American presidential debates have traditionally created mixed reviews. Advocates have praised the debates as a way of making issues more central to the campaign, however others have criticized them as little more than joint press conferences. How important are these debates? Do they really test knowledge and vision? Do they sort good ideas from bad, or reveal important character traits? In short, do they provide American voters with what they need to know to choose a President? The authors address these questions and place contemporary debates in their cultural and historical context, tracing their origins and development in the American political system from the 18th century to the present.
- ISBN10 019505539X
- ISBN13 9780195055399
- Publish Date 13 October 1988
- Publish Status Out of Print
- Out of Print 12 January 1995
- Publish Country US
- Imprint Oxford University Press Inc
- Format Hardcover
- Pages 272
- Language English