The Perfect Tie [Hardcover]

James W. Ceaser (Author), Andrew E. Busch (Author), James Ceaser (Author), Andrew Busch (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0742508358 | ISBN-13: 978-0742508354 | Publication Date: April 11, 2001

In The Perfect Tie: The True Story of the 2000 Presidential Election, James W. Ceaser and Andrew E. Busch continue their study of national elections and their broader implications for American politics and society. With groundbreaking research of electoral politics and penetrating discussions of divided government, independent candidates, party platforms, realignment theory, the electoral college, and campaign strategies, Ceaser and Busch attempt to make sense of the 2000 presidential election. By separating myth from fact in presidential contests and by emphasizing the significance of frequently overlooked issues, such as foreign policy, this book is essential reading for courses in American Government, Campaigns and Elections, and Presidential Politics, as well as for any American interested in the real and lasting importance of the 2000 elections.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

In their third report on presidential campaigns (they've also covered the 1992 and 1996 elections), political scientists Ceaser (Univ. of Virginia) and Busch (Univ. of Denver) present the story of one of the nation's most unusual and perhaps most bizarre elections. In 2000, for the first time, the electorate was evenly divided between Republicans and Democrats; but a full third of the electorate, the "floating voters," were undecided. The trick for Gore or for Bush would have been to maintain their party bases, which both did, while capturing a good percentage of the floating voters, which both failed to do. Hence, the closeness of the election, the (almost) perfect tie. Given the lack of any grand theme or major crisis to give the election definition, much depended on how well the candidates campaigned, and the authors conclude that here Bush did the better job. Oddly, Bush came off more Clintonesque than Gore, who seemed too ravenous to ascend the throne, too vulnerable to attacks alleging that he would rock the economic boat with overly ambitious government projects. The authors cover the ups and downs and ins and outs of the election, but they deal with much more the politics of pre-campaign fund-raising, the dramatic primary challenges of Bradley and McCain, and of course the postelection legal struggles in and about Florida, in which the Supreme Court ultimately intervened. All of this is told in a compelling narrative and clear, if at times overly detailed (they are, after all, political scientists), analysis.

Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

--This text refers to the Paperback edition.

From Library Journal

After pop analysis and pundit pontifications, journalistic rehashing and insider stories, we now have the first, and very first-rate, effort by scholars to study seriously the 2000 presidential election. Ceaser (Losing To Win) and Busch do an excellent job of placing the 2000 election into a broader context of elections and politics in the United States over time. The authors connect this election to elections past by linking the 2000 race to the body of social science research available, and they ask serious questions about what happened and why. This race was interesting not only for the obvious reason of determining "who would win" but, more importantly, because we were confronted with the question of "who would decide who would win." The authors examine the strategies and options available to both campaigns in the post-election confusion with precision and skill. In the end, it was the United States Supreme Court that determined the "who would win" question, and the authors have some interesting and perhaps unconventional spins on the Court's role in this case. This work is ideal for the serious student of politics and elections. Michael A. Genovese, Loyola Marymount Univ., Los Angeles
Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 256 pages
• Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers (April 11, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0742508358
• ISBN-13: 978-0742508354
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.3 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,270,441 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Very Solid, very A political, Very ignored., March 31, 2002

By 

Peter Ingemi (Worcester County, Massachusetts United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Perfect Tie: The True Story of the 2000 Presidential Election (Paperback)

If you want an almost totally unbiased overview of the ENTIRE election of 2000 (including the primary season) this is the definate work on the subject. We have facts presented here IN CONTEXT, and in full. We have some opinions given at the end, but not before the entire history of the primary season, the general election and the post election are given such a solid going over that this should be the FIRST book you read on the subject before you read the books on the left or right.

Unfortunately it seems by the number of reviews and the sales rank of this volume, facts deviod of opinion don't sell. People seem to want to affirm their own beliefs (I plead guilty on occasion) rather that deal with all the facts. As a political junkie, and one with a great love of history. This book feeds me and leaves me full and happy. This is not to say that other books on the election are not worthwhile (I enjoyed Sammon's AT ANY COST, and accepted Greenfield's OH WAITER ONE ORDER OF CROW), some are some aren't but history is made of facts, and facts are what this book delivers.

If you want a complete and fair picture of the 2000 election buy this book, if you want a tilt to affirm the opinion you already have on either side then I urge you to try this as an alternative.

15 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The first ADULT account of the 2000 campaign-and aftermath, August 7, 2001

By 

Joseph Harder (Charlottesville, Virginia) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Perfect Tie: The True Story of the 2000 Presidential Election (Paperback)

James Ceaser and Andrew Busch have been writting thought provoking, scholarly books about U.S. Presidential elections since 1992,and this book is no exception. The Perfect Tie lives up to its subtitle;it is the "true story ' of the presidential election.Anyone who still takes Alan Dershowitz or Vincent Bugliosi seriously should read Ceaser and Busch's clear,dispassionate-and amusing- account of Bush vs. Gore,and of the Suprem Courts reasons for voting as it did.Almost every page of this very fine book contains some insight or bit of information not to be found anywhere else.

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A factual, scholarly account, April 5, 2002

By 

Kevin Beckman (Sacramento, CA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Perfect Tie: The True Story of the 2000 Presidential Election (Paperback)

The authors are professional political scientists, so if you're looking for a book to reaffirm your own prejudices regarding the 2000 election, you ought to look elsewhere. The reading can be a bit dry at times, but if its the facts you want, you'll find them here. This objective book should be read before tackling the more partisan accounts of the election; it will put them in perspective.