have acquired through surveys conducted at local, state, and national levels. However, that the authors were able to shed so much light on the doings of these behind-the-scenes workers in only 200 pages, makes this book all in all a good read.

5.0 out of 5 stars Good View Behind The People Behind The Candidates, May 25, 2010

By 

Dr. Cardinal "Cardinal Bound!!!!" (Free of the Mountains!!!!!) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Campaign Warriors: Political Consultants in Elections (Paperback)

This is a good book because it adds to a body of literature that has been somewhat neglected. The world of political consultants has been cast in a shadowy world that appears to be more glamorous than it actually is. Sabato tried to uncover this world, but only offered a handful of stories cast in anecdote. The chapters in this book offer more interviews and empirical evidence that makes the Sabato book seem lightweight. Reading this book, you will become informed about the difficult path laying before aspiring consultants. You will see how personal connections matter in this world, and the skills needed to get ahead. This book is great because it illustrates all of this information in a very readable tome. Get it and get informed.