In this third edition of their study of the political commerical, or "polispot", veteran media analysts Edwin Diamond and Stephen Bates reveal the backstage stories of the 1988 presidential campaign - the Ailes-Atwater media mastery, the Dukakis team's babel of TV voices, Willie Horton's transformation from convict to celebrity. The authors take a close critical look at the key political ads of 1988 and 1990, with particular attention to the subtexts directed at voters' racial attitudes and fears. They also preview the 30-second arguments and attacks of the 1992 media campaign. In a new chapter, Diamond and Bates examine the case against spots. They take a look at the societal ills that critics have blamed on TV campaigns, including mudslinging, misrepresentation, and malaise. They evaluate the proposals to ban or severely restrict the spot. They also assess the growing press scrutiny of TV campaigns, such as the use of "truth boxes" in newspapers.
- ISBN10 0262041308
- ISBN13 9780262041300
- Publish Date 1 January 1992 (first published 16 May 1984)
- Publish Status Out of Stock
- Out of Print 28 February 2001
- Publish Country US
- Publisher MIT Press Ltd
- Imprint MIT Press
- Edition 3rd Revised edition
- Format Hardcover
- Pages 432
- Language English