Is there a spin doctor in the house? The impact of political consultants in congressional campaigns
Abstract
This study explores the impact of political consultants in congressional elections. I begin by setting contemporary campaign consulting in an historical context. A theory of consultant influence, called the "Theory of Deliberate Priming," is then developed. With a theoretical foundation in place, I move to an empirical investigation of consultant use and influence in congressional elections. Using an original data set of my creation, I first establish the level of consultant use in House races in 1990 and 1992. Separate chapters on the impact of consultants on a candidate's share of the vote are presented for incumbent/challengers and open seat races. Next, various consultant effects are tested, including those on a candidate's chance of winning or losing, on candidates' abilities to raise money, on campaign efficiency, and on turnout. I conclude with a discussion of the normative implications of the findings with regard to democratic theory.
Degree
Ph.D.
Advisors
Shaffer, Purdue University.
Subject Area
Political science|Marketing
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